2026 MAC Football Week 5 Game Preview: Eastern Michigan Eagles at UMass Minutemen

As October arrives, UMass (4-0, 1-0 MAC) and Eastern Michigan (2-3, 1-0 MAC) find themselves in different places.

Eastern Michigan desperately needs a win to keep its bowl hopes on track as their schedule toughens up over the next few weeks after a rough non-conference slate which did not see them play very comfortably at any point in the last month-plus. The Minutemen– favorites by a not-insignificant amount– will try to continue their dream undefeated season in front of what is expected to be a sold-out crowd. As the MAC's lone undefeated team, the pressure is on the home squad to pull through and continue one of the most improbable comebacks in decades.

This game is crucial for both teams and could go a long way toward determining the trajectories of their respective seasons.

Game Notes

• Time and date: Saturday, October 3, 2026 at 3:30 p.m. Eastern time
• Location: McGuirk Alumni Stadium in Amherst, Massachusetts
• Network: This game will be streamed exclusively on ESPN+. A valid subscription is required for viewing.
• Eastern Michigan radio: Tom Helmer (play-by-play) and Rob Rubick (color) will provide the EMU call for WEMU-FM 89.1.
• UMass radio: Jay Burnham (play-by-play) and Matt Goldstein (color) will provide the UMass call for 101.5 WHMP-FM.
• Gambling considerations: UMass is a 6.5-point favorite, with an over/under of 48.5.
• All-time series: Eastern Michigan leads 4-2, with the last contest won by EMU by a final score of 28-14 on Aug. 31st, 2024– UMass' final year of independence. EMU has won the last four games (2021-24) after losing the first two in the series.

UMass outlook

The UMass Minutemen are one game away from its first 5-0 start since 1975.

UMass shook off any concerns of jet lag to easily defeat Sacramento State 35-6 last week, with their stout running attack taking center stage once again, running for 232 yards against the Hornets. Pop Watson III did not have to throw much once again, attempting 16 passes, but had his best game as a runner last week with 72 yards and two touchdowns on seven carries.

Curtis Kimmons IV (227 yards) and Elijah Faulkner (189 yards, 2 TDs) should perform well against an Eastern Michigan run defense allowing 164 non-sack rushing yards per game and 5.3 non-sack yards per carry. This run game has set up the deep passing game well. T.Y. Harding (17 yards per catch on 13 receptions) and Joe Griffin (16.8 yards per catch on eight receptions) occasionally catch opposing defenses off guard.

Despite UMass’ balanced offensive attack, the strength of this team may be its defense. The Minutemen enter the game allowing 12.8 points and 283 yards per game. The run defense is the most impressive, allowing 96 non-sack rushing yards per game and 3.2 yards per carry. The Minutemen front seven should thrive against an uncharacteristically ineffective Eastern Michigan run game.

The UMass front seven is well-rounded, with ten players notching at least half a sack. William Depaepe leads the pack with two sacks. Last week, the Minutemen got to Sacramento State’s Jackson Sharman four times.

Timmy Hinspeter leads the linebacking corps with 30 tackles. Hinspeter showed his superb coverage ability with a game-clinching interception return for a touchdown last week.

The secondary is another well-rounded group. Four defensive backs have at least two pass breakups on the season. Jahmad Harmon has three interceptions while Isaiah Reed has one. Safeties Kendall Bourne and Zeraun Daniel are not as much of a presence in the passing game, but they rank second and third on the team in tackles, respectively.

Despite offense and defense receiving most of the attention, UMass' special teams has been excellent. Derek Morris has made seven of his nine field goals, including both attempts from over 50 yards. Edward Phillipson is averaging 49 yards per punt. In the return game, T.Y. Harding took a punt 82 yards for a touchdown against Stonehill.

Eastern Michigan outlook

Many expected Eastern Michigan to have a prolific passing game with the experience Noah Kim at the helm. However, hardly anyone expected it to come at the expense of their usually steady running game. The Eagles enter the game averaging 103 non-sack rushing yards per game against FBS competition. Amareon Blue (243 rushing yards and two touchdowns) and Braydon Bennett (153 yards and one touchdown) lead the backfield.

Still, the run game seems to be trending upward, the Eagles ran for 139 yards against Lindenwood last week. Joey Mattord had his best game of the season with 48 yards to add to Blue and Bennett's usual contributions.

Noah Kim is one of the best quarterbacks in the MAC, but has had a bit of a slow start. After throwing for 178 yards per game in the Eagles' first four games, Kim had his best game of the season last week with 257 passing yards and a pair of touchdowns. Kim has one of the best receiving corps in the MAC at his disposal. Benson Prosper (21 receptions for 220 yards), Harold Mack (20 receptions for 215 yards) and Joshua Long (17 receptions for 131 yards) will give the UMass secondary its most challenging test since the season opener.

(Nick Devereaux, who has 15 receptions for 143 yards and came into the season as one of EMU's leading returners, missed the last game with an injury and is questionable for this week– though he is listed as starter on kick return and on the two-deep at X-receiver.)

On defense, sixth-year senior linebacker Zach Mowchan leads the team in tackles with 43. Mowchan provides a solid foundation in the middle for Eastern Michigan's unique 3-3-5 scheme, and will hopefully be available after taking a late knock vs. Lindenwood last week. Ronn Hardin and Quincy Bias anchor the defensive line with two sacks apiece.

Like UMass, the Eagles have an excellent secondary. Bryce Llewellyn once again leads the secondary. He has 24 tackles and three pass breakups on the year. Nonetheless, he may not be the most feared player in the position group. After breaking up just two passes last year, Caleb Dobbs already has five in the Eagles' first five games. He also caught an interception against San Jose State. Jason Marshall (29 tackles) and Juan Salas (21 tackles) are both solid run stoppers from the safety position. 

On special teams, Eastern Michigan has been mostly average in the return game. Daniel Hull has been solid punting the ball with a 43-yard average and nine fair catches on 24 kicks. Kicker Rudy Kessinger is 4-7 on field goals, but made a 51-yard kick against Lindenwood.

Prediction

Eastern Michigan is UMass' toughest test to date. The Eagles have a tough defense that has picked up the slack for a disappointing offense. However, their inability to run the ball may force them to throw early and often. This could prove problematic against the Minutemen's ball-hawking secondary. While Eastern Michigan has a better run defense than any of UMass' prior opponents, it may not be enough to stop the Minutemen from moving the ball consistently on the ground. The Minutemen should win a competitive game that could come down to the wire.

UMass 31, Eastern Michigan 24