Eastern Michigan University will kick off its 2026 football campaign on August 29, welcoming Sacramento State to Rynearson Stadium for the first Mid‑American Conference matchup of the season. The game is scheduled to start at 6:30 p.m. and will be broadcast to a national audience eager to see the Eagles open their schedule against a California opponent for the first time.
The contest is more than a routine season opener; it represents a milestone for the program. Eastern Michigan is one victory away from joining the exclusive club of FBS schools that have recorded 500 all‑time wins, a tally that currently stands at 499‑637‑47. A win would cement the Eagles’ place in college football history and add another chapter to a rivalry that has persisted for decades.
Honoring a Legacy
Senior receiver Nick Devereaux will wear the nickname “The Deuce” for the upcoming season, a tradition that pays tribute to the late Demarius Reed. The honor underscores the program’s practice of celebrating standout student‑athletes while adding a narrative layer to the team’s identity as the Eagles prepare for battle.
Sacramento State enters the Mid‑American Conference as the newest FBS member after a dominant run in the Big Sky Conference, where it captured seven titles in the past six seasons. In 2025 the Hornets averaged 33.8 points and 425.6 yards per game on offense while limiting opponents to 26.3 points and 366.9 yards per game defensively, establishing a high‑powered attack that will test the Eagles’ defense.
The matchup also carries a personal connection: defensive lineman Malik Tullis, who contributed to EMU’s front line during the 2023‑24 seasons, has transferred to Sacramento State and will now face his former teammates. His move adds an extra storyline to a game that already features a web of historical ties between the two institutions.
A Series of California Encounters
Beyond the August 29 opener, the Eagles have scheduled two additional games against California‑based opponents later in September, continuing a thematic thread that began with the first time a California school visited Ypsilanti. Eastern Michigan’s record in season‑opening games stands at 64‑62‑8, and the team has historically performed well in home openers, though the last such appearance ended in a 50‑31 loss to Buffalo in 2022.
The broader context of the schedule reflects the Mid‑American Conference’s expanding footprint, as the league seeks to strengthen its presence across the United States. For Eastern Michigan, the 2026 season offers a blend of tradition and new challenges, from honoring legacy figures to confronting a rising program eager to make its mark in FBS.