FINAL SCORE: Eastern Michigan 52, Kent State 33

EMU records its first 50-burger since 2021 to open up MAC play.

Image via Eastern Michigan Athletics

For the first time since 2021, Eastern Michigan had a 50-burger. EMU scored off of three straight turnovers in the third quarter in the heavy rain, and over 900 yards of offense were had between the two schools. 

And for the first time since 2016, EMU (4-1 overall, 1-0 MAC) opens up MAC play with a victory after it beat Kent State (0-5, 0-1 MAC) 52-33 on the road.

Like last week, it wasn’t the best-looking victory EMU could’ve walked away with, but it’s a win nonetheless, and now it gets to travel back home knowing that there’s a bye week waiting for it next week.

Here’s how Saturday’s action unfolded:

SCORING DRIVES

First Quarter

1Q, 10:39; 4-YARD RUN BY ELIJAH JACKSON-ANDERSON. EASTERN MICHIGAN 7, KENT STATE 0

EMU came out passing and Cole Snyder went 6 of 7 through the air to get the EMU offense in good scoring position. Delbert Mimms was the recipient of his last pass of the drive, a play-action catch from the backfield, then a short Mimms to the 4-yard line set up Elijah Jackson-Anderson to come in and score on his first touch of the game. The touchdown run was Jackson-Anderson’s first rushing score of his career, third total score. 

1Q, 0:30; 10-YARD RUN BY AYDEN HARRIS. KENT STATE 7, EASTERN MICHIGAN 7. 

Kent State found some magic on its second drive of the game. Tommy Ulatowski got a 24-yard completion to his tight end as he was hit to flip the field, then a pass interference penalty against Jordan Toney gave Kent State great field position in the red zone. Kenni Burns, a running backs coach at heart, called for true freshman Ayden Harris to receive the second-down handoff, and he punched it in for his first career score, tying up the game at Dix Stadium. 

Second Quarter

2Q, 6:31; 27-YARD RUN BY DELBERT MIMMS III. EASTERN MICHIGAN 14, KENT STATE 7.

Linebacker Luke Murphy, against his former team, picked off Tommy Ulatowski to give the EMU offense on the field on Kent’s 27-yard line. One play later, the Eagles found their way in the end zone to retake the lead. Delbert Mimms cruised his way for a score, his fourth of the year.

2Q, 5:04; 43-YARD BY LUKE FLOREIA FROM TOMMY ULATOWSKI. KENT STATE 14, EASTERN MICHIGAN 14. 

After throwing the ball away on his final drive, Ulatowski unloaded on a 43-yard heave to Luke Floreia, who had two touchdown grabs in last year’s game at EMU. Kent State had great field position to start the drive as a 39-yard return gave its offense the ball on its own 40-yard line. 

2Q, 2:12; 4-YARD RUN BY ELIJAH JACKSON-ANDERSON. EASTERN MICHIGAN 21, KENT STATE 14. 

Markus Allen had a pickup of 18 yards, Mimms had a 23-yard run, and Snyder scrambled for 17 to get inside the 5-yard line. Jackson-Anderson, again, punched in another 4-yard score for EMU to re-retake the lead in the first half. 

Third Quarter

3Q, 14:20; 65-YARD CATCH BY CHRISHON MCCRAY FROM TOMMY ULATOWSKI. KENT STATE 21, EASTERN MICHIGAN 21. 

Bad look for EMU’s defense to allow such a big play to happen like that. Chrishon McCray made a catch over the middle look easy, then made all of the missed tackles he left behind him look even easier. 

3Q, 7:10; 2-YARD RUN BY COLE SNYDER. EASTERN MICHIGAN 28, KENT STATE 21.

A second score off of a Kent State turnover, EMU regained the lead in the third quarter with a rushing score by Cole Snyder on a read option play. It was his second rushing touchdown of the year. 

3Q, 4:06; 26-YARD FIELD GOAL BY JESUS GOMEZ. EASTERN MICHIGAN 31, KENT STATE 21.

Off of a second-straight turnover by Kent State, EMU’s offense moved the ball from Kent’s 34 to the 8-yard line before it called on Gomez to finish the drive. He may have missed his first kick of the day from 57 yards out, but his 26-yarder was cash. 

3Q, 1:51; 5-YARD CATCH BY ORAN SINGLETON FROM COLE SNYDER. EASTERN MICHIGAN 38, KENT STATE 21.

Three straight fumbles, three straight scores for Eastern Michigan. A deep turnover for Kent State gave EMU the ball at the 24-yard line, and the Eagles needed just three plays to get in the end zone. For Singleton, it was his second touchdown reception of the year. 

Fourth Quarter

4Q, 14:02; 13-YARD RUN BY DELBERT MIMMS. EASTERN MICHIGAN 45, KENT STATE 21.

A fourth-straight drive for EMU that began on Kent State’s side of the field went in Eastern’s favor. A Lockett reception coupled with a roughing the passer penalty against Kent State’s Nick Olds moved EMU from the 43 to the 13 yard line, and Mimms handled the rest. 

4Q, 9:11; 68-YARD CATCH BY CHRISHON MCCRAY FROM TOMMY ULATOWSKI. EASTERN MICHIGAN 45, KENT STATE 27.

Even in the face of a game that’s gone so far out of hand for his team, Ulatowski wasn’t afraid to let it rip with another big touchdown throw to his very-skilled receivers. Chrishon McCray beat Daiquan White on his route to be wide-open for the score

4Q, 6:53; 26-YARD RUN BY DEION BROWN. EASTERN MICHIGAN 52, KENT STATE 27.

Deion Brown’s the #4 running back for EMU, so it was only a matter of time before he got his turn in this game. Deion’s first collegiate score came from 26 yards out, and gave EMU its first 50-burger of the season. 

4Q, 4:06; 4-YARD RUN BY TOMMY ULATOWSKI. EASTERN MICHIGAN 52, KENT STATE 33.

Two scores in a row for Kent State on the ends of 73 and 75-yard scores. Ulatowski had passes of 22 and 39 yards to highlight the drive. Kent State missed on its 2-point play after the touchdown.

KEY PLAYS, MOMENTS, TURNOVERS

JESUS GOMEZ MISSES 57-YARD FIELD GOAL.

On EMU’s second drive of the game, Snyder was sacked for a 6-yard loss that he didn’t throw himself out of. Lockett had 30 receiving yards on the drive to help set up Gomez for his first kick of the game, but Gomez’s 57-yard attempt started left and stayed left of the goal post to let Kent State’s offense back on the field.

TURNOVER ON DOWNS FOR EMU OFFENSE IN SECOND QUARTER

Two straight runs with a fullback leading the way, only one yard gained. Driving from the 9-yard line, Snyder-to-Terry Lockett passes were a good way for EMU to pick up some yards at-will, then a Kent State defensive holding penalty helped EMU out by 10 yards on the end of a Snyder scramble. EMU had the ball in Kent State territory, but stuffed EMU twice in a row when it was faced with third and fourth downs. 

JOEY ZELINSKY CAUSES FUMBLE IN THIRD QUARTER

An Ulatowski almost-pass attempt went EMU’s way as defensive end Joey Zelinsky got a hand on the football before Ulatowski released his throw and caused a loose ball. EMU took over on Kent State’s 30-yard line.

ANOTHER ONE

Kye Thomas had the football ripped from his grasp on Kent State’s following possession. EMU has its third drive of the game started in Kent State territory, all of those off turnovers. 

TREY LAING EJECTED FOR TARGETING, BUT EMU GET A THIRD STRAIGHT TURNOVER ON THE NEXT PLAY

Bad news: Trey Laing was penalized for a head-to-head hit against Kent State on a short run play late in the third quarter.

Good news: A high snap over Ulatowski’s head turned into a loss of yards for Kent State and a recovery by Murphy, who caused an earlier turnover.

NEXT GAME

Eastern Michigan will have next week off, then will host Miami OH the following week. Today, Miami needed overtime to beat UMass, and heads to Toledo next week for a MAC championship game rematch.