In a nail-biting Mid-American Conference clash on Saturday, Oct. 10, 2026, Eastern Michigan University secured a dramatic 25-23 victory over the University of Akron at InfoCision Stadium in Akron, Ohio.
Eagles escape Akron to stay unbeaten in MAC play
Guided by kicker Rudy Kessinger’s four field goals, including a game-winning 48-yarder with 1:50 remaining, the Eagles overcame a late fourth-quarter deficit to improve to 4-3 overall and 3-0 in MAC play. The win marked EMU's first 3-0 start to conference play since 1995 and pushed the Zips to 1-5 overall and 0-2 in league play.
Opening strikes and lead changes
Eastern Michigan received the opening kickoff and marched 70 yards in 11 plays, finishing with a 23-yard field goal by Rudy Kessinger to take an early 3-0 lead. Akron answered on its first drive, traveling 83 yards in 11 plays to take a 7-3 lead. Early in the second quarter, EMU quarterback Noah Kim capped a 12-play, 75-yard drive with a 1-yard touchdown plunge on fourth-and-goal to put the Eagles back ahead 10-7. However, Akron quickly responded as quarterback Brayden Roggow connected with Marcel Williams on a 40-yard touchdown pass to retake a 14-10 lead.
Halftime scoreboard and defense holds
Eastern Michigan narrowed the deficit on its next possession when Kessinger drilled a 22-yard field goal to finish an 11-play, 88-yard drive. Shortly before halftime, an EMU pass was tipped and intercepted at the EMU 41-yard line. Nevertheless, the Eagles' defense stiffened and forced an Akron punt, preserving the 14-13 halftime lead for the hosting Zips.
Lovett's blocked punt flips momentum
Akron opened the third quarter with a 9-play, 53-yard drive that yielded a 40-yard field goal, widening its advantage to 17-13. After an EMU fumble on the following drive, the momentum shifted dramatically when Eli Lovett burst through the line to block an Akron punt. Marvell Eggleston recovered the ball at the Akron 22-yard line, setting up Kessinger for a 33-yard field goal that cut the deficit to 17-16. Head coach Chris Creighton noted postgame that the entire punt-blocking team was made up of team captains who focused on executing the block all week.
Late-game heroics: Touchdowns and Kessinger's game-winner
EMU regained the lead at 22-17 early in the fourth quarter when Kim found Harold Mack Jr. for an 8-yard touchdown pass, though the two-point conversion attempt failed. Akron answered with a 9-play, 92-yard drive as Roggow connected with Marquese Williams for a 27-yard touchdown pass with 6:27 remaining. Akron’s two-point pass sailed high, leaving the Zips ahead 23-22. EMU then constructed an 11-play, 42-yard drive capped by Kessinger’s clutch 48-yard field goal with 1:50 on the clock. Akron pushed 46 yards to set up a potential game-winning 47-yard field goal with 19 seconds left, but the kick sailed wide left to seal the EMU win.
Record-breaking individual outings
Noah Kim finished 26 of 46 passing for 277 yards, one touchdown, and one interception, while eclipsing 4,000 career passing yards (4,254) and 400 completions (412) at EMU. Tight end Joshua Long delivered a career day with nine receptions for 114 yards, becoming the first EMU tight end to achieve a 100-yard receiving game since 2014 and tying the school's single-game reception record for a tight end. Running back Joey Mattord provided ground support with 73 rushing yards on 18 carries while adding 24 receiving yards. For Akron, Jordan Gant rushed for 117 yards, while Brayden Roggow threw three touchdown passes.
Program milestones for coach Chris Creighton
Defensively, linebacker Bryce Eliuk posted a career-high nine tackles for Eastern Michigan, while Quincy Byas added seven tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, and 2.0 sacks. Kessinger’s four field goals tied the second-highest single-game total in school history. The victory marked EMU head coach Chris Creighton’s 65th win at the helm, moving him into sole possession of 10th place on the MAC all-time coaching wins list. EMU won despite losing the turnover battle 2-0, improving to 32-33 in one-score games since 2016. Next up, Eastern Michigan next hosts Toledo for the Eagles' homecoming game Oct. 17, while Akron visits Miami, Ohio.
