Eastern Michigan Athletics
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Kessinger Named MAC Special Teams Player of the Week
10/12/2026 11:00:00 AM | Football
Kicker was a perfect 4-of-4 on field goals at Akron in the win
CLEVELAND, Ohio (EMUEagles.com) — The Mid-American Conference announced its weekly football awards today, Oct. 12, with Rudy Kessinger earning MAC Special Teams Player of the Week honors following his perfect kicking performance in Eastern Michigan University's 25-23 win at Akron, Oct. 10.
Kessinger (Columbus, Ohio/Bishop Watterson) was a major factor in the Eagles' 25-23 victory over the Zips as the third-year kicker recorded a perfect 4-of-4 field goal performance while adding one extra point for 13 points. Kessinger was good from 23, 22, 33, and 48 yards, with the latter standing as the game-winning kick as he gave EMU the two-point lead with under two minutes to play. Kessinger delivered one of the most efficient kicking performances in Eastern Michigan history as he set career highs in field goals made, surpassing his previous best of three, and tied the second-highest single-game total in program history. Since 1995, Kessinger is only the fourth EMU kicker to make at least four field goals in a game without a miss. Chad Ryland accomplished the feat twice, including a program-record five field goals against Western Michigan on Nov. 16, 2021. Ryland also went 4-for-4 at WMU on Dec. 5, 2020, while Andrew Wellock made four against Western Illinois on Sept. 4, 2003. Kessinger's performance marked the first perfect four-field-goal game by an Eagle in nearly five years. He currently ranks 19th nationally and tied the MAC lead with nine field goals this year.
The honor is Kessinger's first of the year and the third of his career, after he was recognized twice during the 2025 season. His award is the fourth of the season for the Eagles after Noah Kim (Centreville, Va./Westfield/Michigan State/Coastal Carolina), Zach Mowchan (Dillsburg, Pa./Northern York), and Nick Devereaux (Troy, Mich./Brother Rice/Davenport) were named the offensive, defensive, and special teams honorees, respectively, following the opening-week win over Sacramento State (Aug. 29).
MAC Weekly Football Honors • Week 6 • Oct. 12
Offense • Broc Lowry (Western Michigan, QB)
Defense • Michael Molnar (Ohio, LB)
Special Teams • Rudy Kessinger (Eastern Michigan, PK)
2026 MAC Weekly Football Honors • Eastern Michigan
Offense
Aug. 31 • Noah Kim
Defense
Aug. 31 • Zach Mowchan
Special Teams
Aug. 31 • Nick Devereaux
Oct. 12 • Rudy Kessinger
Kessinger (Columbus, Ohio/Bishop Watterson) was a major factor in the Eagles' 25-23 victory over the Zips as the third-year kicker recorded a perfect 4-of-4 field goal performance while adding one extra point for 13 points. Kessinger was good from 23, 22, 33, and 48 yards, with the latter standing as the game-winning kick as he gave EMU the two-point lead with under two minutes to play. Kessinger delivered one of the most efficient kicking performances in Eastern Michigan history as he set career highs in field goals made, surpassing his previous best of three, and tied the second-highest single-game total in program history. Since 1995, Kessinger is only the fourth EMU kicker to make at least four field goals in a game without a miss. Chad Ryland accomplished the feat twice, including a program-record five field goals against Western Michigan on Nov. 16, 2021. Ryland also went 4-for-4 at WMU on Dec. 5, 2020, while Andrew Wellock made four against Western Illinois on Sept. 4, 2003. Kessinger's performance marked the first perfect four-field-goal game by an Eagle in nearly five years. He currently ranks 19th nationally and tied the MAC lead with nine field goals this year.
The honor is Kessinger's first of the year and the third of his career, after he was recognized twice during the 2025 season. His award is the fourth of the season for the Eagles after Noah Kim (Centreville, Va./Westfield/Michigan State/Coastal Carolina), Zach Mowchan (Dillsburg, Pa./Northern York), and Nick Devereaux (Troy, Mich./Brother Rice/Davenport) were named the offensive, defensive, and special teams honorees, respectively, following the opening-week win over Sacramento State (Aug. 29).
MAC Weekly Football Honors • Week 6 • Oct. 12
Offense • Broc Lowry (Western Michigan, QB)
Defense • Michael Molnar (Ohio, LB)
Special Teams • Rudy Kessinger (Eastern Michigan, PK)
2026 MAC Weekly Football Honors • Eastern Michigan
Offense
Aug. 31 • Noah Kim
Defense
Aug. 31 • Zach Mowchan
Special Teams
Aug. 31 • Nick Devereaux
Oct. 12 • Rudy Kessinger
Players Mentioned
Monday, October 12
Sunday, October 11
Sunday, October 11
Sunday, October 11