Eastern Michigan Athletics
10/26/2026 1:00:00 PM | Football
Eagles and Chippewas set to renew rivalry Nov. 4 inside Ford Field in Detroit
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CLEVELAND, Ohio (EMUEagles.com) - The Eastern Michigan University football team will meet Central Michigan University at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 4, inside Ford Field in Detroit as part of Motor City MACtion. The Mid-American Conference announced Monday, Oct. 26, the game will air nationally on ESPN2.
The match up marks the 104th meeting between the Eagles and Chippewas, with the rivalry dating to Nov. 1, 1902. Central Michigan leads the all-time series, 65-32-6.
The teams have alternated wins over the last five seasons. CMU earned a 24-13 victory in Mount Pleasant in 2025, while Eastern Michigan prevailed, 38-34, at home during Homecoming in 2024.
Eastern Michigan will look to reclaim the Michigan MAC Trophy, awarded annually to the Michigan-based MAC program with the best head-to-head record against Eastern Michigan, Central Michigan and Western Michigan. EMU has claimed the trophy five times, most recently in 2022.
Wednesday's contest also marks a return to Ford Field for an EMU-CMU game. The Eagles last faced the Chippewas at Ford Field on Nov. 6, 2004, when Eastern Michigan secured a memorable 61-58 victory in four overtimes. In that historic contest, EMU quarterback Matt Bohnet threw for 367 yards and four touchdowns with Eric Deslauriers catching 14 passes for 207 yards and all four touchdown receptions. Andrew Wellock provided the game-winning 24-yard field goal in the fourth overtime.
Eastern Michigan has a long history at Ford Field. The Eagles hosted games at the venue from 2004-07 and last played in Detroit during the 2019 Quick Lane Bowl against Pittsburgh.
Motor City MACtion will bring the longtime in-state rivals together in downtown Detroit for another chapter in one of the MAC's most storied series.
Fans attending the Nov. 4 game will also have opportunities to take part in EMU's Motor City MACtion Fan Challenge, which includes fan engagement, attendance, and community service initiatives.
The EMU Alumni and Friends Tailgate will take place from 5-7 p.m. in Ford Field's Hall of Legends before kickoff. The event is open to everyone and will feature food, beverages, music, games, and EMU giveaways. Tailgate admission requires a separate football game ticket.
Fans are also encouraged to support Swoop's Pantry through EMU's Motor City MACtion food drive by donating canned goods and other nonperishable food items. Supporters can also donate game tickets to local youth and nonprofit organizations across Ypsilanti and Metro Detroit.
For tickets and additional information, visit EMUEagles.com.
Tuesday, Nov. 3
Ohio at Akron, 7 p.m. ET on ESPN2
Buffalo at Miami, 8 p.m. ET on ESPN
Wednesday, Nov. 4
Toledo at Sacramento State, 7 p.m. ET / 4:00 PM PT on CBSSN
Ball State at UMass, 7 p.m. ET on ESPNU
Central Michigan at Eastern Michigan (Ford Field), 7:30 PM ET on ESPN2
CLEVELAND, Ohio (EMUEagles.com) - The Eastern Michigan University football team will meet Central Michigan University at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 4, inside Ford Field in Detroit as part of Motor City MACtion. The Mid-American Conference announced Monday, Oct. 26, the game will air nationally on ESPN2.
The match up marks the 104th meeting between the Eagles and Chippewas, with the rivalry dating to Nov. 1, 1902. Central Michigan leads the all-time series, 65-32-6.
The teams have alternated wins over the last five seasons. CMU earned a 24-13 victory in Mount Pleasant in 2025, while Eastern Michigan prevailed, 38-34, at home during Homecoming in 2024.
Eastern Michigan will look to reclaim the Michigan MAC Trophy, awarded annually to the Michigan-based MAC program with the best head-to-head record against Eastern Michigan, Central Michigan and Western Michigan. EMU has claimed the trophy five times, most recently in 2022.
Wednesday's contest also marks a return to Ford Field for an EMU-CMU game. The Eagles last faced the Chippewas at Ford Field on Nov. 6, 2004, when Eastern Michigan secured a memorable 61-58 victory in four overtimes. In that historic contest, EMU quarterback Matt Bohnet threw for 367 yards and four touchdowns with Eric Deslauriers catching 14 passes for 207 yards and all four touchdown receptions. Andrew Wellock provided the game-winning 24-yard field goal in the fourth overtime.
Eastern Michigan has a long history at Ford Field. The Eagles hosted games at the venue from 2004-07 and last played in Detroit during the 2019 Quick Lane Bowl against Pittsburgh.
Motor City MACtion will bring the longtime in-state rivals together in downtown Detroit for another chapter in one of the MAC's most storied series.
Fans attending the Nov. 4 game will also have opportunities to take part in EMU's Motor City MACtion Fan Challenge, which includes fan engagement, attendance, and community service initiatives.
The EMU Alumni and Friends Tailgate will take place from 5-7 p.m. in Ford Field's Hall of Legends before kickoff. The event is open to everyone and will feature food, beverages, music, games, and EMU giveaways. Tailgate admission requires a separate football game ticket.
Fans are also encouraged to support Swoop's Pantry through EMU's Motor City MACtion food drive by donating canned goods and other nonperishable food items. Supporters can also donate game tickets to local youth and nonprofit organizations across Ypsilanti and Metro Detroit.
For tickets and additional information, visit EMUEagles.com.
Tuesday, Nov. 3
Ohio at Akron, 7 p.m. ET on ESPN2
Buffalo at Miami, 8 p.m. ET on ESPN
Wednesday, Nov. 4
Toledo at Sacramento State, 7 p.m. ET / 4:00 PM PT on CBSSN
Ball State at UMass, 7 p.m. ET on ESPNU
Central Michigan at Eastern Michigan (Ford Field), 7:30 PM ET on ESPN2
Wednesday, October 28
Friday, October 23
Friday, October 23
Tuesday, October 20