Battle Atop The MAC Awaits Football at UMass

Football at UMass
Date	Saturday, Oct. 3 \| 3:30 p.m. ET
Venue	McGuirk Alumni Stadium \| 17,000 \| Amherst, Mass.
Preview Info	EMU Notes (PDF) \| Media Guide (PDF) \| Press Conference Video
Watch \| Stats	ESPN+ \| Live Stats
Listen	WEMU (89.1 WEMU-FM) \| The Varsity Network App \| SiriusXM
Follow Us On X	@EMUFB \| @EMUAthletics
Tickets	Purchase Your Tickets HERE!

AMHERST, Mass. (EMUEagles.com) -- With its non-conference slate in the rear-view, the Eastern Michigan University football team returns to Mid-American Conference action this week as the Eagles will take flight to face fellow MAC leader University of Massachusetts Saturday, Oct. 3, inside McGuirk Alumni Stadium in Amherst, Mass. The game will pit two of the three teams in the MAC with a league win against one another as the Eagles (2-3, 1-0 MAC) will face the Minutemen (4-0, 1-0 MAC) in a conference game for the first time since the 2015 season.

TUNE IN
The Mid-American Conference clash between EMU and UMass will be aired live on ESPN+ with Bill Spaulding (play-by-play) and Craig Haubert (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 2-3 this year following their win over Lindenwood (Sept. 26), 29-3, the Eagles hold a record of 501-640-47 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 NCAA STATISTICAL RANKINGS
The Eagles rank eighth nationally and first in the MAC in fewest penalty yards per game at 33.8, while ranking sixth nationally and first in the conference in fewest penalties per game at 4.0. Eastern Michigan also ranks among the national leaders in fumbles recovered and turnovers gained. Individually, quarterback Noah Kim ranks 24th nationally and first in the MAC in completions per game at 21.2. Kim also ranks 38th nationally and third in the MAC in passing yards with 968, and 60th nationally and third in the conference in passing touchdowns with six. Defensively, Caleb Dobbs ranks 35th nationally and second in the MAC in passes defended at 1.2 per game, while Zach Mowchan ranks 36th nationally and fourth in the conference in total tackles at 8.6 per game. Nick Devereaux ranks 40th nationally and fifth in the MAC in kickoff returns at 19.0 yards per return, while Amareon Blue ranks 90th nationally and third in the conference in rushing yards with 243.

HITTING THE SACK(S)
The Eastern defense collected a season-high 8.0 TFLs and 4.0 sacks against Lindenwood (Sept. 26), surpassing the 7.0 and 2.0 totals, respectively, collected at Michigan State (Sept. 12). Through five games in 2026, the Eagles have posted 9.0 sacks, an improvement of 7.0 over the same stretch last year, while marking the ninth time in 13 years under Chris Creighton EMU has posted at least 9.0 sacks through five.

YARDS? WHAT'S THE DEAL WITH 200?
Eastern Michigan's defense put itself in rare company Saturday (Sept. 26). For the seventh time since 1995, the Eagles held an opponent to fewer than 200 yards of total offense, limiting Lindenwood to 191 yards on 52 plays in EMU's 29-3 victory. The 191-yard effort marked EMU's first sub-200-yard defensive performance since 2024, when the Eagles held St. Francis (Pa.) to 154 yards. Since 1995, EMU has held an opponent below 200 yards only seven times. The other performances came against Central Michigan and Akron in 2018, Indiana State in 2008, Western Michigan in 2007, and UCF in 2003. Lindenwood averaged just 3.7 yards per play and scored only three points, giving EMU its lowest yards-allowed total since the 154-yard performance against St. Francis (Pa.).

200 YARDS OF SEPARATION
Eastern Michigan's offense created a 205-yard gap, Sept. 26, out-gaining Lindenwood, 396-191, in the Eagles' 29-3 victory. It marked the 14th time since 1995 that EMU has out-gained an opponent by more than 200 yards and the first since the Eagles held a 208-yard advantage over Central Michigan in 2022. Saturday's 205-yard margin ranks among EMU's 14 largest such advantages over the past three decades, a list topped by the 339-yard margin against Indiana State in 2008, when the Eagles piled up 505 yards of total offense.

RARITY: ALLOWING THREE POINT OR LESS
Eastern Michigan has held an opponent to three points or fewer 12 times since joining the Mid-American Conference in 1976. The Eagles have recorded seven shutouts in those games, along with two ties and one loss. EMU's most recent such performance came Sept. 26, when the Eagles defeated Lindenwood, 29-3. The Eagles also held St. Francis (Pa.) scoreless in 2024, Indiana State scoreless in 2008, and Akron scoreless in 1997. EMU's 12 games allowing three points or fewer include six against MAC opponents and six against non-conference foes.

KNOW THE FOE: UMASS
The Minutemen are off to a hot start at 4-0 overall and 1-0 in MAC play after scoring a 35-6 road win at Sacramento State, further pushing away from last year's 0-12 record as UMass has added wins of 37-21 away to Rutgers (Big Ten) and home wins over Sacred Heart (37-10) and Stonehill (36-14). The only undefeated team in the MAC and one of three teams at 1-0 in league play (EMU and Kent State), UMass leads the MAC in defense by allowing just 12.8 points per game while ranking second in scoring at 36.3 points per contest. William 'Pop' Watson III leads the offense with 610 passing yards and six scores while adding 154 yards and four touchdowns on the ground while Elijah Faulkner has posted 227 rushing yards as well. T.Y. Harding has been the main receiving target as he has collected 221 yards and two scores and leads the MAC in all-purpose yards at 114.8 per game.

ALL-TIME VERSUS THE MINUTEMEN
Eastern holds a 4-2 record against UMass in its series with the Minutemen and has won the last four meetings, including a 28-14 decision in Amherst, Aug. 31, 2024. The Eagles, who are 2-1 against UMass when playing in Amherst, started their recent four-game winning streak with a 42-28 win, Sept. 18, 2021, in a game that renewed the series first played in 2014 and 2015 when UMass was a football affiliate member of the MAC. The lone loss on the road came in the initial meeting, a 36-14 decision for the hosts, Oct. 18, 2014. Despite their 4-2 record, the Eagles are 0-2 when playing UMass in a MAC contest with the last instance coming Nov. 14, 2015, in Ypsilanti, a 28-17 win by the Minutemen.

LAST TIME: AT UMASS
Eastern Michigan won the most recent meeting in the series, 28-14, in a then-non-conference game played Aug. 31, 2024, in Amherst. That day, Cole Snyder got the scoring started in the second quarter as he directed a 10-play, 97-yard touchdown drive that he capped with a one-yard plunge for the score. Later in the half, Eastern found the end zone for a second time, this time with Snyder dropping an 18-yard pass into the arms of Oran Singleton, who hauled in the diving grab for six, sending EMU to the locker room with a 14-0 lead.
UMass scored its first points of the game in the third as they capped a 10-play, 70-yard drive with a touchdown, but the Eagles came back down the field and added three points as Jesús Gómez was true from 19 yards to make it 17-7. Gomez came back in the fourth and added a shot from 31 yards to build the lead to 20-7 before Delbert Mimms III pounded the ball across the line from six yards out for another EMU touchdown.

GOING FOR 2(-0)
EMU has already played one MAC game, which came in Week 0 over Sacramento State (28-17). The Eagles are looking to add a win at UMass which would not only keep Eastern atop the league standings, but also see it start 2-0 in MAC play for the first time since the 2005 season. That year, Eastern claimed a 23-20 (OT) win at Central Michigan (Sept. 24) before grabbing a 27-20 Homecoming win over Kent State (Oct. 1) in Ypsilanti.

TOUGH OUTS
In the game with Lindenwood (Sept. 26), Eastern Michigan had the ball for eight drives and punted just once as the Eagles scored three touchdowns and attempted four field goals with three kicks converted. The last time the Eastern Michigan offense went the entire game without a 3-and-out drive was Sept. 17, 2022, in the Eagles' 30-21 upset of Arizona State inside Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, Ariz. That night, Eastern was able to 'Fly the Flag' as the offense possessed the ball 10 times and scored six times, including three touchdowns and three field goals without going 3-and-out once.

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.

WINDEX TREATMENT
Against Lindenwood (Sept. 26), the defense stood tall in the first quarter once again as Eastern blanked the Lions in the opening stanza to mark its third consecutive home game it has shutout the visiting team. Additionally, the Eagles have allowed just 10 points in the first quarter through five games, including seven points at Michigan State and three points at Wisconsin. The Eagles also held the Lions scoreless for the first half of the game and didn't allow points to Lindenwood until 6:37 remaining in the third quarter when the visitors connected on a 44-yard field goal. The last time Eastern held an opponent in first half of a game came Sept. 21, 2024, at home in a 36-0 victory over visiting St. Francis (Pa.).

TAKEAWAYS TELL THE STORY UNDER CREIGHTON
Eastern Michigan is 43-17 when winning the turnover margin under Chris Creighton since 2014, including a 13-1 mark when winning the margin by two or more. The Eagles are 20-69 when tying or losing the turnover margin during the same span after no turnovers were recorded in the game with Lindenwood. EMU finished with a minus-2 margin against Wisconsin after committing three turnovers while forcing one. Since 2014, EMU is 1-28 when finishing -2 or worse in turnover margin.

NEW TO THE LIST
Since the start of the 2014 season, Eastern has played an opponent for the first time in program history 24 times, including both Sacramento State and Lindenwood this year. The Eagles, who downed the Hornets (28-17) and Lions (29-3) in 2026, stand 13-11 in those initial meetings under Chris Creighton with Eastern having played at least one newcomer to the list each of Creighton's 13 seasons in Ypsilanti with the exception of the 2020 COVID season that consisted of MAC-only games. Additionally, the Eagles are 13-9 in regular season games against the new teams, including road wins at Illinois (2019) and Arizona State (2022), and 8-1 at home with the lone loss coming last year to Long Island (Sept. 6), 38-23.

NON-CONFERENCE SUCCESS UNDER CREIGHTON
Since the start of the 1976 season, EMU has won 57 non-conference games with 45.6 percent of those victories (26 wins) coming in the past 13 seasons under Chris Creighton, an average of two non-conference wins per season. In that same span, 14 of those wins have come on the road with a Creighton-led squad capturing nine wins (64.3 percent), including wins at Big Ten opponents Rutgers (16-13, Sept. 9, 2017), Purdue (20-19, Sept. 8, 2018), and Illinois (34-31, Sept. 14, 2019), while adding a 30-21 win at Arizona State (Sept. 17, 2022), a then-member of the Pac-12 (currently Big 12).

STAYING CLEAN
Through four games, Eastern remains one of the more disciplined teams in the nation as the Eagles rank sixth in the FBS for fewest penalties called per game at 4.00 per contest while ranking eighth in penalty yards per game at 33.8. Eastern leads the MAC in both areas.

KICK IT
For only the 17th time since 1995, Eastern Michigan attempted at least four field goals in a game, and the Eagles improved to 9-8 in those contests with Saturday's 29-3 victory over Lindenwood. Rudy Kessinger handled all four attempts, connecting on three, including career-long makes from 51 and 42 yards. His 51-yarder marked the longest field goal of his career and his 20th made field goal, while his 28-yarder in the third quarter gave EMU a 22-3 lead. The Eagles entered the game having attempted four or more field goals only 16 times over the previous 31 seasons.

KESSINGER KLIMBING
Rudy Kessinger moved into the No. 10 spot in career field goals at Eastern Michigan after his 3-of-4 performance against Lindenwood as he brought his career total to 22. Kessinger is now chasing a tie for the No. 9 ranking that is shared by Joe Carithers (2008-09) and Paulie Fricano (2016-17) after both converted 34 in their respective careers. Additionally, his 11 points against Lindenwood brought his career total to 102 and has him 19 points away (121) from joining the program's top 20 in career scoring.

KIM IN ELITE EMU QB COMPANY
Noah Kim has added his name to a select group of Eastern Michigan quarterbacks. In Saturday's 29-3 win over Lindenwood, Kim completed 23 of 38 passes for 257 yards and two touchdowns with no interceptions. The performance marked his second game this season with at least 35 attempts, a 60% completion rate, two touchdown passes and zero interceptions, joining Cole Snyder, Taylor Powell and Matt Bohnet as the only EMU quarterbacks since 1995 with multiple games meeting those criteria. Kim previously reached the mark Aug. 29 against Sacramento State, completing 27 of 38 passes for 279 yards and two touchdowns.

GO LONG AND PROPSER
Benson Prosper put his name alongside some of the most productive single-game receiving performances in Eastern Michigan history Saturday against Lindenwood, catching 10 passes for 109 yards and a touchdown in the Eagles' 29-3 victory. Since 1995, only 18 Eastern Michigan player-game performances entering Saturday had met all three marks: at least 10 receptions, 100 receiving yards, and one touchdown. Prosper joins a group that includes Eric Deslauriers, who accounts for seven of those games, Kevin Walter, who had four, and Ontario Pryor, whose 14 catches for 241 yards against Central Michigan in 1996 remain the highest yardage total on the list. Prosper is the first Eastern Michigan player since Hassan Beydoun in 2021 to reach all three benchmarks in a game. Prosper, who recorded his first career touchdown for the Eagles on a 24-yard pass play from Noah Kim, posted the 148th instance of 100+ yards receiving by an EMU player and the first since running back Dontae McMillan pulled down 126 yards against Western Michigan (Nov. 25, 2025) in last year's season finale. Prosper's yardage, which tied for 107th on the program's single-game ledger, made him the first wide receiver with 100+ yards in a game since Jamarien Wheeler recorded 131 at Ball State (Nov. 15, 2025).

MOW THEM DOWN
Zach Mowchan has been productive for the Eastern defense all season as he has collected 43 total tackles, which ranks third nationally, while posting 16 solo stops and 2.5 TFLs to go along with three pass breakups. His total tackles have already tied his single-season career-best from last year while his solo stops are three more than his career-high 13 from 2025. Additionally, his 2.5 TFLs are 0.5 over his total from his previous four seasons with the Eagles as he entered the year with 2.0.

DAZZLING DOZEN
In the game with Lindenwood (Sept. 26), 12 different Eagles recorded at least 0.5 TFLs in the game with four players -- Bryce Llewellyn, Elgin McDuffey, Peyton Christian, and Warren-Stevens Tayou -- each recording 1.0. The remaining Eagles that added to the team's 8.0 TFLs included Zach Mowchan, Jordan Toney, Bryce Eliuk, Donmiel Rogers, Quincy Byas, Noah Patterson, Carter Evans, and Mark Debiak, all of whom had 0.5,

McDUFFEY CONSISTENT
Elgin McDuffey has continued to grow into his play on the field as the transfer from East Central Community College has recorded a career-high six tackles in each of the past three games (at Michigan State, at Wisconsin, and hosting Lindenwood). During that time, the linebacker has recorded eight solo stops, while picking up his first sack against the Lions (Sept. 26).

ADDED TO THE LIST • STARTERS
In the past three games, six players have earned their first career starts with four coming on offense and two on defense 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.

DOBBS THE DISRUPTOR
Caleb Dobbs has put his hands on six passes through four games in 2026 with one interception and five breakups. His 1.5 pass breakups per game rank him 10th in the NCAA while also leading the MAC. In his two seasons with the program, Dobbs has appeared in 15 games and recorded nine pass breakups, including two picks.

HOLD ON TO YOUR RED POP
EMU 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 had more, with seven. Tight finishes are nothing new for the Eagles. Since 2016, Eastern has competed in 64 single-score regular-season games, the second-most in the country behind Northern Illinois with 66. The Eagles are 31-33 in those contests, showing a consistent knack for drama and resilience in crunch time.

SINGLE SCORES
Since the start of the 2016 season, Eastern is second nationally with 64 one-score games played, sitting behind Northern Illinois (67).
1. Northern Illinois - 67 (31-36)
2. Eastern Michigan - 64 (31-33)
t-3. Iowa State - 63 (28-35)
t-3. Texas - 63 (30-33)
5. Nebraska - 60 (19-41)
t-6. Kansas State - 58 (27-31)
t-6. North Carolina - 58 (24-34)
t-8. Army - 55 (31-24)
t-8. California - 55 (24-31)
t-8. Iowa - 55 (29-26)
t-8. Oklahoma State - 55 (32-23)
t-8. TCU - 55 (28-27)
t-8. Tulsa - 55 (25-30)

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

KIM MAKES EMU HISTORY AGAINST P-4 FOES
Noah Kim rushed for a touchdown at Michigan State, Sept. 12, 2026, making him the first Eastern Michigan quarterback since 1995 to record rushing TDs against both Big Ten and SEC opponents. Kim previously scored on the ground at Kentucky on Sept. 13, 2025. He joins a select group of EMU quarterbacks who have rushed for touchdowns against Power 4 opponents, but stands alone as the only one to do so against both the Big Ten and SEC. EMU quarterbacks have combined for 10 games with a rushing touchdown against Big Ten, SEC or ACC opponents since 1995.

BIG TEN
2026 • Noah Kim at Michigan State
2012 • Tyler Benz at Purdue
2009 • Andy Schmitt at Michigan
2008 • Andy Schmitt at Michigan State
2007 • Kyle McMahon vs. Northwestern
2007 • Andy Schmitt at Michigan

SEC
2025 • Noah Kim at Kentucky
2016 • Todd Porter at Missouri

ACC
2019 • Mike Glass III vs. Pitt
2010 • Alex Gillett at Virginia

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 sixth with two passing and one running score against Sacramento State (Aug. 29). His six career games with EMU are tied for 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) – 6 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 201-131 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 63 wins during his tenure with Eastern Michigan following the 29-3 defeat of Lindenwood (Sept. 26), with 37 of those victories coming in MAC games. With his most recent win, his 63 wins with the Eagles ranks 11th in MAC history while his league win total is tied for 19th on the list.

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) • 74
8. Gary Pinkel (Toledo/1991-00) • 73
9. Trevor J. Rees (Kent State/1951-63) • 66
10. Bill Mallory (MU/1969-73, NIU/1980-83) • 64
11. Chris Creighton (EMU/2014-pres) • 63
12. Al Molde (Western Michigan/1987-96) • 62
12. Joe Novak (NIU/1997-07) • 62

UPPER HALF
Since 2016, Eastern has posted 60 wins, which ranks as the sixth-most victories of any team in the MAC.
83 • Toledo
80 • Ohio
72 • Western Michigan
69 • Miami
62 • Buffalo
60 • Eastern Michigan
57 • Central Michigan
45 • Ball State
40 • Bowling Green
37 • Kent State
33 • Akron
22 • UMass
1 • Sacramento State
* updated through 9/26/26

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). Six players returned this season that have previously worn The Zero, including two-time honorees Carter Evans and Barry Manning, along with Quincy Byas, Caleb 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
The second of back-to-back Mid-American Conference road games awaits Eastern Michigan next week as the Eagles will travel to InfoCision Stadium to take on the University of Akron in Akron, Ohio. The game is set to kickoff at 3:30 p.m. with the television designation to be announced later this week. Tom Helmer and Rob Rubick will have the call on WEMU (89.1 FM), the Varsity Network app, and SiriusXM radio.

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Players Mentioned

Jefferson Adam

Samuel Adjin

Joshua Anderson

Braydon Bennett

Amareon Blue

Quincy Byas

Peyton Christian

Caleb Coley

Mark Debiak

Nick Devereaux

Caleb Dobbs

Bryce Eliuk

Carter Evans

Nicholas Gallegos

Makhi Gilbert

Horace Glenn III

Ronn Hardin

Rudy Kessinger

Noah Kim

Bryce Llewellyn

Terry Lockett Jr.

Joshua Long

Harold Mack

Barry Manning

Jason Marshall

Elgin McDuffey

Dontae McMillan

Zach Mowchan

Noah Patterson

Benson Prosper

Donmiel Rogers

Juan Salas

Dennis Strey Jr.

Warren-Stevens Tayou

Jordan Toney

Jamarien Wheeler

Dalin Wilkins

Davion Williams

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