Football

For the first time since 2021, Central Michigan football was back in a bowl game — but it was Northwestern that controlled the GameAbove Sports Bowl from start to finish in a 34–7 win at Ford Field.

Eastern Michigan finished its road schedule strong, cruising past Ball State 24–9 at Scheumann Stadium. Balanced offense and timely kicking from Rudy Kessinger kept the Eagles in control from start to finish.

Eastern Michigan survived a back-and-forth battle with Bowling Green, capped by a 44-yard game-winning field goal from Rudy Kessinger with under a minute left, lifting the Eagles to a 27–21 victory at Rynearson Stadium.

Eastern Michigan overcame an 80-yard touchdown to Northern Illinois and rallied late with a field goal and a touchdown pass to secure a 16–10 victory at Rynearson Stadium. Rudy Kessinger’s leg and Noah Kim’s poise were key in the Eagles’ second-half comeback.

Eastern Michigan battled back, but Central Michigan’s big first quarter proved too much. Despite late scores from EMU, the Chippewas held on for a 24–13 win in front of a packed Kelly/Shorts Stadium crowd of 28,605.

Eastern Michigan needed one more drive — and they executed it perfectly. With just three seconds left, Rudy Kessinger drilled a 42-yard field goal to lift the Eagles past Louisiana 34–31, sealing a wild back-and-forth finish that featured big runs, defensive swings, and a near-comeback.