2025 Eastern Michigan Eagles football team

2025 Eastern Michigan Eagles football
Conference	Mid-American Conference
Record	1–4 (0–1 MAC)
Head coach	Chris Creighton (12th season)
Offensive coordinator	Mike Piatkowski (3rd season)
Defensive coordinator	Ben Needham (3rd season)
Home stadium	Rynearson Stadium
Seasons ←  2024 2026 →

2025 Mid-American Conference football standings

v t e	Conf.							Overall
Team		W		L					W		L
Central Michigan		1	–	0					3	–	2
Ohio		1	–	0					3	–	2
Buffalo		1	–	0					2	–	3
Western Michigan		1	–	0					2	–	3
Toledo		1	–	1					3	–	2
Ball State		0	–	0					1	–	3
Miami (OH)		0	–	0					1	–	3
Northern Illinois		0	–	0					1	–	3
UMass		0	–	0					0	–	4
Bowling Green		0	–	1					2	–	3
Kent State		0	–	1					1	–	3
Akron*		0	–	1					1	–	4
Eastern Michigan		0	–	1					1	–	4
Championship: December 6, 2025
* Ineligible for postseason play due to low APR score As of September 30, 2025

The 2025 Eastern Michigan Eagles football team represent Eastern Michigan University in the Mid-American Conference (MAC) during the 2025 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Eagles are led by Chris Creighton in his twelfth year as the head coach. The Eagles play their home games at Rynearson Stadium, located in Ypsilanti, Michigan.

Preseason

The MAC Football Kickoff was held on Thursday, July 24, 2025, at the Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan from 9:00 am EDT to 1:30 pm EDT. ^[1]

Preseason polls

Coaches Poll

On July 24 the MAC announced the preseason coaches' poll. ^[2]

MAC Coaches poll
Predicted finish	Team	Votes (1st place)
1	Toledo	135 (7)
2	Miami	131 (3)
3	Ohio	123 (3)
4	Buffalo	115
5	Northern Illinois	94
6	Bowling Green	81
7	Western Michigan	71
8	Eastern Michigan	68
9	Central Michigan	65
10	Ball State	41
T11	Akron	39
T11	Massachusetts	39
13	Kent State	12

Coaches poll (MAC Championship)
Predicted finish	Team	Votes
1	Toledo	6
2	Miami	4
3	Ohio	3

Schedule

Date	Time	Opponent	Site	TV	Result	Attendance
August 30	8:00 p.m.	at Texas State *	UFCU Stadium San Marcos, TX	ESPN+	L 27–52	21,082
September 6	7:00 p.m.	LIU *	Rynearson Stadium Ypsilanti, MI	ESPN+	L 23–28	15,313
September 13	7:30 p.m.	at Kentucky *	Kroger Field Lexington, KY	ESPNU	L 23–48	58,489
September 20	3:30 p.m.	Louisiana *	Rynearson Stadium Ypsilanti, MI	ESPN+	W 34–31
September 27	1:00 p.m.	at Central Michigan	Kelly/Shorts Stadium Mount Pleasant, MI (rivalry, Michigan MAC Trophy)	ESPN+	L 13–24	28,605
October 4	3:30 p.m.	at Buffalo	UB Stadium Buffalo, NY	ESPN+
October 11	1:00 p.m.	Northern Illinois	Rynearson Stadium Ypsilanti, MI	ESPN+
October 18		at Miami (OH)	Yager Stadium Oxford, OH
October 25		Ohio	Rynearson Stadium Ypsilanti, MI
November 8		Bowling Green	Rynearson Stadium Ypsilanti, MI
November 15		at Ball State	Scheumann Stadium Muncie, IN
November 25		Western Michigan	Rynearson Stadium Ypsilanti, MI (Michigan MAC Trophy)	ESPN2/ESPN+
*Non-conference game Homecoming All times are in Eastern time

^{[3] [4]}

Game summaries

at Texas State

See also: 2025 Texas State Bobcats football team

Eastern Michigan Eagles (0–0) at Texas State Bobcats (0–0) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Eagles	3	14	0	10	27
Bobcats	14	10	14	14	52

at UFCU Stadium • San Marcos, Texas

• Date: August 30
• Game time: 7:00 PM CDT
• Game weather: Sunny, 92 °F (33 °C)
• Game attendance: 21,082
• Referee: Jeremy Parker
• TV announcers (ESPN+): Brant Freeman (play-by-play) and Bill Culhane (analyst)

Game information

First Quarter TXST – Beau Sparks 16-yard pass from Brad Jackson (Tyler Robles kick), 13:19. Bobcats 7–0. Drive: 4 plays, 75 yards, 1:41. EMU – Rudy Kessinger 24-yard field goal, 8:47. Bobcats 7–3. Drive: 9 plays, 68 yards, 4:32. TXST – Beau Sparks 15-yard pass from Brad Jackson (Tyler Robles kick), 6:41. Bobcats 14–3. Drive: 6 plays, 75 yards, 2:06. Second Quarter EMU – Tavierre Dunlap 2-yard run (Rudy Kessinger kick), 13:33. Bobcats 14–10. Drive: 8 plays, 80 yards, 3:24. TXST – Tyler Robles 24-yard field goal, 8:39. Bobcats 17–10. Drive: 12 plays, 68 yards, 4:54. TXST – Lincoln Pare 22-yard run (Tyler Robles kick), 3:56. Bobcats 24–10. Drive: 5 plays, 92 yards, 3:00. EMU – Joshua Long 16-yard pass from Noah Kim (Rudy Kessinger kick), 0:12. Bobcats 24–17. Drive: 11 plays, 65 yards, 3:44. Third Quarter TXST – Beau Sparks 3-yard pass from Brad Jackson (Tyler Robles kick), 7:18. Bobcats 31–17. Drive: 10 plays, 80 yards, 4:58. TXST – Beau Sparks 5-yard pass from Brad Jackson (Tyler Robles kick), 0:19. Bobcats 38–17. Drive: 9 plays, 66 yards, 5:23. Fourth Quarter TXST – Greg Burrell 15-yard run (Tyler Robles kick), 12:19. Bobcats 45–17. Drive: 5 plays, 35 yards, 2:19. EMU – Rudy Kessinger 37-yard field goal, 6:29. Bobcats 45–20. Drive: 10 plays, 56 yards, 5:50. TXST – Jaylen Jenkins 58-yard run (Tyler Robles kick), 4:02. Bobcats 52–20. Drive: 5 plays, 74 yards, 2:25. EMU – Joey Mattord 7-yard run (Rudy Kessinger kick), 0:41. Bobcats 52–27. Drive: 13 plays, 75 yards, 3:21.

Statistics	EMU	TXST
First downs	23	30
Total yards	391	606
Rushing yards	143	392
Passing yards	248	214
Passing: Comp–Att–Int	23–34–0	18–27–0
Time of possession	29:02	30:58

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Eastern Michigan	Passing	Noah Kim	23/34, 248 yards, TD
	Rushing	Dontae McMillan	9 rushes, 78 yards
	Receiving	Terry Lockett Jr.	5 receptions, 62 yards
Texas State	Passing	Brad Jackson	18/26, 214 yards, 4 TD
	Rushing	Lincoln Pare	12 rushes, 167 yards, TD
	Receiving	Beau Sparks	7 receptions, 82 yards, 4 TD

LIU (FCS)

See also: 2025 LIU Sharks football team

LIU Sharks (FCS) (0–1) at Eastern Michigan Eagles (0–1) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Sharks (FCS)	7	7	0	14	28
Eagles	3	7	0	13	23

at Rynearson Stadium • Ypsilanti, Michigan

• Date: September 6
• Game time: 7:00 PM EDT
• Game attendance: 15,313
• Referee: Gregory Gompf
• TV announcers (ESPN+): Dan Gutowsky (play-by-play) and Ryan Cavanaugh (analyst)

Game information

First quarter LIU – Ethan Greenwood 65-yard run (Lance Maiberg kick), 10:46. Sharks 7–0. Drive: 5 plays, 90 yards, 2:17. EMU – Rudy Kessinger 32-yard field goal, 6:43. Sharks 7–3. Drive: 10 plays, 58 yards, 3:56. Second quarter LIU – Ethan Greenwood 2-yard run (Lance Maiberg kick), 13:34. Sharks 14–3. Drive: 6 plays, 86 yards, 3:31. EMU – Dontae McMillan 33-yard pass from Noah Kim (Rudy Kessinger kick), 10:19. Sharks 14–10. Drive: 8 plays, 70 yars, 3:10. Third quarter No scoring plays. Fourth quarter LIU – Luca Stanzani 14-yard run (Lance Maiberg kick), 12:21. Sharks 21–10. Drive: 1 play, 14 yards, 0:06. EMU – Dontae McMillan 40-yard run (pass failed), 11:40. Sharks 21–16. Drive: 2 plays, 59 yards, 0:31. LIU – Luca Stanzani 2-yard run (Lance Maiberg kick), 1:56. Sharks 28–16. Drive: 16 plays, 75 yards, 9:44. EMU – Jamarien Wheeler 5-yard pass from Noah Kim (Rudy Kessinger kick), 0:41. Sharks 28–23. Drive: 8 plays, 56 yards, 1:08.

Statistics	LIU	EMU
First downs	21	17
Total yards	479	311
Rushing yards	231	122
Passing yards	248	189
Passing: Comp–Att–Int	15-24-0	18–29–0
Time of possession	37:53	22:07

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
LIU	Passing	Luca Stanzani	12/18, 143 yards
	Rushing	Ethan Greenwood	7 rushes, 91 yards, 2 TD
	Receiving	Luca Stanzani	1 reception, 74 yards
Eastern Michigan	Passing	Noah Kim	18/29, 189 yards, 2 TD
	Rushing	Dontae McMillan	8 rushes, 58 yards, 1 TD
	Receiving	Terry Lockett Jr.	8 receptions, 78 yards

at Kentucky

See also: 2025 Kentucky Wildcats football team

Eastern Michigan Eagles (0–2) at Kentucky Wildcats (1–1) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Eagles	3	13	0	7	23
Wildcats	14	14	10	10	48

at Kroger Field • Lexington, Kentucky

• Date: September 13
• Game time: 7:30 PM EDT
• Game weather: Clear • Temperature: 79 °F (26 °C)
• Game attendance: 58,489
• Referee: Ken Williamson
• TV announcers (ESPNU): Clay Matvick (play-by-play) and Chase Daniel (analyst)

Game information

First quarter UK – Seth McGowan 4 yard-run (Jacob Kauwe kick), 14:11 Wildcats 7–0. Drive: 2 plays, 10 yards, 0:39. UK – Seth McGowan 12 yd rush (Jacob Kauwe kick), 05:32 Wildcats 14–0. Drive: 11 plays, 79 yards, 5:09. EMU – Rudy Kessinger 38 yd FG, 02:20 Wildcats 14–3. Drive: 8 plays, 55 yards, 3:12. Second quarter UK – Willie Rodriguez 3 yd pass from Cutter Boley (Jacob Kauwe KICK) Wildcats 21–3. Drive: 5 plays, 54 yards, 1:52. EMU – Rudy Kessinger 37 yd FG, 5:19 10 plays, 56 yards, 4:59 Wildcats 21–6. Drive: 10 plays, 56 yards, 4:59. UK – Josh Kattus 4 yd pass from Cutter Boley (Jacob Kauwe KICK) Wildcats 28–6. Drive: 7 plays, 75 yards, 3:23. EMU – Terry Lockett Jr. 64 yd pass from Noah Kim (Rudy Kessinger KICK), 1:36 Wildcats 28–13. Drive: 3 plays, 75 yards, 0:19. EMU – Rudy Kessinger 50 yd FG, 0:03, Wildcats 28–16. Drive: 5 plays, 34 yards, 0:47. Third quarter UK – Jacob Kauwe 51 yd FG, 8:13, Wildcats 31–16. Drive: 7 plays, 30 yards, 2:38. UK – Seth McGowan 8 yd rush (J.Kauwe kick), Wildcats 38–16. Drive: 4 plays, 27 yards, 1:21. Fourth quarter UK – Jacob Kauwe 24 yd FG, 13:16, Wildcats 41–16. Drive: 7 plays, 51 yards, 3:38. UK – Jason Patterson 6 yd rush (Jacob Kauwe kick), 4:46, Wildcats 48–16. Drive: 10 plays, 63 yards, 5:20. EMU – Noah Kim 5 yd rush, 0:58 (Rudy Kessinger KICK), Wildcats 48–23. Drive: 12 plays, 75 yards, 3:48.

Statistics	EMU	UK
First downs	21	24
Total yards	461	492
Rushing yards	131	252
Passing yards	330	240
Passing: Comp–Att–Int	25–43–1	12–21–0
Time of possession	30:04	29:55

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Eastern Michigan	Passing	Noah Kim	25/42, 330 yards, TD, INT
	Rushing	Dontae McMillan	13 carries, 83 yards
	Receiving	Terry Lockett Jr.	3 receptions, 90 yards, TD
Kentucky	Passing	Cutter Boley	12/21, 240 yards, 2 TD
	Rushing	Seth McGowan	18 carries, 104 yards
	Receiving	Josh Kattus	3 receptions, 64 yards, TD

Louisiana

See also: 2025 Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns football team

Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns (1–2) at Eastern Michigan Eagles (0–3) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Ragin' Cajuns	7	10	7	7	31
Eagles	7	14	0	13	34

at Rynearson Stadium • Ypsilanti, Michigan

• Date: September 20
• Game time: 3:30 p.m. EDT
• Game weather: Sunny • Temperature: 79 °F (26 °C) • Wind: E at 7 miles per hour (11 km/h)
• Game attendance: 18,371
• Referee: Tim Barker
• TV announcers (ESPN+): Jason Ross Jr. (play-by-play) and Tyoka Jackson (analyst)

Game information

First Quarter (11:32) ULL – Zylan Perry 23-yard run, Tony Sterner kick (Drive: 7 plays, 75 yards, 3:28; Louisiana 7–0) (5:07) EMU – Noah Kim 3-yard run, Rudy Kessinger kick (Drive: 8 plays, 54 yards, 3:31; Tied 7–7) Second Quarter (14:56) ULL – Tony Sterner 38-yard field goal (Drive: 12 plays, 54 yards, 5:11; Louisiana 10–7) (12:31) EMU – Tavierre Dunlap 2-yard run, Rudy Kessinger kick (Drive: 5 plays, 60 yards, 2:17; Eastern Michigan 14–10) (9:32) ULL – Bill Davis 45-yard run, Tony Sterner kick (Drive: 7 plays, 75 yards, 2:53; Louisiana 17–14) (1:13) EMU – Joshua Long 15-yard pass from Noah Kim, Rudy Kessinger kick (Drive: 7 plays, 52 yards, 2:11; Eastern Michigan 21–17) Third Quarter (5:20) ULL – Courtline Flowers 35-yard interception, Tony Sterner kick (Louisiana 24–21) Fourth Quarter (14:55) EMU – Tavierre Dunlap 6-yard run, Rudy Kessinger kick (Drive: 11 plays, 75 yards, 5:25; Eastern Michigan 28–24) (10:16) EMU – Rudy Kessinger 49-yard field goal (Drive: 4 plays, 6 yards, 2:06; Eastern Michigan 31–24) (0:47) ULL – Zylan Perry 10-yard run, Tony Sterner kick (Drive: 7 plays, 65 yards, 1:21; Tied 31–31) (0:03) EMU – Rudy Kessinger 42-yard field goal (Drive: 7 plays, 41 yards, 0:41; Eastern Michigan 34–31)

Statistics	UL	EMU
First downs	22	20
Total yards	451	409
Rushing yards	214	183
Passing yards	237	226
Passing: Comp–Att–Int	21–35–2	21–31–1
Time of possession	29:59	30:01

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Louisiana	Passing	Daniel Beale	20/33, 232 yards, 2 INT
	Rushing	Zylan Perry	15 carries, 110 yards, 2 TD
	Receiving	Shelton Sampson Jr.	3 receptions, 87 yards
Eastern Michigan	Passing	Noah Kim	21/31, 226 yards, TD, INT
	Rushing	Dontae McMillan	19 carries, 126 yards
	Receiving	Nick Devereaux	4 receptions, 76 yards

at Central Michigan (rivalry)

See also: 2025 Central Michigan Chippewas football team, Central Michigan–Eastern Michigan football rivalry, and Michigan MAC Trophy

Eastern Michigan Eagles (1–3) vs. Central Michigan Chippewas (2–2) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Eagles	3	3	7	0	13
Chippewas	14	7	0	3	24

at Kelly/Shorts Stadium • Mount Pleasant, Michigan

• Date: September 27
• Game time: 1:00 p.m. EDT
• TV announcers (ESPN+): Doug Sherman (play-by-play) and Marcus Ray (analyst)

Statistics	EMU	CMU
First downs	19	22
Total yards	298	451
Rushing yards	123	311
Passing yards	175	140
Passing: Comp–Att–Int	17-28-1	15-18-0
Time of possession	23:36	35:46

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Eastern Michigan	Passing	Noah Kim	17/28, 175 yards, 1 INT
	Rushing	Dontae McMilan	13 carries, 71 yards
	Receiving	Ben Prosper	3 receptions, 37 yards
Central Michigan	Passing	Joe Labas	14/16, 138 yards, TD
	Rushing	Angel Flores	22 carries, 134 yards
	Receiving	Tommy McIntosh	2 receptions, 59 yards

at Buffalo

See also: 2025 Buffalo Bulls football team

Eastern Michigan Eagles (1–4) vs. Buffalo Bulls (2–3) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Eagles	-	-	-	-	0
Bulls	-	-	-	-	0

at UB Stadium • Buffalo, New York

• Date: October 4
• Game time: 3:30 p.m. EDT
• TV announcers (ESPN+): Shawn Kenney (play-by-play) and Marcus Ray (analyst)

Statistics	EMU	BUFF
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Eastern Michigan	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
Buffalo	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

Northern Illinois

See also: 2025 Northern Illinois Huskies football team

Northern Illinois Huskies (0–0) vs. Eastern Michigan Eagles (0–0) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Huskies	-	-	-	-	0
Eagles	-	-	-	-	0

at Rynearson Stadium • Ypsilanti, Michigan

• Date: October 11
• Game time: 1:00 p.m.
• TV: ESPN+

Statistics	NIU	EMU
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Northern Illinois	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
Eastern Michigan	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

at Miami (OH)

See also: 2025 Miami RedHawks football team

Eastern Michigan Eagles (0–0) vs. Miami RedHawks (0–0) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Eagles	-	-	-	-	0
RedHawks	-	-	-	-	0

at Yager Stadium • Oxford, Ohio

• Date: October 18

Statistics	EMU	M-OH
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Eastern Michigan	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
Miami (OH)	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

Ohio

See also: 2025 Ohio Bobcats football team

Ohio Bobcats (0–0) vs. Eastern Michigan Eagles (0–0) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Bobcats	-	-	-	-	0
Eagles	-	-	-	-	0

at Rynearson Stadium • Ypsilanti, Michigan

• Date: October 25

Statistics	OHIO	EMU
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Ohio	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
Eastern Michigan	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

Bowling Green

See also: 2025 Bowling Green Falcons football team

Bowling Green Falcons (0–0) vs. Eastern Michigan Eagles (0–0) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Falcons	-	-	-	-	0
Eagles	-	-	-	-	0

at Rynearson Stadium • Ypsilanti, Michigan

• Date: November 8

Statistics	BGSU	EMU
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Bowling Green	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
Eastern Michigan	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

at Ball State

See also: 2025 Ball State Cardinals football team

Eastern Michigan Eagles (0–0) vs. Ball State Cardinals (0–0) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Eagles	-	-	-	-	0
Cardinals	-	-	-	-	0

at Scheumann Stadium • Muncie, Indiana

• Date: November 15

Statistics	EMU	BALL
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Eastern Michigan	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
Ball State	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

Western Michigan (Michigan MAC Trophy)

See also: 2025 Western Michigan Broncos football team and Michigan MAC Trophy

Western Michigan Broncos (0–0) vs. Eastern Michigan Eagles (0–0) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Broncos	-	-	-	-	0
Eagles	-	-	-	-	0

at Rynearson Stadium • Ypsilanti, Michigan

• Date: November 25

Statistics	WMU	EMU
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Western Michigan	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
Eastern Michigan	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

References

1. "2025 Division I FBS Media Days". www.sportswriters.net. FWAA. Retrieved June 28, 2025.
2. "Toledo Selected as Favorite in Head Coaches Preseason Football Poll". getsomemaction.com. Mid-American Conference. July 24, 2025. Retrieved July 24, 2025.
3. "2025 Eastern Michigan Football Schedule". FBSchedules.com. Retrieved March 1, 2025.
4. "2025 Football Schedule". Eastern Michigan University Athletics. Retrieved March 1, 2025.