Eastern Michigan Athletics
Saturday, October 24
Athens, Ohio
4 p.m.
Eastern Michigan University
at
Ohio
Photo by: Walt Middleton Photography
Football Set for Road Showdown at Ohio
10/19/2026 2:52:00 PM | Football
Eagles will look to halt the nation’s longest home winning streak
| Football at Ohio | |
| Date | Saturday, Oct. 24 | 4 p.m. ET |
| Venue | Peden Stadium | 24,000 | Athens, Ohio |
| Preview Info | EMU Notes (PDF) | Media Guide (PDF) | Press Conference Video |
| Watch | Stats | ESPNU | Live Stats |
| Listen | WEMU (89.1 WEMU-FM) | The Varsity Network App | SiriusXM |
| Follow Us On X | @EMUFB | @EMUAthletics |
| Tickets | Purchase Your Tickets HERE! |
ATHENS, Ohio (EMUEagles.com) -- The Eastern Michigan University football team hits the road this week for its final Saturday contest of the 2026 regular season as the Eagles will look to bounce back from a Homecoming loss when they visit the University of Ohio, Oct. 24, inside Peden Stadium in Athens, Ohio. The Eagles (4-4, 3-1 MAC) suffered their first Mid-American Conference loss with their 34-14 setback to Toledo last week while the Bobcats (5-2, 3-0 MAC) moved into a tie for the top spot in the league standings with their 48-7 road win at Sacramento State.
TUNE IN
The Mid-American Conference clash between EMU and Ohio will be aired live on ESPNU with Doug Sherman (play-by-play) and Tyoka Jackson (analyst) on the call. The Voice of the Eagles, Tom Helmer, is back on the air with play-by-play calls on WEMU (89.1 FM) with Rob Rubick joining him in the booth to break down all the action that can be heard live on WEMU.org, The Varsity Network app, and SiriusXM.
THE YPSI 500
Eastern Michigan secured its 500th all-time victory with its 28-17 win over visiting Sacramento State, Aug. 29, inside Rynearson Stadium for both team's season and Mid-American Conference opener. Standing 4-4 this year following their Homecoming loss to Toledo (Oct. 17), 34-14, the Eagles hold a record of 503-641-47 all-time with their victory over the Hornets making them the 111th different FBS program to reach the 500-win milestone.
GOING LIVE ON YEAR 135
The 2026 season marks the 135th varsity campaign for Eastern Michigan and its 51st as a member of the Mid-American Conference. EMU, then known as Michigan State Normal School, played its first game, Oct. 21, 1891, and has played at least two games every calendar year since then with the exception of 1944 (World War II).
EMU IN THE NATIONAL RANKINGS
Eastern Michigan is led offensively by quarterback Noah Kim, who has thrown for 1,678 yards and 11 touchdowns while averaging 206.9 yards of total offense per game. Kim leads the Mid-American Conference with 21.13 completions per game and ranks second in passing yards and touchdowns. The Eagles lead the MAC with 159 first downs and rank fourth in third-down conversion percentage at 41.9 percent. Joshua Long leads EMU with 366 receiving yards and averages 4.75 receptions per game, while Benson Prosper has added 340 yards and Harold Mack Jr. has 337 yards and a team-high four receiving touchdowns. Eastern Michigan has scored on 87.0 percent of its red-zone opportunities. On special teams, punter Daniel Hull averages 44.0 yards per punt, while kicker Rudy Kessinger has converted 75.0 percent of his field-goal attempts and scored 46 points. Defensively, the Eagles have recovered five fumbles and gained nine turnovers. Defensive back Caleb Dobbs has recorded two interceptions and averages 1.13 passes defended per game. Eastern Michigan also allows 15.86 yards per kickoff return. The Eagles have maintained discipline, averaging 4.63 penalties and 41.75 penalty yards per game, both among the MAC's lowest totals. Eastern Michigan averages 31:00 in time of possession, ranking fourth in the conference.
FINAL SATURDAY BEFORE MACtion
Eastern Michigan enters its final Saturday game in October before transitioning to the midweek MACtion schedule. Under Head Coach Chris Creighton, the Eagles are 1-10 in their final Saturday game of October, excluding the 2020 season when EMU did not play until November. The Eagles' lone victory came in 2021, a 55-24 road win over Bowling Green. EMU has lost each of its last four games in the slot, including a 28-21 setback against Ohio in 2025.
PUTTING IN THE WORK
Eastern Michigan has been grinding from the moment the 2026 season began, opening in Week 0 against Sacramento State and now pushing through eight straight weeks of football without a bye. EMU and USC are the only FBS teams carrying such a stretch, with the Trojans getting their first break Oct. 17 while the Eagles keep playing until their Nov. 14 bye, following the Nov. 4 Central Michigan game at Ford Field. The grind gets even tougher when measured by time at home. EMU will go 38 days between true home games in Ypsilanti, from Oct. 17 against Toledo to Nov. 24 against Kent State. Nationally, only Syracuse faces a comparable stretch, with 35 days between home games from Sept. 12 through Oct. 17.
KNOW THE FOE: OHIO
The Bobcats enter the week with a 5-2 record overall and stand 3-0 in MAC play after securing a 48-7 road win at Sacramento State over the weekend. Ohio, who hold's the nation's longest home winning streak, stands 3-0 inside Peden Stadium this year with wins over Jacksonville State (29-27, 4OT), Stonehill (35-7), and Central Michigan (31-14). The offense is led by Nick Poulos, who has 503 yards on 38-of-68 passing with five touchdowns while Riley Neer has been the top target among three signal callers with 32 catches for 441 yards and five scores. Defensively, Michael Molnar leads the way with 53 tackles, including 8.5 TFLs and 4.0 sacks.
ALL-TIME VERSUS THE BOBCATS
Eastern trails in its series with Ohio, 12-22-1, and has lost the last four meetings, including a 28-21 setback in the most recent meeting, Oct. 25, 2025, in Ypsilanti. The Eagles trail, 5-10-1, when playing in Athens after dropping a 35-10 decision, Nov. 13, 2024. The last time Eastern secured a win in the series came Oct. 15, 2016, in Athens with a 27-20 victory, a win that snapped a six-game losing streak to the Bobcats.
TRYING TO STOP OHIO'S HOME SUCCESS
Ohio has established Peden Stadium as one of the toughest places to play in the FBS, posting a 27-2 record in its last 29 home games dating to Nov. 2, 2021. The Bobcats own the FBS's longest active home winning streak, entering their next home contest with 16 consecutive victories in Athens. Ohio's only two home losses during the stretch came against MAC rivals Toledo, 35-23, Nov. 16, 2021, and Miami, 30-16, Oct. 28, 2023. Eastern Michigan is among the teams Ohio has defeated during its current home winning streak. The Bobcats beat the Eagles 35-10 in Athens Nov. 13, 2024. EMU's last win at Peden Stadium came Oct. 15, 2016, when the Eagles earned a 27-20 victory.
FIREWORKS APLENTY
Offense has been the name of the game when the Eagles and Bobcats meet as 33-of-35 games played have seen both teams score in double digits in the game with only EMU's 7-6 win at home, Oct. 24, 1992, and Ohio's 7-0 home win, Oct. 5, 1996, failing to meet the mark. Additionally, in the past 13 games, both teams have scored at least 10 points with the last game failing to see both teams hit the mark coming Oct. 4, 1997, when OU won, 47-7, in Ypsilanti. All told, Ohio averages 26.2 points per game against EMU while the Eagles average 19.0 against the Bobcats with the teams averaging 28.0 and 18.9, respectively, when the game is played in Athens.
LAST TIME: EMU VS. OHIO
Eastern and Ohio last met Oct. 25, 2025, with the Bobcats coming from behind to grab a 28-21 decision over the Eagles on their Homecoming. EMU took a 14-7 halftime lead before the visitors scored three touchdowns in the second half for a 28-14 lead and held on to win, 28-21, following a late score by the hosts. Nick Devereaux pulled in a pair of touchdown passes as Noah Kim hit him for a 38-yard pass in the first quarter and a 17-yard strike with under two minutes to play. Kim, who added a 3-yard rushing score in the first quarter, finished the game with 259 yards on 21-of-39 passing and two scores while Devereaux collected 121 yards on five catches with two touchdowns. Defensively, Bryce Llewellyn led the team with 13 tackles and Jason Marshall added 10.
LAST TIME: EMU AT OHIO
Eastern and Ohio last played in Athens Nov. 13, 2024, with the host Bobcats scoring a 35-10 #MACtion victory inside Peden Stadium. After a scoreless first quarter, EMU took an early 7-0 lead as Delbert Mimms III caught an 18-yard pass from Cole Snyder before the hosts scored two touchdowns in the second quarter for a 14-7 lead at the break. After Ohio added a third-quarter touchdown for a 21-7 lead, the Eagles cut into the deficit early in the fourth with Jesus Gomez connecting on a 29-yard field goal. But, EMU was unable to score again and OU's Parker Navarro ran for two more touchdowns to bring about the 35-10 final.
RUSH ATTACK LIMITED IN LOSS TO TOLEDO
Eastern Michigan was held to 34 rushing yards on 28 carries in its 34-14 loss to Toledo on Oct. 17, marking the 12th time the Eagles have finished with fewer than 100 rushing yards against the Rockets. EMU's 34 yards tied for the second-lowest rushing total against Toledo since 1995 and marked the Eagles' fewest rushing yards since Oct. 28, 2023, when they managed 28 yards on 23 carries in a 45-21 loss to Western Michigan. The Eagles were sacked six times for 56 yards, reducing their official net rushing total to 34 yards. Before accounting for sack yardage, EMU's rushing production totaled 90 yards on 22 designed rushing attempts, an average of 4.1 yards per carry. Eastern Michigan completed 20-of-43 passes (46.5 percent) for 242 yards, marking the 12th time since 1995 the Eagles have completed 50 percent or fewer of their passes while rushing for 35 yards or fewer in a game.
TIGHT END RECORD WATCH
Joshua Long is on pace to challenge the program's modern-era single-season receptions record for a tight end, dating to 1995. Long has 38 catches through eight games, six shy of Tyreese Russell's record of 44 set in 2013. Averaging 4.75 receptions per game, Long is on pace for 57 catches over a 12-game regular season. Long also ranks second in career receptions among EMU tight ends since 1995 with 75, one ahead of Garrett Hoskins' 74 and 26 behind Russell's career record of 101. With four games remaining, Long is on pace to finish the season with 94 career receptions, seven shy of Russell's mark.
Single Season Receptions by a TE since 1995
1. Tyreese Russell (2013) • 44 receptions
2. Tyreese Russell (2014) • 39
t3. Joshua Long (2026) • 38
t3. Garrett Hoskins (2012) • 38
5. Joshua Long (2025) • 37
6. Nigel Kilby (2016) • 34
t7. Cody Tuttle (2015) • 33
t7. Ryan Wheatley (1995) • 33
9. Josh Leduc (2008) • 32
10 Ben Thayer (2010) • 30
Career Receptions by a TE since 1995
1. Tyreese Russell (2011-14) • 101 receptions
2. Joshua Long (2025-pres.) • 75
3. Garrett Hoskins (2009-12) • 74
4. Kevin Zureki (2000-03) • 69
5. Ben Thayer (2009-10) • 59
6. Ryan Wheatley (1993-95) • 57
7. Gunnar Oakes (2018-22) • 56
8. Matt Kelly (1998-00) • 55
9. Josh Leduc (2007-10) • 54
10. Bryson Cannon (2019-21) • 49
LONG CONTINUES TO LEAD
Joshua Long led the receiving group with seven grabs for 84 yards and one touchdown against Toledo, marking his second-best totals in both behind his nine-catch, 114-yard performance at Akron last week. He has accumulated 198 yards on 16 receptions in the past two games after entering the game with 168 yards total in the first six of 2026.
LONG JOINS EMU TIGHT-END ELITE
Joshua Long caught nine passes for 114 yards in EMU's 25-23 win at Akron, Oct. 10, tying the program's single-game receptions record for a tight end. His 114 yards tied for fifth among FBS tight ends in 2026, matching Eli Finley of Louisiana Tech. Long became the first EMU tight end to record a 100-yard receiving game since Tyreese Russell in 2014. He also recorded EMU's second 100-yard receiving game of the season, joining Benson Prosper (109 yards vs. Lindenwood).
EMU TEs with 100-Yard Receiving Games Since 1995*
Player • Opponent (Date) • Receptions-Yards
Garrett Hoskins • Army (10/22/12) • 7-158
Joshua Long • at Akron (10/10/26) • 9-114
Tyreese Russell • at Ball State (11/22/14) • 8-113
Garrett Hoskins • Toledo (10/13/12) • 7-103
Garrett Hoskins • at Michigan State (9/22/12) • 89-102
KICKOFF EFFICIENCY
Nathan Dibert has significantly improved his kickoff touchback rate in 2026, recording touchbacks on 29 of 37 kickoffs (78.4 percent) through eight games, up from 31 of 60 (51.7 percent) in 2025. His 26.7 percentage-point improvement has produced 29 touchbacks in eight games, nearly matching his 2025 season total of 31 in 12 games. Dibert has also kept all 37 kickoffs in bounds this season.
HULL AMONG NATION'S TOP PUNTERS
Daniel Hull ranks 26th nationally in the FBS and third in the MAC with a 44.0-yard average through eight games. Hull has been especially effective in recent weeks, averaging 48.6 yards per punt over his last three games, including a 53.0-yard average against Massachusetts, 50.0 yards against Akron and 46.8 yards against Toledo. Hull has totaled 1,364 punting yards on 31 punts this season, including six punts of 50 yards or longer.
TURNOVER TROUBLE, VICTORY ANYWAY
Eastern Michigan overcame a minus-2 turnover margin to edge Akron, 25-23, Oct. 10, earning its first one-possession victory despite losing the turnover battle since a 20-13 win over Massachusetts, Oct. 1, 2022. Since 1995, EMU is 18-34 (.346) in games decided by eight points or fewer when finishing with a negative turnover margin.
TAKEAWAYS TELL THE STORY UNDER CREIGHTON
Eastern Michigan is 44-17 when winning the turnover margin under Chris Creighton since 2014, including a 14-1 mark when winning the margin by two or more. The Eagles are 21-70 when tying or losing the turnover margin during the same span after finishing the Toledo game tied, 1-1. Since 2014, EMU is 2-28 when finishing -2 or worse in turnover margin.
BREAKING THE SEAL
Heading into the game at Wisconsin (Sept. 19), Eastern had been held scoreless in the opening quarter of its first three games. That run ended against the Badgers with a touchdown scored on the team's first offensive possession of the game. Eastern followed the same recipe against Lindenwood (Sept. 26) as the defense held the Lions off the board on their opening drive before marching down the field and scoring a touchdown, this time with Amareon Blue punching it in from two-yards out. The Eagles kept the script unchanged at UMass as the Minutemen punted on their opening drive before EMU scored on a 27-yard touchdown pass from Noah Kim to Isaac Kozy. Against Akron, the Eagles scored on their opening drive with a Rudy Kessinger 23-yard field goal, but allowed an Akron touchdown on its first possession.
STAYING CLEAN
Through eight games, Eastern remains one of the more disciplined teams in the nation as the Eagles rank 12th in the FBS for fewest penalties called at 4.63 per contest while ranking 16th in penalty yards per game at 41.8.
BACK ON THE LIST
In the third quarter of the game at Akron (Oct. 10), Eli Lovett shot the gap and blocked an Akron punt with Marvell Eggleston recovering the ball to set up an Eastern field goal. The block was the 27th by Eastern under Chris Creighton and its first since Nov. 13, 2024, when the Eagles blocked a 31-yard field goal attempt by Ohio. The punt was the 11th blocked in that time and the first since Sept. 21, 2024, at home against St. Francis (Pa.)
KESSINGER PERFECT ON FOUR
Rudy Kessinger delivered one of the most efficient kicking performances in Eastern Michigan history at Akron, Oct. 10, going 4-for-4 on field goals and adding an extra point for 13 of EMU's 25 points in the 25-23 victory. Kessinger 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.
KESSINGER CLIMBING
Rudy Kessinger scored 13 points on four field goals and one extra point at Akron (Oct. 10) and added a pair of extra points against Toledo to bring his career totals to 125 points on 26 field goals and 47 extra points. His 125points have him ranked 21st all-time in program history for scoring while his 26 field goals rank him ninth and his 47 PATs rank 11th. To reach the top 20 in scoring, he will need one more point to tie for 18th with Dick Mosely (1951-54), Virgil Windom (1953-55), and Darius Jackson (2012-15), who all scored 126 points.
PASSING 4,000
Noah Kim finished the Akron game with 277 yards on 26-of-46 passing with one touchdown and one interception while added three rushes for one yard and one score in the win. With his statistics, Kim moved over 4,000 yards and 400 completions in his EMU career as he currently has amassed 4,254 yards passing on 412 completions with the team. Kim passed the ball round to eight different receivers with five collecting at least 24 yards.
AS A MATTORD OF FACT
Joey Mattord was the workhorse on offense for Eastern at Akron as the running back finished the game with 18 carries for 73 yards while catching three passes for 24 yards, finishing with 97 yards of total offense. Mattord entered the game with a career-high of nine rushes and 54 yards that he recorded against Lindenwood and UMass, respectively.
SACKS
The Eastern defense recorded 3.0 sacks at Akron (Oct. 10) to mark the fourth multiple-sack game of the year after posting a season-high 4.0 against Lindenwood and 2.0 against both Sacramento State and Michigan State. Quincy Byas led the way with 2.0 sacks in the game while Donmiel Rogers added 1.0 for the Eagles, both of which were career-high totals.
DOBBS THE DISRUPTOR
Caleb Dobbs has put his hands on eight passes through six games in 2026 with two interceptions and six breakups after recording one of each in the win at UMass (Oct. 3). His 1.33 pass breakups per game rank him 11th in the NCAA while also leading the MAC. In his two seasons with the program, Dobbs has appeared in 17 games and recorded 11 pass breakups, including three picks.
ADDED TO THE LIST • STARTERS
In the past five games, nine players have earned their first career starts with seven coming on offense and two on defense. In the Akron game (Oct. 10), Antonio Floyd earned his first career start at wide receiver while Braydon Bennett earned his first state with Eastern Michigan after having started 22 times previously for Coastal Carolina. Kozy Isaac got the starting call at wide receiver against UMass (Oct. 3). Prior to Isaac, two players earned their first starts against Lindenwood as Richardo Wournman earned a start on the offensive line while Davion Williams was on the field for the defense. In the game at Wisconsin (Sept. 19), Dalin Wilkins lined up at wide receiver on the team's first offensive possession while Elgin McDuffey earned his first start at linebacker. One week earlier at Michigan State (Sept. 12), the right side of the offensive line featured a pair of Eagles that made their first career starts as Dennis Strey, Jr., took over at right guard and first-year player Samuel Adjin lined up at right tackle.
SINGLE SCORES
Since the start of the 2016 season, Eastern is tied for third with Iowa State nationally with 64 one-score games played, sitting behind Northern Illinois (67) and Texas (65).
1. Northern Illinois - 67 (31-36)
2. Texas - 65 (30-35)
t-3. Eastern Michigan - 64 (31-33)
t-3. Iowa State - 64 (29-35)
5. Nebraska - 61 (19-42)
t-6. Kansas State - 59 (27-32)
t-6. North Carolina - 59 (25-34)
8. TCU - 57 (28-29)
t-9. Army - 56 (31-25)
t-9. California - 56 (24-32)
t-9. Iowa - 56 (30-26)
t-9. Tulsa - 56 (25-31)
updated through games played 10/17/26
HOLD ON TO YOUR RED POP
Close games have become the norm for Eastern Michigan, and the Eagles have made a habit of winning them. The 25-23 victory at Akron marked EMU's 28th game decided by three points or fewer since 2016, the ninth-most among FBS programs during that span. Yet EMU's 16-12 record in those games, a .571 winning percentage, ranks third among the 11 FBS teams with at least 28 such contests. Only Navy (.655) and Northern Illinois (.643) have posted a better winning percentage.
1. Iowa State - 33 (16-17, .485)
t-2. Stanford - 30 (16-14, .533)
t-2. TCU - 30 (15-15, .500)
t-2. Washington State - 30 (12-18, .400)
t-2. Western Kentucky - 30 (13-17, .433)
t-6. Iowa - 29 (15-14, .517)
t-6. Navy - 29 (19-10, .655)
t-6. North Carolina - 29 (15-14, .517)
t-9. Eastern Michigan - 28 (16-12, .571)
t-9. Wyoming - 28 (14-14, .500)
t-9. Northern Illinois - 28 (18-10, .643)
updated through games played 10/17/26
STARTER REPEATED
With Noah Kim earning the starting nod against Sacramento State (Aug. 29), the Eagles had the same starting quarterback in back-to-back season-opening games for the first time under Chris Creighton since Preston Hutchinson in 2020 and 2021. Kim also became just the third player to open consecutive seasons as QB1 under Creighton with Reginald Bell becoming the first in 2014 and 2015.
Game 1 Starting Quarterbacks Under Creighton
2026 - Noah Kim
2025 - Noah Kim
2024 - Cole Snyder
2023 - Austin Smith
2022 - Taylor Powell
2021 - Preston Hutchinson
2020 - Preston Hutchinson
2019 - Mike Glass
2018 - Tyler Wiegers
2017 - Brogan Roback
2016 - Todd Porter
2015 - Reginald Bell
2014 - Reginald Bell
ONE BY LAND AND TWO BY AIR
In the opener with Sacramento State (Aug. 29), Noah Kim finished the game with two passing touchdowns and added one more on the ground to mark the third time he has accomplished the feat in his career with all three coming with the Eagles in MAC games. Overall, his three such games are tied for the fourth-most among EMU quarterbacks since the start of the 1995 season with Mike Glass III (2018-19) leading the way with five and both Alex Gillett (2010-12) and Preston Hutchinson (2019-20) tied for second with four. When counting only MAC games, Kim's three games are tied for second with Andy Schmitt (2007-08), Gillett, and Brogan Roback (2015-17) while Hutchinson leads with four.
2+ pass/1+ rush TD (since 1995) – All Games
Mike Glass III (2018-19) – 5 games
Alex Gillett (2010-12) – 4 games
Preston Hutchinson (2019-20) – 4 games
Noah Kim (2025-present) – 3 games
Andy Schmitt (2007-08) – 3 games
Brogan Roback (2015-17) – 3 games
2+ pass/1+ rush TD (since 1995) – MAC Games ONLY
Preston Hutchinson (2019-20) – 4 games
Noah Kim (2025-present) – 3 games
Andy Schmitt (2007-08) – 3 games
Alex Gillett (2010-12) - 3 games
Brogan Roback (2015-17) - 3 games
ONE AND ONE
Along with his propensity to score on the ground and added multiple passing touchdowns, Noah Kim also ranks highly (since 1995) among EMU quarterbacks with at least one passing and one rushing touchdown in the same game as he recorded his seventh with one of each at Akron (Oct. 10). His seven career games with EMU are the third-highest with Mike Glass III leading the way with 10.
1+ pass/1+ rush TD (since 1995) – All Games
Mike Glass III (2018-19) – 10 games
Alex Gillett (2010-12) – 8 games
Noah Kim (2025-present) – 7 games
Andy Schmitt (2007-08) – 6 games
FLYING THE FLAG
When a MAC team defeats a member of a "Power Four" conference, they celebrate by hoisting a black flag with the MAC logo placed above crossbones, something the Eagles have done four times since 2017 with victories over Rutgers, Purdue, Illinois, and Arizona State. Dating back to the start of the 2006 season, at least one member of the MAC has flown the flag with the conference accumulating 49 wins in that stretch of 20 consecutive seasons, including 33 against the Big Ten. All told, the MAC has posted wins against foes from the Big Ten (33), SEC (2), Big 12 (6), the former Pac-12 (2), the ACC (4), and one over Notre Dame. Overall, in the Eagles' four wins tie for the sixth-highest total in the MAC with Ball State and Western Michigan while Northern Illinois leads the way with nine, both Bowling Green and Central Michigan have six, and Ohio and Toledo have five. This year, the streak was continued in Week 1 with UMass handing Rutgers a 37-21 home loss, Sept. 3.
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 203-132 across 30 seasons at Wabash, Ottawa, Drake, and Eastern Michigan, supported by a .607 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 coaches who have hit the milestone, including Brian Kelly (Central Michigan), Nick Saban (Toledo), Woody Hayes (Miami), and Don Nehlen (Bowling Green).
CREIGHTON IN THE MAC
Chris Creighton has tallied 65 wins during his tenure with Eastern Michigan following the 25-23 victory at Akron (Oct. 10), with 40 of those victories coming in MAC games. With his most recent win, his 65 wins with the Eagles ranks 10th in MAC history.
Overall Coaching Wins in MAC History
1. Frank Solich (Ohio/2005-20) • 115
2. Herb Deromedi (Central Michigan/1978-93) • 110
3. Bill Hess (Ohio/1958-77) • 108
4. Jason Candle (Toledo/2015-25) • 81
5. Bob Pruett (Marshall/1997-04) • 79
6. Doyt Perry (Bowling Green/1955-64) • 77
7. Chuck Martin (Miami/2014-pres) • 76
8. Gary Pinkel (Toledo/1991-00) • 73
9. Trevor J. Rees (Kent State/1951-63) • 66
10. Chris Creighton (EMU/2014-pres) • 65
UPPER HALF
Since 2016, Eastern has posted 62 wins, which ranks as the sixth-most victories of any team in the MAC.
85 • Toledo
83 • Ohio
75 • Western Michigan
71 • Miami
64 • Buffalo
62 • Eastern Michigan
58 • Central Michigan
46 • Ball State
42 • Bowling Green
37 • Kent State
33 • Akron
22 • UMass
1 • Sacramento State
* updated through 10/17/26
AYE, AYE CAPTAINS!
EMU will be led by five captains in the 2026. Following a vote of the current roster, the players selected included Nicholas Gallegos (OL), Makhi Gilbert (DL), Noah Kim (QB), Bryce Llewellyn (DB), and Zach Mowchan (LB).
DONNING THE DEUCE
In an Aug. 20 team meeting, Chris Creighton announced Nick Devereaux would wear 'The Deuce' for the 2026 season, an honor reserved for the team's top senior pass catcher. While players often request a certain number to wear, 'The Deuce' must be earned in remembrance of wide receiver Demarius Reed, who passed away on Oct. 18, 2013. 'The Deuce' was put back into circulation in 2017 with the blessing of Reed's family and former teammates and has been worn by Sergio Bailey II (2017), Blake Banham (2018), Mathew Sexton (2019), Thomas Odukoya (2020), Bryson Cannon (2021), Hassan Beydoun (2022), Tanner Knue (2023), Oran Singleton (2024), and Terry Lockett Jr. (2025).
ZEROING IN
Another number that cannot be requested by an Eastern player is The Zero. Most weeks, the defensive coaching staff will select an individual player that stood out in the previous week's game and the following week of practice and will announce the wearer at a team meeting on the eve of the game. This year, the honor has been earned by Donmiel Rogers (Sacramento State), Makhi Gilbert (San Jose State), Ronn Hardin (Michigan State), and Peyton Christian (Wisconsin), Rayquan Adkins (Lindenwood), Elgin McDuffey (UMass), Caleb Dobbs (Akron), and Quincy Byas (Toledo) with Dobbs and Byas repeat wearers of the Zero in their careers. Six players returned this season that have previously worn The Zero, including two-time honorees Carter Evans and Barry Manning, along with Byas, Dobbs, Gilbert, and Bryce Llewellyn.
WELCOME TO YPSILANTI
The 2026 roster features 54 newcomers to the program, including 30 first-year players and 24 transfers. The first-year players hail from nine states and two countries with players representing Florida (8), Georgia (3), Illinois, Indiana (4), Kentucky, Michigan (6), New Jersey (2), Ohio (3), and Pennsylvania with one player from Canada. Additionally, five of the 24 transfers came to Ypsilanti from 'Power 4' programs, including Illinois, Michigan State, Oklahoma State, Syracuse, and Virginia Tech with other NCAA Division I programs including Akron, Delaware State, Drake, Lamar, St. Francis (Pa.), and Yale.
MAKE'EM SAY 'UNC'LE
When looking at the newcomers, 11 of the 30 first-year players were born in 2008, nearly six years after eight of the team's 'elder' statesmen, including Ronn Hardin, who was born in November of 2001. Comparatively, the youngest player on the roster is Horace Glenn III, who was born in October of 2008, Hardin the 'unc' of the team by over 2,500 days (nearly six years and 11 months). Additionally, Hardin is the 15th-oldest player in the FBS.
ADDED TO THE STAFF
Changes to the coaching roster also took place since the end of the 2025 season with five new assistant coaches in place for 2026. Joining the staff this year are Antreal Allen (cornerbacks), who coached cornerbacks at West Georgia in 2025; Erik Campbell (wide receivers), who worked with the wide receivers at Michigan in 2025; Donnell Kirkwood Jr. (running backs), who coached running backs at Washington State in 2025; Zac Sias (defensive tackles), who worked with the linebackers at Kansas the past two years; and Grant Kurzner (special teams coordinator), who worked with Michigan's special teams the past two years.
NEW CALLERS
Along with the new additions to the staff, new roles were also assigned as both Tate Omli and Kasey Teegardin were named co-defensive coordinators for 2026. Omli, who also works with the safeties, is in his fourth season with the Eagles while Teegardin, who is entering his third season in Ypsilanti, will work with the defensive ends. Offensively, Mike Piatkowski returns as the offensive coordinator for the Eagles.
HAIL TO THE CHIEF!
The football player and staff roster was not the only change this offseason as Dr. Brendan Kelly was selected to lead Eastern Michigan as the 24th president of the University. Kelly, who began his tenure in Ypsilanti on April 1, 2026, earned both his bachelor's degree in public relations and master's degree in communication from EMU before completing his Ph.D. in political communication and rhetoric at Wayne State University. Early in his career, he served at EMU as Assistant Director of Forensics and a Lecturer in Communication and Theatre Arts, making today's return a meaningful homecoming for both him and his wife, Dr. Tressa Kelly, also a two‑time EMU alumna and longtime educator.
ON THE LIST
Eastern had 16 players named to preseason All-MAC teams by Athlon Sports and/or Phil Steele with eight Eagles earning a selection to both lists. The Eagles appearing on both ledgers included Nick Devereaux (1st team Athlon/1st team Steele), Carter Evans (1st/1st), Nicholas Gallegos (1st/2nd), Bryce Llewellyn (1st/1st), Joshua Long (1st/1st), Rudy Kessinger (2nd/2nd), Noah Kim (3rd/3rd), and Jason Marshall (4th/4th). Additionally, Athlon Sports recognized Barry Manning (2nd), Joshua Anderson (3rd), Braydon Bennett (3rd), Jefferson Adam (4th), Caleb Coley (4th), and Harold Mack Jr. (4th) while Phil Steele selected Makhi Gilbert (3rd) and Juan Salas Jr. (4th) to their lists.
WATCHING OUT
Seven Eastern players were named to preseason watch lists for various national honors ahead of the start of the season. The list included Bryce Llewellyn for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy (best defensive player), Dennis Strey Jr. for the All-State AFCA Good Works Team and the Allstate Wuerfful Trophy (community service), Nick Devereaux for the East-West Shrine Bowl (all-star game), Joshua Long for the John Mackey Trophy (tight end), Nicholas Gallegos for the Rimington Trophy (center), and Braydon Bennett for the Doak Walker (running back).
ON THE HORIZON
After nine consecutive weeks of play, Eastern will finally take a break with its next game slated to follow its game at Ohio 10 days later when the Eagles venture to downtown Detroit to face rival Central Michigan University in Motor City MACtion, Tuesday, Nov. 3, inside Ford Field. The game, which will be the first of three midweek games to close out the regular season, is set to kickoff at either 7 p.m. or 7:30 p.m. and will be aired on either ESPN2, ESPNU, or CBS Sports Network, all of which will be announced next week. Tom Helmer and Rob Rubick will have the call from the home of the NFL's Detroit Lions on WEMU (89.1 FM), the Varsity Network app, and SiriusXM radio. Tickets for the rivalry game can be purchased here.
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/ FootballMonday, October 19
Sunday, October 18
Friday, October 16
Thursday, October 15