Eastern Michigan will make history this weekend by playing its first regular-season football game in Texas, traveling to San Marcos to take on the Texas State Bobcats on Saturday night. Kickoff is set for 8 p.m. EST (7 p.m. local CST) with the ESPN+ broadcast.
The Eagles arrive in the 2025 season in their 50th year of MAC play, hoping to put last year’s disappointing finish behind them as head coach Chris Creighton reshapes the roster. A new quarterback, fresh faces throughout the lineup, and a wave of transfers headline a program-wide makeover Creighton says has yielded productive offseason work.
“We’ve been finding our identity, creating our identity, coming together as a team, and it’s been really good,” Creighton said. While he declined to publicly name the opening starter ahead of kickoff, all indicators point to Michigan State transfer Noah Kim taking the first snap against Texas State. Kim has already been named one of the team captains for 2025 and switched his number from 13 to 1, underscoring the leadership role he’s assumed since arriving on campus in January.
Matchup notes
Texas State, coming off an 8-5 season capped by a First Responders Bowl victory, is a stern opener for EMU. Sportsbooks have the Bobcats as a 13.5-point favorite, driven by their potent offense which averaged 36.5 points per game last season, ranking among the nation’s best.
Texas State will roll out a new starting quarterback on Saturday in redshirt freshman Brad Jackson. Hailing from San Antonio, Jackson is expected to guide a dual-threat attack that could test EMU’s defense early and often. In the backfield, Lincoln Pare—who earned Doak Walker Award Watch List recognition—led the Bobcats with eight rushing touchdowns last year and will be a constant threat alongside Jackson.
On the other side of the ball, redshirt senior Kalil Alexander is expected to be a disruptive force off the edge, having led the team in sacks last season and entering the year on several preseason all-conference lists. In the secondary, redshirt senior Trez Moore is anticipated to draw the assignment on EMU’s new ‘Deuce,’ Terry Lockett Jr., making the matchup a key storyline of the night. Moore earned recognition on preseason defense lists and anchors a veteran Bobcat defense alongside other experience players.
Television and coverage
Fans can watch the EMU-Texas State clash on ESPN+, with kickoff aligned to the local Texas time of 7 p.m. CST (8 p.m. EST).
What it means for EMU
This game serves as a barometer for EMU’s offseason changes. The combination of a new quarterback, a retooled receiving corps, and a defense anchored by veteran leadership will be tested against a high-scoring Texas State squad. For Creighton, the contest offers a chance to validate the optimism around the offseason program and set a positive tone as EMU moves deeper into MAC play.
Summary and outlook
– EMU faces a Texas State program on the rise, led by an aggressive offense and a defense with experienced playmakers.
– Noah Kim is the likely starter and a team captain, signaling leadership and stability at quarterback.
– Texas State’s new QB Brad Jackson will test EMU’s defensive schemes, while Kalil Alexander and Trez Moore provide top-level talent on their respective sides.
– The game doubles as a meaningful early-season gauge for EMU’s roster turnover and Creighton’s approach to building a competitive MAC team in 2025.
Additional notes
– If you’re following EMU’s season arc, this trip to Texas is a meaningful test outside the usual regional schedule and can help set the tone for the Eagles’ MAC run.
– Look for early signs of cohesion from EMU’s offense as they integrate new players and system tweaks implemented over the offseason. A strong performance could energize the program and its fan base heading into a pivotal season.