Eastern Michigan Opens MAC Play Against Central Michigan

MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) – Eastern Michigan University will kick off its Mid-American Conference (MAC) schedule on Saturday, September 30, against Central Michigan University. The game is set to begin at 1 p.m. at Kelly/Shorts Stadium.

After four non-conference games, Eastern Michigan heads into this matchup with a record of 1-3, fresh off a dramatic 34-31 victory over the University of Louisiana where the Eagles secured a win with a last-minute 42-yard field goal.

Central Michigan, currently sitting at 2-2, is coming off an impressive 49-10 win against Wagner, showcasing their offense’s capability and a strong defensive performance that included two turnovers.

“Opening MAC play is exciting for us, and we are ready to show our strengths against Central,” said EMU Head Coach. “The team has been focusing on refining our game strategy, and the players are eager to get out there.”

This game also marks the beginning of EMU’s quest for the Michigan MAC Trophy, awarded annually to one of the Michigan-based MAC teams based on head-to-head competition. EMU has previously won the trophy five times since its inception in 2005.

The rivalry between EMU and CMU is a long-standing one, dating back to their first meeting in 1902. The teams will meet for the 103rd time, with Central Michigan leading the all-time series at 64-32-6. The most recent meeting took place on September 30, 2023, where CMU edged EMU 26-23.

Fans can catch the game live on ESPN+, with play-by-play commentary provided by Doug Sherman and analysis by Marcus Ray.

Following this rivalry matchup, Eastern Michigan will host the University at Buffalo on October 4.