KIM KILLS THE MINUTEMEN: EASTERN MICHIGAN AT UMASS GAME RECAP

On Saturday, the Eastern Michigan Eagles came into Amherst looking to give the UMass Minutemen their first loss of the year. The minutemen came into this matchup undefeated as one of college football's best stories. However they left the matchup with the groups first loss and legitimate questions about the identity of the team. Eastern Michigan was successful on their hunt for the upset in a convincing 38-14 victory on the road.

Michigan State transfer Noah Kim has emerged as the starter for the Eagles in 2026. After struggling mightily his last three seasons in East Lansing however, Kim has found a home. Kim currently ranks #35 in the country for passing yards with approximately 1200, and has been extremely efficicent averaging less than an interception a game. Kim's solid performance continued in week five against the Minutmen.

Against UMass in week five, Kim threw for 219 yards and two touchdowns as Eastern Michigan beat Massachusetts 38-14 on Saturday to improve to 2-0 in Mid-American Conference play for the first time since 2005. The Eagles (3-3, 2-0 MAC) spoiled Massachusetts’ first sellout at McGuirk Alumni Stadium since 2014 and handed the Minutemen their first loss of the season.

After the game, Kim was focused on what's next, stating postgame that "I mean, we beat a good football team today, but we have to show this is the MAC. We got to show up every single week and play good football". This mentality is why Kim won the Eagles starting role as a transfer over the offseason.

It was all Eagles all day, and the scoring started early.

Kim opened the scoring with a 27-yard touchdown pass to Kozy Isaac before junior RB Braydon Bennett’s 2-yard touchdown run gave Eastern Michigan a 14-0 lead late in the second quarter. This was a lead the Eagles would not squander.

Kim completed 21 of 30 passes without an interception. Eastern Michigan rushed for 192 yards and three touchdowns. RB Joey Mattord also added a 25-yard touchdown run early in the fourth quarter as a dagger for the Minutemen.

On the defensive side of the ball, CB Davion Williams led the team in tackles with 10 total and 3 of those being solo. Williams tackled an elite level for Eastern Michigan's secondary.

Additionally for the Eagles, DT Joseph Oluwayemi and DE Ronn Hardin each tallied a TFL on the night.  EMU also led both teams with an interception from Caleb Dobbs who returned it for 31 yards.

Massachusetts QB William Watson went 20/27, 210 yards in the air, paired with a touchdown and an interception.  

Massachusetts (4-1, 1-1) pulled within seven on Watson III’s 34-yard touchdown pass to Max Dowling with 28 seconds left in the first half, but saw their offensice production stall throughout the second half. The Minutemen gained 106 yards on 25 touches with only one touchdown on the night, a terrible offensive performance.

Rushing the ball for the Minutemen, on 14 carries Curtis Kimmons IV had 73 yards and 1 touchdown. Jabari Lewis caught six passes for 102 yards. 

Leading the Minutemen on defense, safety Kendall Bournes racked up 8 total tackles, 4 of them being solo, and a half a TFL. The Minutemen as a whole racked a total of 67 tackles and 4 TFLs.

Next week, Eastern Michigan travels to Ohio to play Akron. Additionally, UMass stays home to host the Redhawks of Miami OH in Amherst.