Eastern Faces Rival WMU in Senior Night #MACTION

Football vs. Western Michigan \| SENIOR NIGHT \| #MACTION
Date	Tuesday, Nov. 25 \| 7:30 p.m.
Venue	Rynearson Stadium \| Ypsilanti, Mich.
Preview Info	EMU Notes (PDF) \| Media Guide (PDF) \| Press Conference Video
Watch \| Stats	ESPN2 \| Media Stats
Listen	WEMU (89.1 WEMU-FM) \| The Varsity Network App \| SiriusXM \| Eastern Insider Podcast
Follow Us On X	@EMUFB \| @EMUAthletics
Tickets	Click Here to Purchase YOUR Tickets for SENIOR NIGHT (Nov. 25)!!

YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) – The final shift at The Factory awaits the Eastern Michigan University football team Tuesday, Nov. 25, as the Eagles will play host to rival Western Michigan University inside Rynearson Stadium in Ypsilanti, Mich., in a #MACtion game on Senior Night. The Eagles (4-7, 3-4 Mid-American Conference) and Broncos (7-4, 6-1 MAC) will kickoff at 7:30 p.m. and play before a national television audience on ESPN2 with Courtney Lyle (play-by-play) and Rene Ingoglia (analyst) on the call. The game can be heard live on WEMU (89.1 FM), The Varsity Network app, and SiriusXM with Tom Helmer (play-by-play), Rob Rubick (analyst), and Elena Davis (sideline) on the radio call.

SENIOR SENDOFF
Ahead of the game with WMU, the program will recognize a total of 15 student-athletes with Senior Day festivities starting at 6:50 p.m. The group includes Dodji Dahoue, Tyrelle Deener, Tavierre Dunlap, Donovan Green, Zyell Griffin, Nick Harris, Noah Kim, Terry Lockett Jr., Tyrell Martin, Dontae McMillan, Mickey Rewolinski, Porter Rooks, Mitchell Tomasek, Jesse Vasquez, and Jamarien Wheeler. A summary recap of the seniors can be found on page 49 of these notes.

ONE FOR THE HISTORY BOOKS
Chris Creighton reached a significant milestone with his victory at Ball State, Nov. 15, becoming the 38th FBS head coach on record to earn 200 career wins. His career mark now stands at 200-128 across 29 seasons at Wabash, Ottawa, Drake, and Eastern Michigan, supported by a .609 winning percentage. The achievement places him among the active leaders in major college football, joining K.C. Keeler, Kirk Ferentz, and Willie Fritz. He also becomes the first coach to reach 200 career wins while serving at a MAC institution, adding his name to a select group of MAC-linked coaches who have hit the milestone, including Brian Kelly (Central Michigan), Nick Saban (Toledo), Woody Hayes (Miami), and Don Nehlen (Bowling Green).

CLOSING IN ON 500
Following its 24-9 road win at Ball State (Nov. 15), Eastern Michigan improved to 499-637-47 all-time as a program, leaving it one win away from 500. Should the Eagles defeat Western Michigan Tuesday night, they would become the fourth school this year to reach the 500-victory milestone, joining Temple, Wake Forest, and Rice on the list.

ON THE DEUCE
Eastern Michigan will be playing in a game televised on ESPN2 for just the 10th time and holds a 5-4 record. The last time the Eagles appeared on the channel was a 35-10 loss at Ohio, Nov. 13-2024. Eastern has traded wins and losses in its last four ESPN2 games as well with all four coming on the road. The last time EMU hosted a game on ESPN2 was Nov. 16, 2021, in a 22-21 win over Western Michigan.

DOWN THE STRETCH THEY COME
Eastern Michigan owns a 19-15 MAC record in November since 2016. The program sits in the top half of the league in late-season performance during that stretch, tying for fifth with rival Central Michigan. Wins often come during the final push, and four victories have arrived in the regular season finale. Close games also appear frequently as nine November contests since 2019 have finished within one score. The EMU defense also has stepped up, allowing 24 points or fewer in nine games during November wins.

MAC Records In November Since 2016 (as of 11/19)
1. Miami • 24-8 (.750)
2. Ohio • 25-10 (.714)
3. Toledo • 22-13 (.629)
4. Western Michigan • 21-15 (.583)
t5. Eastern Michigan • 19-15 (.559)
t5. Central Michigan • 19-15 (.559)
7. Buffalo • 17-17 (.500)
8. Northern Illinois • 19-20 (.487)
9. Bowling Green • 15-21 (.416)
10. Kent State • 12-23 (.342)
11. Ball State • 11-25 (.305)
12. Akron • 8-24 (.250)
13. UMass • 0-3 (.000)

HOLD ON TO YOUR RED POP
EMU has made a habit of keeping fans on edge in 2025, playing in six one-possession or overtime games, tied for fourth-most in the nation. Only Arizona State, Iowa State and San Jose State have more, with seven. Tight finishes are nothing new for the Eagles. Since 2016, Eastern has competed in 63 single-score regular-season games, the second-most in the country behind Northern Illinois with 65. The Eagles are 31-32 in those contests, showing a consistent knack for drama and resilience in crunch time.

ALL YOU NEED IS ONE
Eastern is 22-27 all-time in one-point contests. Of those 49 games, five have come against WMU (3-2) which ranks as the second-most behind only the six played against Central Michigan (2-4). The last time the Eagles and Broncos played to a one-point score was Nov. 16, 2021, with the Eagles pulling out a 22-21 home victory.

KNOW THE FOE: WESTERN MICHIGAN
The Broncos enter the game with a 7-4 record and lead the MAC at 6-1 following their 35-19 win at Northern Illinois (Nov. 18). Dual-threat quarterback Broc Lowry leads the way for WMU with 1,472 yards and seven touchdowns through the air and 783 yards and 12 touchdowns on the ground. Nadame Tucker leads the defense with 17.5 TFLs, including 11.0 sacks while three fellow defenders have 60+ tackles on the year.

ALL-TIME VERSUS THE BRONCOS
Eastern trails in its all-time series with Western Michigan, 21-32-2, with the Broncos taking the last two meetings, including a 26-18 decision in Kalamazoo, No. 30, 2024. The Eagles, who dropped a 45-21 decision in the most recent meeting at home (Oct. 28, 2023), are tied with the Broncos when hosting the game, 13-13-1, but hold a slim advantage (13-12-1) when the game is played in Ypsilanti as the 2005 meeting, a 44-36 WMU victory, was an EMU home game played at Ford Field in Detroit. Eastern, who last won a home game with WMU on Nov. 16, 2021, in a 22-21 affair, will look to halt a two-game skid in the series that followed four consecutive EMU victories. The series has been filled with runs by both teams as WMU won three straight (2008-10) before EMU took three in a row (2011-13) with the Broncos taking the next five (2014-18) before the Eagles captured four in a row (2019-22).

CLOSING IT OUT WITH A RIVAL
The game with Broncos will mark the 20th time the Eagles have closed the regular season playing one of their two intrastate rivals and just the eighth time at home. When the regular season finale is played against a fellow Michigan MAC opponent, the Eagles are 6-12-2 overall and 4-1-2 at home. In those games, EMU is 1-7-1 against WMU (1-1-1 at home) and 5-4-1 against Central Michigan (3-0-1 at home). The Eagles and Broncos, who met in Kalamazoo to close out the 2024 regular season, have not meet in Ypsilanti for the finale since Nov. 17, 1984, a 24-14 EMU victory. Coupled with games against CMU, Eastern has won four consecutive regular season finales at home against either CMU or WMU with the last loss coming Nov. 17, 1979, in a 17-7 setback to WMU.

LAST MEETING WITH WESTERN MICHIGAN
Zahir Abdus-Salaam ran for a touchdown and caught another as Western Michigan defeated Eastern Michigan, 26-18, at Waldo Stadium, Nov. 30, 2024, to become bowl eligible, snapping a three-game losing streak. Abdus-Salaam scored on a 22-yard run for a 23-8 lead in the third quarter, and he celebrated by jumping into a snowbank bordering the end zone. The Broncos blocked a punt for safety that started a run of 16 points in under four minutes. Abdus-Salaam scored on a 31-yard screen pass, then Joey Pope recovered a fumble on the ensuing kickoff to set up Jalen Buckley's 15-yard TD run with 19 seconds before the half ended. Delbert Mimms II scored two third-quarter touchdowns for EMU. The teams exchanged field goals for the only fourth-quarter scoring. The Eagles got the ball back with 2:18 remaining, but on their first play, Bilhal Kone intercepted a tipped pass. Eastern Michigan lost its final five games to close the season. Abdus-Salaam rushed for 135 yards and Buckley 103 on 19 carries apiece. Hayden Wolff threw for 126 yards and a score.

LAST TIME HOSTING WESTERN MICHIGAN
Jalen Buckley ran for 138 yards and two touchdowns, and the Western Michigan defense added a pair of safeties and a touchdown, and the Broncos beat Eastern Michigan, 45-21, Oct. 28, 2023. Buckley scored on a pair of short runs, sandwiched around a 20-yard scoring connection between Hayden Wolff and Blake Bosma to give the Broncos a 21-0 lead. Samson Evans scored on a 15-yard run to put the Eagles on the board late in the second quarter. A holding penalty on an Eastern Michigan pass attempt from the end zone in the opening minutes of the third quarter upped the Bronco lead to 23-7, and a sack in the end zone on the last play of the third quarter made it 25-13. Evans scored his second touchdown between the sacks, and Austin Smith connected with Jaylon Jackson for a 68-yard touchdown early in the fourth quarter to make it 32-19.

EMU'S LAST WIN IN THE SERIES
Taylor Powell threw for three touchdowns, Samson Evans ran for three, and Jose Ramirez set an Eastern Michigan record for sacks as the Eagles rolled to a 45-23 win over Western Michigan in Kalamazoo, Oct. 8, 2022. The win for the Eagles was their fourth straight in the series and followed a five-game string by the Broncos, the longest in the 57-game series. Samson opened the scoring with a 2-yard touchdown run, and then Powell hit Dylan Drummond with a 2-yard pass to cap an 11-play, 88-yard drive and a 14-0 lead in the first quarter. Samson added TD runs of 1 and 6 yards in the second quarter. Powell found Darius Lassiter for 38 yards in the second, for a 35-7 halftime lead, and Hassan Beydoun in the third. Ramirez had four of the seven sacks by the defense, which held Western to 91 yards on the ground, just one more yard than Samson had. Powell was 20 of 30 for 293 yards and Lassiter, a junior college transfer, had his first 100-yard game, getting 104 on six catches. Jack Salopek threw for two touchdowns for the Broncos but was just 15 of 40 for 208 yards.

WHAT IS IN THE DATE
Eastern Michigan has a slight but notable history on Nov. 25 as the program has played twice on that date. In 2022, EMU closed the regular season with a 38-19 win over Central Michigan, highlighted by 266 passing yards and three touchdowns. The other came in 2011, a narrow 18-12 road loss at Northern Illinois. Furthermore, Tuesday games have become part of EMU's rhythm. Since 2016, the Eagles have played 12 games on a Tuesday, winning nine. The run includes a 2023 win at Buffalo built on a 70 percent completion rate, a dramatic two overtime victory over Akron that same season, and a 2022 bowl win over San Jose State powered by 298 passing yards and two touchdowns.

TIES BETWEEN EMU AND WMU
Tight ends coach Chris Chestnut will square off against his alma mater Tuesday when Eastern hosts Western. As a junior, Chestnut started all 11 games and was a two-year letterman for the Broncos. He capped his career, which included 30 catches for 412 yards, by earning a captain's role as a senior in 2003. Chestnut was also on staff at WMU, working with the tight ends (2021) and wide receivers (2022). Additionally, EMU Offensive Analyst Mike Hart spent two seasons in Kalamazoo (2014-15), helping Western Michigan earn consecutive bowl bids for the first time in school history in the 2015 Bahamas Bowl and 2014 Famous Idaho Potato Bowl. Hart coached a pair of Broncos' running backs to MAC Freshman of the Year honors after 1,000-yard rushing seasons.
On the flip side, WMU assistant head coach and running backs coach Darren Paige spent the 2019 and 2020 seasons mentoring wide receivers at EMU. In 2020, the wide receivers group accounted for 77 percent of the team's receptions (97-of-126) and 58 percent of the scores (7-of-12). EMU led the nation in red-zone offense and Hassan Beydoun was a Second-Team All-MAC selection. Eastern's offense was electric in 2019 en route to an appearance in the Quick Lane Bowl, amassing 5,271 total yards, 49 touchdowns, and 379 total points. Overall, the EMU offense set the program record for touchdowns in a season (49) and touchdown passes in a season (27). Furthermore, WMU Associate Athletic Trainer Miranda Boucard earned her master's degree at EMU in 2018.

KEEPING A STREAK ALIVE
Eastern Michigan enters Tuesday's matchup with Western Michigan seeking its fifth win of the season. The Eagles are 4-7, one victory away from extending a streak of eight consecutive seasons with at least five wins, the longest such streak in the FBS era for the program. Since 2016 (excluding the COVID-shortened 2020 season), EMU was 7-6 in 2016, 5-7 in 2017, 7-6 in 2018, 6-7 in 2019, 7-6 in 2021, 9-4 in 2022, 6-7 in 2023, and 5-7 in 2024. Before this run, EMU had only eight 5+ win seasons at the FBS level, highlighting the significance of the streak. In comparison, the program's longest historical streaks came in earlier eras: eight consecutive seasons of five or more wins from 1966-73, including 8-2 in 1968 and 7-1-2 in 1971, and four straight 5+ win seasons in the early 1950s. Even the dominant 1920s teams had a notable six-year success with undefeated or near-undefeated campaigns.

MICHIGAN MAC TROPHY FINALE
Tuesday's contest will decide the Michigan MAC Trophy. Given annually to one of the Michigan-based Mid-American Conference institutions (EMU, WMU, CMU), the trophy is awarded to the team with the best head-to-head record against the others. It is one of just two regularly awarded trophies among three teams (the other is the Commander-in-Chief's Trophy between Army, Navy, and Air Force). Originating in 2005, EMU has claimed ownership five times (2007, 2008, 2011, 2012, 2022). WMU has already defeated CMU, 24-21, in Kalamazoo, while the Chippewas edged EMU, 24-13, in Mount Pleasant. With a victory, WMU will earn the trophy as the outright winner; however, an EMU triumph still keeps the trophy in Kalamazoo for the third consecutive season since there would be no outright champion in the three-way series.

TRYING TO BEAT A CHAMPION
Eastern Michigan faces Western Michigan in a matchup with high stakes. The Broncos enter the game with a chance to secure the MAC regular season title and punch their ticket to next week's conference championship game. Historically, EMU has struggled against teams on track to win a conference crown, posting a 4-47 record against such opponents. The Eagles' four wins over eventual conference champions have been hard-fought and memorable, including a 37-34 double-overtime victory over Jacksonville State in 2024, a 48-45 thriller with Central Michigan in 2007, a 31-10 win versus Louisiana in 2005, and, of course, a 30-27 bowl victory over San Jose State in 1987.

ROLLING IN THE RED ZONE
EMU continues to lead the nation in red zone success at a perfect 1.000, tied only with Oklahoma, and no other MAC program matches this output. The offense has finished every trip inside the 20 with points through 11 games and this consistency reflects strong protection, productive early-down gains, and disciplined decision-making. The group sits third in the MAC in total offense at 369.6 yards per game and first in the league in first downs with 222, which supports a steady flow of scoring chances.

EAGLES AMONG MAC & NATIONAL LEADERS
EMU features multiple players inside the national top 50 across major categories, highlighted by updated NCAA data through Nov. 15. Noah Kim stands 26th in passing yards at 2,490, 32nd in completions per game at 20.27, 46th in passing touchdowns with 16, 48th in passing yards per game at 226.4, and 38th in points responsible for with 136, and he leads the MAC in all five categories. Dontae McMillan sits 23rd in rushing yards with 903, 39th in rushing yards per game at 82.1, 46th in yards per carry at 5.44, and 38th in all-purpose yards at 104.73. Nick Devereaux holds 29th nationally in receiving touchdowns with six. Rudy Kessinger ranks 30th in field goals per game at 1.55 and 81st in scoring at 7.1 points per game. Mitchell Tomasek ranks 14th in punting at 46.3 yards per attempt. Jayvin Norman sits 23rd in combined return yards with 415. Bryce Llewellyn stands 67th in fumble recoveries with one and 74th in interceptions with two.

POUND THE ROCK
Dontae McMillan continues to anchor EMU's ground game with four 100-yard rushing performances and ranks 23rd nationally with 903 yards. He averages 82.1 yards per game and 5.44 per carry, which places him inside the national top 50 and third in the MAC, and his early down production remains central to EMU's offensive rhythm. He averages 5.7 yards per carry on first down and keeps the offense in manageable situations that support the program's perfect red zone record. His 100-yard efforts against Louisiana, Buffalo, Northern Illinois, and Bowling Green coincide with three EMU wins.

CLOSING IN ON 1,000
Dontae McMillan has 903 rushing yards this season and needs 97 more to become the 15th Eastern Michigan player to reach 1,000 in a year. The milestone would place him alongside past program leaders such as Anthony Sherrell, who set the record with 1,531 yards in 2003, and Samson Evans, who produced 1,166 yards in 2022.

McMILLAN CRASHING CENTURY MARKS
Dontae McMillan has put together an outstanding season on the ground as the senior running back finished the game with Bowling Green (Nov. 8) with 100 yards rushing on 19 carries with one score, marking the fourth time in 2025 he has eclipsed the 100-yard mark after rushing for 126 yards against Louisiana, 117 at Buffalo, and 104 against Northern Illinois. With those four games, he doubled his career total to eight after posting four with Weber State with one each in the 2020 and 2021 seasons before adding two in the 2022 season ahead of his transfer to EMU. All told, his four, 100-yard games this year are tied for the ninth-most in a single season in program history with seven other players, including Samson Evans, who was the last Eagle to add his name to the list with four games in 2022. Anthony Sherrell (2003) leads the way with nine games. If McMillan were able to record over 100 yards in his final two games of 2025, his six games would tie him for third on the list.

GOING STREAKING
The Eagles have had a 100-yard player in each of its last six games with Jamarien Wheeler extending the streak with his 131 yards and one touchdown on six catches at Ball State, Nov. 15. The streak began with Dontae McMillan rushing for 117 yards at Buffalo (Oct. 4) before adding 104 yards against Northern Illinois (Oct. 11). Harold Mack Jr. and Nick Devereaux continued the streak with the first 100-yard games of their careers as they pulled in 179 yards at Miami (Oct. 18) and 121 yards against Ohio (Oct. 25), respectively. McMillan made it five consecutive game as he finished with exactly 100 yards against Bowling Green (Nov. 8) before Wheeler added his name to the list.
Overall, the six-game streak is tied for the fourth-longest single-season run in program history with the eight games posted in the 2003 season holding the mark. With another 100-yard game against Western Michigan, the streak would move into a tie for second with the 1971 and 2004 squads. Lastly, the current streak is the longest by a Chris Creighton-led EMU team, surpassing the four-game streaks posted in 2016, 2019, and 2021.

CENTURY PRODUCTION AGAINST THE MAC
Through the game at Ball State (Nov. 15), Eastern has tallied 244 of the program's 375 100-yard games against the current members of the MAC, which equates to 65.1 percent of all such instances. The 131 receiving yards from Jamarien Wheeler marked the 36th time the Eagles have had a 100-yard player against Ball State, the most of any school the Eagles have played. The Eagles have posted 27 games against Western Michigan, which ranks third-most in program history, with Delbert Mimms III tallying the most recent instance with 127 rushing yards in Kalamazoo last year (Nov. 30, 2024).

MAC 100
Eastern has tallied seven 100-yard performances this year, which ranks fourth among all MAC schools with Ohio (12), Buffalo (nine) and Toledo (eight) ahead of the Eagles. Eastern has spread the wealth on its 100-yard games as four different players have contributed to the total, which ties for the third-highest total in the league behind the five players each from Ohio and Central Michigan. Overall, when it comes to 100-yard receiving games, the three Eagles on the list lead the MAC with six schools having two different receivers with 100-yard games in 2025.

EFFICIENCY IN CONTROL, NOT VOLUME
Eastern Michigan ranks 79th nationally in total offense at 369.6 yards per game, but the group continues to outperform its raw yardage with strong possessional efficiency. The Eagles stand 50th in third-down conversions at 42.5 percent and 50th in fourth-down efficiency at 58.8 percent, and they lead the MAC in first downs with 222. The offensive line supports this performance with national ranks of 11th in sacks allowed at 0.91 per game and ninth in tackles for loss allowed at 3.64. These strengths help EMU keep drives alive and convert opportunities at the highest clip in the country.

SPREADING THE WEALTH
Noah Kim distributed the ball across a deep, versatile receiving corps in 2025, completing 223 passes to 15 players and preventing defenses from keying on a single target. Joshua Long (35) and Nick Devereaux (32) lead the team in receptions, but significant contributions came from Harold Mack Jr., Terry Lockett Jr., Dontae McMillan, and Jamarien Wheeler, particularly in first-down and chain-moving situations. Devereaux generated 20 first downs and six touchdowns, including 12 receptions on third-long plays producing eight first downs and two scores, while Long added 15 first downs and three touchdowns, and Mack and McMillan contributed eight and seven first downs, respectively.

DEVEREAUX DEVELOPING
Entering the season, Nick Devereaux had recorded one reception for seven yards in his FBS career with the Eagles with the lone grab coming in the season finale at Western Michigan in 2024. Fast forward to this week and Devereaux has had the ultimate Dev-elopment as he leads the team with 503 yards and six scores while ranking second in receptions with 31. In fact, his six scoring grabs are tied for the team lead with Noah Kim's six rushing scores. Overall, Devereaux has tallied 36 points for the Eagles with only kicker Rudy Kessinger ahead of him with 78 points this year.

WHEELER IN ON THE FUN
Jamarien Wheeler had a career day at Ball State (Nov. 15) as the wide receiver pulled in 131 yards on six grabs with one touchdown to not only smash his career numbers but also become the 67th different EMU player to finish a game with 100+ yards receiving. Wheeler, who tallied the 145th game of 100-yards or more receiving in program history, blasted his previous bests as he entered the game with highs of four catches, 32 yards, and one score. Additionally, he entered the game with 13 catches, 109 yards, and one touchdown for his entire career.

HISTORIC DEBUT FOR MACK
Freshman wide receiver Harold Mack Jr. entered the Miami game (Oct. 25) without a single career reception but ended the day with six catches for 179 yards and two touchdowns. His 179 yards marked the 142nd 100-yard receiving game in Eastern Michigan history and tied for the 17th-highest total on record. Mack became the first EMU player to post 100+ receiving yards against Miami since Dieuly Aristilde had 193 yards on Oct. 29, 2016.

RARE COMPANY AMONG FRESHMEN
Harold Mack Jr. became the first EMU freshman in nine years to record a 100-yard receiving game and only the fifth since 1995. He also joined an exclusive group of EMU freshmen to catch two touchdown passes in a single contest, becoming just the fifth player to do so in the past 30 seasons.

EMU Frosh w/100+ Yards Receiving (since 1995)
1. Dieuly Aristilde • 193 yds • 10-29-16 vs. Miami
2. Harold Mack • 179 yds • 10-18-25 at Miami
3. Eddie Daugherty • 109 yds • 9-26-15 vs. Army
4. Dieuly Aristilde • 107 yds • 11-8-16 at Ball State
5. Eddie Daugherty • 107 yds • 10-10-15 vs. Akron
6. Eddie Daugherty • 105 yds • 9-12-15 at Wyoming

NATIONAL AND CONFERENCE IMPACT
Harold Mack Jr.'s 179-yard effort, at the time, stood as the highest by any FBS freshman wide receiver this season as it surpassed Michigan's Andrew Marsh (136 yards vs. USC). Since then, two rookies have overtaken Mack Jr. for the nationally lead amongst freshman with both games taking place last week as Marcel Williams had 206 yards for Akron against rival Kent State while Andrew Marsh posted 189 yards for Michigan at Northwestern.

DUAL THREAT THROUGH THE AIR
EMU featured a rare two-receiver performance at Miami (Oct. 25) as Harold Mack Jr. and Nick Devereaux each hauled in two touchdown receptions. It marked only the fifth time since 1995 that two EMU players have caught multiple touchdown passes in the same game. The last occurrence came on Nov. 11, 2011, when Demarius Reed and Garrett Hoskins each scored twice against Buffalo.

EMU Games w/ Two Receivers w/ Multiple TDs (since 1995)
Oct. 18, 2025 at Miami • Harold Mack / Nick Devereaux
Nov. 11, 2011 vs. Buffalo • Demarius Reed / Garrett Hoskins
Oct. 13, 2007 at Ohio • Jacory Stone / Tyler Jones
Nov. 8, 1997 at NIU • Brandon Campbell / Ta-if Kumasi
Oct. 21, 1995 at Ball State • Ryan Wheatley / Steve Clay
~ Each receiver listed caught two touchdowns in the game

KIM COLLECTING K'S
Noah Kim finished the game with Ohio (Oct. 25) with 259 yards passing and two scores which brought his season total to 2,051, the 17th-most in a single season in program history. Kim became the 11th different player at EMU to reach the milestone and marked the 18th time in the program's 134-year history an EMU quarterback has thrown for 2,000+ yards in a single season. Including his totals from his time with Michigan State and Coastal Carolina, Kim reached another milestone in the game at Ball State as his 229 passing yards against the Cardinals brought his career total to 4,087.

STABILITY UNDER CENTER
Noah Kim is poised to become just the sixth EMU QB to start every contest dating back to 2004. Kim, who has 11 in 2025, joins Cole Snyder (2024), Preston Hutchinson (2020), Brogan Roback (2017), Alex Gillett (2010-11), and Matt Bohnet (2004) as the other EMU signal callers to do so. Heading into the season finale, Kim has tallied 2,682 total yards (passing+rushing), leaving him 318 from becoming the sixth different EMU player to record 3,000 total yards in a single season.

SLINGING IT
Noah Kim has tallied 17 passing touchdowns in 2025, which leads the MAC and continues more than double his career total of 13 (nine at Michigan State (2022-23) and four last year with Coastal Carolina). Kim is currently eighth on the program's single-season ledger with Brogan Roback holding the next two positions on the list with 19 in 2017 and 18 in 2016. Should Kim throw for three touchdowns against Western Michigan, he would become only the fifth EMU signal caller to reach 20+ in a single season.

KIM JOINS ELITE PASSING COMPANY
Noah Kim threw for 309 yards and four touchdowns against Miami (Oct. 18), becoming only the eighth EMU player since 1995 to record at least 300 passing yards and four touchdown passes in a single game. Kim joined a select group that includes Walter Church (1998), Kainoa Akina (2001), Troy Edwards (2002), Matt Bohnet (2004, 2005), Andy Schmitt (2008), and Tyler Benz (2012). His performance marked the first such effort by an EMU quarterback in 13 seasons and the program's first on the road since Church's 439-yard outing at Western Michigan on Oct. 17, 1998.

EMU QBs Since 1995 with 300+ Yards Passing and 4 TDs
Noah Kim at Miami (10/18/25) • 20-36, 309yds (4TD)
Tyler Benz vs. Army (10/20/12) • 19-13, 369yds (5TD)
Andy Schmitt vs. CMU (11/28/08) • 58-80, 516yds (5TD)
Matt Bohnet vs. WMU (11/5/05) • 40-48, 399yds (4TD)
Matt Bohnet vs. CMU (11/6/04) • 31-54, 367yds (4TD)
Troy Edwards vs. Akron (10/5/02) • 25-39, 390yds (4TD)
Kainoa Akina at Akron (11/24/01) • 27-50, 392yds (6TD)
Walter Church at WMU (10/17/98) • 24-37, 439yds (4TD)

ONE IF BY LAND...
While Noah Kim has shown off his arm strength, he also featured his legs. Entering the game at Kentucky (Sept. 13), Kim had never tallied a rushing touchdown and proceeded to not only record his first rushing scoring against the Wildcats, but followed with a land-based touchdown in four consecutive games, a streak that ended in the game with NIU (Oct. 11). All told, Kim has added rushing touchdowns in the games with Ohio (Oct. 25) and Ball State (Nov. 15) to bring his season total to six, which leads the team in rushing scores and ties for the team's overall lead with Nick Devereaux' six receiving touchdowns scored.

EFFICIENCY UNDER PRESSURE
While Noah Kim's raw totals (2,261 yards, 15 TDs, 61.7% completion) lead the MAC, his statistical profile reveals a more complex picture of quarterback efficiency. EMU's protection unit ranks 13th nationally in sacks allowed (1.00 per game) and 10th in tackles for loss allowed (3.7 per game), giving Kim one of the cleanest pockets in the FBS. His turnover rate (six interceptions in 332 attempts) ranks among the lowest in the league, supporting EMU's top-10 national ranking in fewest turnovers lost. His situational passing on third downs (completing 63% in third-down conversion scenarios) has driven EMU's ability to extend drives, making him a model of low-risk, high-efficiency quarterback play within a balanced offensive system.

HELPING HOGS
EMU's offensive line continues to shape the program's profile in 2025. The group ranks first in the MAC and 11th nationally in sacks allowed at 0.91 per game, which reflects steady protection for the quarterback. The line also sits first in the MAC and ninth nationally in tackles for loss allowed at 3.64 per game, placing the unit among the most effective in the country at limiting negative plays. The discipline extends to penalties: EMU averages 5.73 penalties per game and 50.55 penalty yards, ranking 46th and 50th nationally, respectively.

TAKE CARE
EMU continues to stand among the national leaders in ball security. The team has lost one fumble, which ties for the national lead, and ranks 12th nationally in turnovers lost with nine giveaways. That total is the best in the MAC.

SPECIAL TEAMS STEPPING UP
Field position remains a key strength for EMU despite the team's overall defensive ranking. Mitchell Tomasek averages 46.3 yards per punt and ranks 14th nationally, and EMU's net punting mark of 39.92 yards ranks third in the MAC. Strong punting and coverage help opponents begin drives near their own 29-yard line and limit short fields. Rudy Kessinger has added steady production with 1.55 field goals per game and 7.1 points per game, which rank second and fourth in the MAC, respectively, and his consistency supports EMU's perfect red zone performance.

KESSINGER CLIMBINGS
Rudy Kessinger has scored 17 field goals in 2025, which currently ties for the sixth-most in a single season in program history with both Toller Starnes (1999). Should Kessinger make three more field goals over the final two games of the season, he would become only the third Eagle to reach 20 in a season, joining record holder Andrew Wellock (21 in 2004) and Jesus Gomez (20 in 2022).

KESSINGER'S IMPACT
Rudy Kessinger has made an immediate impact as a freshman kicker for Eastern Michigan, converting 17 of 23 field goal attempts for a 73.9% success rate while also connecting on all 27 extra points through the first 11 games of the season. His longest field goal of 50 yards demonstrates both range and confidence in high-pressure situations, giving the Eagles a reliable scoring option from distance. Kessinger's total of 78 points ranks among the top single-season performances in program history for a freshman, putting him in company with standout kickers like Andrew Wellock, who hit 21 field goals at 91.3% in 2004, and Chad Ryland, who went perfect on extra points in 2021. Kessinger is currently tied for 12th on the single-season scoring list and is the 12th different Eagles to reach 78 points in a single season in program history.

KICKING CAREER
Mitchell Tomasek has made his way into the program's all-time top five in career punting yardage as he reached the 9,000-yard milestone for his career as his six punts for 292 yards against Ohio brought his career total to 9,136 yards, the fifth-best in program history. Tomasek became only the sixth player in EMU history to surpass 9,000 yards for his career and the first since Jake Julien (2017-21) finished his time in Ypsilanti with 9,726 yards. His 48.7 yards per punt average against the Bobcats marked the fourth time this year he has averaged 48.7 or more yards and brought his career total to six on a list of 16 total entries.

PULLING OUT THE DRIVER
Mitchell Tomasek has hit 58 of his 204 career punts for 50+ yards (28.4%), including 13 over 60 yards, while recording just 17 touchbacks (8.6%). For his career, Tomasek has recorded a best of 72 yards at Jacksonville State (Sept. 23, 2023) while hitting a 70-yarder at home against Ball State (Oct. 7, 2023). He has recorded at least three punts of 62 yards or better in all three seasons he has played for the Eagles and is one away already from making four consecutive years after recording punts of 63 and 62-yards at Texas State. Overall, he is averaging 44.6 yards per punt over his career, which ranks as the best in program history and makes him one of only two punters to average 44.0+ with Jake Julien (2017-21) joining him at 44.0.

ADD ANOTHER 50 FOR TOMASEK
Mitchell Tomasek will add another 50 to his totals when takes the field against Western Michigan and that will happen before the punt yardage is tabulated. By participating in the contest, Tomasek will make his 50th career appearance for the Eagles, which will tie for the ninth-most appearances in program history. The 11th different player to represent the Green and White in 50 games, Tomasek will tie with Vince Calhoun (2016-19) and Gunnar Oaks (2018-22) on the list and rank second among punters with only Jake Julien's 54 appearances from 2017-21 ranking higher (tied for third).

STINGY DEFENSE
EMU's defense has taken control in the late-season stretch, holding Ball State to 225 yards while following up on a performance against Bowling Green, where the Eagles limited their opponent to 258 yards. This marks the first time since 2018 that EMU has held consecutive teams under 260 yards. Back then, the Eagles stifled Central Michigan to 138 yards on Nov. 3 and Akron to just 101 yards on Nov. 10, both at home. Since 1995, Eastern has held opponents to 225 yards or fewer 10 times.
Against Ball State, the defense forced an interception, allowing just 13 completions on 22 attempts. Bowling Green managed slightly more yardage, 259, but the Eagles again created a turnover while keeping the passing game in check at 11-of-15 for one touchdown and a pick. In 2024, St. Francis (PA) managed only 154 total yards with three turnovers, while in 2022, Central Michigan gained 229 yards but coughed up three turnovers. In 2018, Akron and Central Michigan were held to 101 and 138 yards, respectively, with four.

DEFENSE SURGING
EMU's defense has transformed over the last six weeks, shifting from a reactive unit to one that controls the game and dictates momentum. Opponents averaged 494.6 yards per game in EMU's first five contests of the season. From Oct. 4 through Nov. 15, that number dropped to 357.3 yards per game, a 27.8% reduction. The team has consistently forced opponents into shorter drives, limiting big plays and third-down conversions. The pass rush became a defining feature of the improvement. In the early part of the season, EMU recorded 0.4 sacks per game. Over the last six contests, that number jumped to 2.0 per game, a 400% increase. Tackles for loss grew modestly from 4.0 to 4.3 per game, showing that the defensive line and linebackers were consistently disrupting the backfield. Turnovers also rose sharply. Forced fumbles and interceptions increased from an average of 0.2 per game to 0.5 per game, giving the offense more opportunities and better field position. Several games illustrate the trend. At Buffalo, EMU recorded multiple sacks and forced a key turnover that set the tone for the defensive lift. Against Bowling Green, the defense held opponents to 259 total yards. The following week at Ball State, the defense allowed just 225 total yards.

LLEWELLYN LEADING
Linebacker Bryce Llewellyn anchors the defense, ranking 35th nationally and fourth in the MAC with 8.5 tackles per game while adding a team-best two interceptions. His leadership has been vital for a defense seeking growth down the stretch. Combined with EMU's national top-15 ranking in fewest turnovers lost, this discipline and individual effort reflect a program built on resilience and focus despite its record. With 93 total tackles, Llewellyn is seven away from reaching 100 and would become the first Eagle since 2023 to post 100+ stops after Chase Kline recorded 143.

WHERE'S THE MAC-COON?
Bryce Llewellyn recorded his second interception of the year, setting up Rudy Kessinger's 28-yard field goal that gave the Eagles a 16-10 lead over Northern Illinois, Oct. 11. Llewellyn has accounted for two of EMU's seven interceptions and the team has converted turnovers into six points this season, including a 42-yard field goal at Buffalo, Oct. 4, following a sack-fumble. Under Chris Creighton, EMU has consistently turned defensive stops into scoring opportunities. Since 2014, the Eagles have forced one, two, or more turnovers in 99 games, generating multiple scoring chances that have ranged from three points off a single takeaway to 12 points when the defense created multiple turnovers in a game.

ALWAYS A GOOD TIME FOR THE FIRST
Joshua Scott got into the interception game as he picked a Ball State pass in the first quarter (Nov. 15) to become the sixth different Eagle with an interception this year. While he is the latest to add his name to the list, he the only one that entered the season with a previous interception as Bryce Llewellyn (vs. Louisiana), Caleb Dobbs (vs. Louisiana), Juan Salas, Jr. (vs. Ohio), Tyrelle Deener (vs. Ohio), and Barry Manning (vs. BG) each have recorded picks this year with each being the first of their FBS careers.

ALWAYS WEAR A SEATBELT
Joshua Scott tallied an interception at Ball State (Nov. 15) to bring his career total to four. Adding in his 14 career pass break-ups, Scott has recorded 18 PBUs as an Eagle, a total that ranks eighth in program history (since 1998). Should Scott record two passes defended against Western Michigan on Senior Night, he would become only the seventh Eagle to reach 20 in his career and the first to join the list since Kempton Shine (2019-23), who had 26 PBUs and one interception.

PICKING UP THE PACE
Through the first six games of the year, the EMU defense was limited to 4.0 sacks with Carter Evans leading the way with 1.5 at Buffalo. In the last three games, the Eagles have tallied 5.0, including 2.0 sacks in each of the past two contests. In the game with Bowling Green (Nov. 8), Sterling Miles got things started with his first of the year and first since the 2024 game at Kent State (Sept. 28) before Ronn Hardin recorded the first of his FBS career on the final play of the game to prevent BGSU from tying the game as EMU won, 27-21.

UPPER HALF
Since 2016, Eastern has posted 58 wins, which ranks as the sixth-most victories of any team in the MAC.
78 • Toledo
74 • Ohio
66 • Western Michigan
64 • Miami
60 • Buffalo
58 • Eastern Michigan
53 • Central Michigan
53 • Northern Illinois
44 • Ball State
39 • Bowling Green
33 • Kent State
29 • Akron
18 • UMass
* updated through 2025 Week 11 (Nov. 11-15) games

SINGLE SCORES
Since the start of the 2016 season, Eastern is second nationally with 63 one-score games played, sitting behind Northern Illinois (65).
1. Northern Illinois - 65 (31-34)
2. Eastern Michigan - 63 (31-32)
3. Texas - 62 (29-33)
4. Iowa State - 61 (27-34)
5. Nebraska - 60 (19-41)
6. Kansas State - 57 (27-30)
7. North Carolina - 55 (23-32)
8. Arizona State - 52 (29-23)
8. TCU - 52 (26-26)
8. California - 52 (22-30)
8. Tulsa - 52 (23-29)

MAKING DEBUTS • TRANSFERS
Eastern has seen 34 players take their first snaps with the team this years with 21 transfers (20 in 2025 and one from 2024) on that list, including: Kadin Bailey, Duke Clayton, Caleb Coley, Nathan Dibert, Caleb Dobbs, Tavierre Dunlap, Makhi Gilbert, Ronn Hardin, Nick Harris, James Jointer Jr., Noah Kim, Tanner Lemaster, Joshua Long, Ja'Quel Mack, Andrew Marshall, James Monds III, Marco Patierno, Benson Prosper, Porter Rooks, Juan Salas Jr., and Warren-Stevens Tayou.

ON THE STARTING LINE
Through the Ball State game (Nov. 15), 24 different players have earned their first starts with the Eagles. The 24 players to earn starts with Eastern this year include: Messiah Blair, Tylan Boykin, Dodji Dahoue, Nick Devereaux, Caleb Dobbs, Tavierre Dunlap, Bryce Eliuk, Nicholas Gallegos, Makhi Gilbert, Hector Gonzalez, Ronn Hardin, Noah Kim, Bryce Llewellyn, Joshua Long, Andrew Marshall, Jason Marshall, Joey Mattord, Juan Salas, Sterling Miles, Benson Prosper, Donmiel Rogers, Porter Rooks, Terrance Saunders, and Owen Snively.

2025 Most First-Time Starters
25- Bowling Green
24 - Eastern Michigan
17 - Louisiana Tech
16 - Navy
15 - Syracuse
14 - UTSA
13 - Old Dominion, NC State
12 - Fresno State, Oregon

MAKING DEBUTS • FRESHMEN
Twelve freshmen have seen their first collegiate playing time this season with redshirt freshman Javon Thomas taking the field at Kentucky. He joins the list of first-year players that also includes: Tylan Boykin, Quincy Byas, Marvell Eggelston Jr., Antonio Floyd, Reggie Gardner, Hector Gonzalez, Ray Hester, Rudy Kessinger, Harold Mack Jr., Zah'eed Pierre, and Donmiel Rogers.

BOWL APPEARANCES
Since 2016, 12-of-13 current MAC teams have played in at least one bowl, with the Eagles appearing in six, which ranks tied for third-most with Miami while Ohio and Toledo lead the way with seven.
7 • Ohio, Toledo
6 • Eastern Michigan, Miami
5 • Buffalo, Northern Illinois, Western Michigan
4 • Central Michigan
3 • Bowling Green
2 • Ball State, Kent State
1 • Akron
0 • UMass (only bowl was 1964)

THEY HAVE THE TOUCH
Over the past 11 seasons (2014-24), the Eagles' 26 blocked kicks have them tied for third-most among all teams in the MAC as Eastern, Miami, and Toledo are one off the pace set by both Central Michigan and Northern Illinois, who each have 27. Over that span, Eastern has tallied at least one block in nine consecutive years (20 blocks) with Akron next with six consecutive years (8). EMU is one of three schools (CMU and Toledo) that has recorded at least one block in 10-of-11 seasons during the current span.

NO KICKING ZONE
Since taking over the program in 2014, Chris Creighton's teams have blocked 26 kicks, including at least one in each of the past nine consecutive years. In 2024, the Eagles blocked four kicks, the second-highest total for the team under Creighton behind only the six blocks tallied in 2014. Last year, Eastern blocked one punt and one point-after try at Washington (Sept. 7), blocked a punt and returned it for a touchdown at home against St. Francis (Sept. 21), and blocked a 31-yard field goal attempt at Ohio (Nov. 13). The four blocks tied for the MAC lead with Northern Illinois while ranking sixth among all NCAA FBS teams. Overall, in the 11 seasons under Creighton, EMU has blocked 10 field goal attempts, 10 punts with five being returned for touchdowns, and six extra-point attempts with one returned for a two-point defensive score.

EARLY DRIVES SET THE TONE
Eastern Michigan's opening-drive results over the past two seasons show mixed outcomes on both sides of the ball. Offensively, the Eagles scored on four of 20 first-half drives, producing three touchdowns and one field goal, while most ended in punts or turnovers. Second-half starts showed a slight improvement, with five scoring drives in 20 opportunities, including four touchdowns, though 10 ended in punts. The most recent came against Central Michigan, Sept. 27, marking EMU's first second-half opening-drive touchdown since the 2024 season finale at Western Michigan, Nov. 30. Defensively, opponents found success on scripted series. Seven of 20 first-half drives resulted in touchdowns, with the same number coming on second-half opening possessions. EMU forced 17 combined stops across both halves, highlighted by takeaways against Toledo and Ohio and a missed field goal by LIU.

AYE, AYE CAPTAINS!
EMU will be led by five captains in 2025. Following a vote of the current roster, the players selected Jefferson Adam, Dramarian McNulty, Noah Kim, Zach Mowchan, and Mickey Rewolinski to serve as captains this year.

ON THE HORIZON
Eastern Michigan's 2025 season has come to an end. The program will turn its attention toward the future with National Signing Day taking place Dec. 3 and the opening of the transfer portal in early 2026.

Football vs. Western Michigan \| SENIOR NIGHT \| #MACTION
Date	Tuesday, Nov. 25 \| 7:30 p.m.
Venue	Rynearson Stadium \| Ypsilanti, Mich.
Preview Info	EMU Notes (PDF) \| Media Guide (PDF) \| Press Conference Video
Watch \| Stats	ESPN2 \| Media Stats
Listen	WEMU (89.1 WEMU-FM) \| The Varsity Network App \| SiriusXM \| Eastern Insider Podcast
Follow Us On X	@EMUFB \| @EMUAthletics
Tickets	Click Here to Purchase YOUR Tickets for SENIOR NIGHT (Nov. 25)!!

Eastern Michigan Athletics

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Players Mentioned

Jefferson Adam

Kadin Bailey

Messiah Blair

Tylan Boykin

Quincy Byas

Duke Clayton

Caleb Coley

Dodji Dahoue

Tyrelle Deener

Nick Devereaux

Nathan Dibert

Caleb Dobbs

Tavierre Dunlap

Bryce Eliuk

Carter Evans

Antonio Floyd

Nicholas Gallegos

Reggie Gardner

Makhi Gilbert

Hector Gonzalez

Donovan Green

Zyell Griffin

Ronn Hardin

Nick Harris

Ray Hester

Rudy Kessinger

Noah Kim

Tanner Lemaster

Bryce Llewellyn

Terry Lockett Jr.

Joshua Long

Harold Mack

Ja'Quel Mack

Barry Manning

Andrew Marshall

Jason Marshall

Tyrell Martin

Joey Mattord

Dontae McMillan

Dramarian McNulty

Sterling Miles

Delbert Mimms III

James Monds III

Zach Mowchan

Jayvin Norman

Marco Patierno

Zah'eed Pierre

Benson Prosper

Mickey Rewolinski

Donmiel Rogers

Porter Rooks

Juan Salas

Terrance Saunders

Joshua Scott

Owen Snively

Cole Snyder

Warren-Stevens Tayou

Javon Thomas

Mitchell Tomasek

Jesse Vasquez

Jamarien Wheeler

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