On Aug. 29, 2026, the Eastern Michigan Eagles started the season with a home win over the Sacramento State Hornets. This is the first year of FBS football for the Hornets, who are now members of the Mid-American Conference. The 28-17 conference win for Eastern gives them momentum as they prepare to play the San José State University Spartans on Friday, Sept. 4, 2026.
First half success
The first quarter started slowly for both teams. No points were scored, and eight total punts were kicked. Once the second quarter began, the Eagles found their groove. Noah Kim led the charge by completing two 25-yard passes to Benson Prosper before scoring a 5-yard rushing touchdown. Kim went on to throw a 40-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Kozy Isaac.
Kim ended the 2025 season as the conference leader in passing yards and is looking to continue that production into this season.
The questions about what the ground game would look like were answered by this home opener. After the graduation of Dontae McMillan, who was one of the conference's top running backs last year, there was some question as to who would fill his cleats. Two players who stepped up into the role were Amareon Blue and Braydon Bennett, who combined for 82 rushing yards, including an 18-yard run by Blue and a 7-yard rushing touchdown by Bennett. The Eagles had a 21-10 lead heading into halftime.
Sealing the deal
The second half of the game was not as lopsided as the first. Neither team scored in the third quarter, but both scored seven points in the fourth quarter. The last touchdown for the Eagles was a 31-yard receiving touchdown by Nick Devereaux, pushing the score to 28-17. The Hornets attempted to make the comeback, but the win for the Eagles was sealed when Jason Marshall got a late-game interception.
Defensive wins
The Eagles’ defensive line kept pressure on the Hornets for the entirety of the game and seems to have shown significant improvement since last season. The highlights of the defensive line were sacks from Quincy Byas and Joseph Oluwayemi. In total, the Hornets were held to only 49 rushing yards. The Eastern Michigan secondary proved efficient as well. Hornets quarterback Carson Conklin was held to no touchdowns and one interception by Jason Marshall. Eagles Head coach Chris Creighton had positive remarks for the defense in the postgame press conference. “I'm super proud of the start we’re off to defensively ... they really saved us,” Creighton said.
Co-coordinators debut
This game was the first time co-coordinators Tate Omli and Kasey Teegardin took the field as a duo, and the energy surrounding the defense proved to be significantly higher than the previous season. “Defensively, they changed everything...they changed their mindsets...they are coming different this year in every aspect of the game,” said wide receiver Nick Devereaux in the postgame press conference.
Looking ahead
The Eagles will look to continue their success as they prepare to take on the San José State Spartans. The game will take place at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 4, at Rynearson Stadium in Ypsilanti, Michigan.
