EMU, Michigan to Faceoff in Ann Arbor

© Alex Gould/USA TODAY NETWORK

Eastern Michigan University and the University of Michigan have agreed to play two non-conference games in 2027 and 2030, the schools announced Wednesday. Both games are scheduled to take place at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, a mere 5.8-miles from Ypsilanti.

Last meeting Between EMU, Michigan

When EMU and Michigan finally take the field in 2027 it will be exactly 16 years and one day since the two teams last met. The Wolverines won the last meeting with the Eagles, 31-3, in 2011. EMU kept the game close early on, but would go scoreless in the third and fourth quarters. The Wolverines on the other hand would put up 17 points in the second half on their way to a comfortable win.   

In the 2017 game EMU would play two quarterbacks as Alex Gillett and Tyler Benz combined to complete just 3 passes for 29 yards and 1 interception. Michigan QB Denard Robinson also didn’t have a great game in the air going 7-of-18 for 95 yards and an interception but did have 2 touchdowns. Robinson had a great day running the ball as well with 202 yards on the ground and 1 touchdown.   

Eagles Looking for First Win in Series

The 2027 matchup will mark the 11th time these two teams have faced each other. EMU has never won with the Wolverines holding a perfect 10-0 recorded. The first time these two teams faced each other was in 1896 with Michigan winning the game  18-0. The closest EMU came to beating the Wolverines was in 1930 when they lost 7-0. The most lopsided victory in the series came in 2005 as Michigan shut out EMU 55-0.

EMU now only needs to add one more team to fill their 2027 non-conference schedule. Along with Michigan, EMU will face San Diego State and Georgia Southern. Michigan’s non-conference schedule is now set for 2027 with Buffalo, Texas and EMU. In 2030 both EMU and Michigan only have each other scheduled to play so far.