For the first time since 2005, the Eastern Michigan Eagles have the opportunity to begin their Mid-American Conference campaign undefeated through three games. The last time this was done… 1995.
The Eagles already rewrote history last week, and this week they can do it again. Only one team stands in their way.
The Akron Zips.
While Akron is only 1-4 and 0-1 in MAC play after losing to Central Michigan 41-17, they seem to have Eastern Michigan’s number. Two years ago, the Zips shocked the Eagles in Akron, 25-21, in one of the most demoralizing losses that Eastern Michigan has taken in recent memory.
The Eagles haven't beaten the Zips on the road since 2022, so this will be a test to exercise the ghosts of seasons past while attempting to write a new chapter against a team that, from the outside, looks to be at the bottom of all of college football.
The Zips are only averaging 19 points per game while giving up 34. Both sides of the ball have struggled mightily this season, and there isn’t anything to write home about.
Akron’s offense is led by quarterback Brayden Roggow, who earned his starting spot in week four after trading off the quarterbacking duties with Cibastian Broughton through the first three weeks of the season.
Roggow has thrown the same amount of interceptions this season as touchdowns he’s scored, which is four for each: three in the air and one on the ground. Roggow is completing only 56% of his passes and has struggled against fast-moving defenses because it is hard for him to get outside the pocket and extend plays with his legs. Roggow has been sacked eight times and has rushed for -31 yards this season.
All of these statistics are great news for the Eagles defense because of their history struggling against mobile quarterbacks. If they know that the Akron offensive line has struggled to protect their quarterback, it would seem that they will be prepared to attack the quarterback at every given opportunity.
Although getting after the quarterback is what the front seven are hoping to do, the Zips are just as likely to run the ball. Running back Jordan Gant will be taking the majority of the snaps for Akron but splits snaps with other backs in a similar fashion to the way Eastern Michigan operates their run game.
Gant’s best game came just last week in the loss to Central Michigan, so the Eagles must be prepared for the continued usage of the run game if the Zips believe they have an advantage. Zach Mowchan will be leading the front seven as they look to wreak havoc among the struggling Akron offense, while Bryce Llwellyn and Caleb Dobbs continue to shine in the secondary.
With Akron’s passing offense being inconsistent and Roggow’s history of putting the football in harm's way, this could be another big game for the Eagles secondary to force turnovers, putting their offense in the best possible position to score points and getting off the field. Too many times, the Eagle’s defense has gotten stuck out on the field as opposing teams offenses march up and down, but in the last two weeks, the defense has continually dominated in the trenches and found ways to stop oncoming offenses. This trend must continue for the Eagles to remain undefeated in the MAC.
On the offensive side of the ball, Noah Kim and company must continue the good habits they have been building on all season. Last week finally showed Eastern fans that this offense has the potential to be great, both on the ground and in the air, but to accomplish their goals this season, it can’t be just one game where we see it in motion.
This game will be just another audition as they attempt to be great.
Last week, Eastern Michigan also showed us the capabilities of the run game with having three premier backs that they can turn to. Amareon Blue and Braydon Bennett had been receiving much of the carries through the first five games of the season. Joey Mattord, finally, turned a corner and exposed just how important he could be to this Eagles offense.
With the running game operating at its full potential and Kim slinging the pigskin all over the field, the Eagles are finally getting hot at the right time. Akron’s defense has struggled all season against a balanced offensive attack, so this could be another game that Eastern dominates on both sides of the ball.
Star wide receiver Nick Devereaux is once again expected to be out, so Harold Mack, Benson Prosper, and Kozy Issac will once again be tasked with stepping up and making plays in his place. After how successful that trio has been over the last two weeks, there should be no doubts that they can do it once again.
Rudy Kessinger and the special teams crew may play a role in this game as well, but after how well all three phases of the game have meshed together in the past two weeks, one can only hope Kessinger will only be needed for PATs instead of field goals.
Punter Daniel Hull got to take a week off last week, as he was not needed for duty against UMass, and as much as he likes being on the field, he has to like the idea of another week off from punting duties and just holding the football for Kessinger on field goal and PAT attempts.
Eastern Michigan is one win away from creating more history, but to do so, they need to defeat a struggling but pesky Akron team that, in recent times, has given Eastern Michigan everything that they’ve got.
Both the offense and defense have shown fans this season what true Eastern Michigan football looks like, but now will be a test of just how good they can become. Noah Kim and Zach Mowchan must lead their respective sides to ensure an Eagle’s victory and prevent the upset Akron is trying to orchestrate. Stranger things have happened, especially during MACtion, so the Eagles need to control the game from the get-go in order to control the outcome.
ESPN analytics give Eastern Michigan a 64% chance to win on the road for the second time this season, but in order to do so, they must remain diligent and smart, taking advantage of every opportunity that allows them to return home to Ypsilanti with an undefeated MAC record as they look ahead to a date with the Toledo Rockets for Eastern Michigan’s homecoming game.
