SAN MARCOS, Texas — For the second time in 2021, the Texas State football program will take to the sky as the Bobcats travel to Michigan to play Eastern Michigan on Saturday, Sept. 25 at 1 p.m. CT / 2 p.m. ET. 

Anthony Edward Lima (play by play) and Marcus Ray (analyst) will call the game's action on ESPN+, while Clint Shields and Geff Gandy will bring the matchup's action to the airwaves on KTSW (89.9 FM in San Marcos) and The Varsity Network App. 

LOOKING AT THE BOBCATS

A week after falling in a one-possession game against the University of the Incarnate Word (UIW) in San Marcos, Texas State will look for its second non-conference road win on the season with its trip to Michigan. Earlier this season, the Bobcats knocked off the Florida International Panthers, 23-17, in overtime on Saturday, Sept. 11. The win over the Panthers, which was highlighted by a two rushing touchdown performance from sophomore running back Brock Sturges in his season debut, was the first non-conference road win for Texas State under head coach Jake Spavital. 

Heading into Saturday's matchup against the Eagles, Texas State is second ranked nationally in fumbles recovered with five. The Bobcats are tied with nine additional football programs — five of which from the Group of 5 ranks — for the spot. Only the Mountain West's Boise State has recovered more fumbles than the Bobcats as the Broncos have fallen on seven loose footballs in three games this season. 

Senior defensive lineman Caeveon Patton leads Texas State with two fumble recovers, while Michael LoVett III, Nick McCann and Chris Mills all have been credited with one fumble recovery this season. 

Texas State sophomore kickers Seth Keller has been one of the most consistent field goal kickers in the nation. Entering this weekend's slate of Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) football games, Keller has made his last 11 consecutive field goal attempts, which is tied for the sixth-longest streak in the country. Keller's last missed field goal attempt — his lone miss of his collegiate career — came on a 37-yard attempt with 35 seconds remaining in the second quarter at Troy on Oct. 10, 2020. The Bobcats' contest against the Trojans last season was played in hurricane-like weather conditions. 

Wake Forest's Nick Scriba has the longest active consecutive made field goal streak with 16, followed by BYU's Jake Oldroyd at 15. Toledo's Thomas Cluckey is third with 13, before Auburn's Anders Carlson and LSU's Cade York are tied at fourth with 12 straight made kicks. 

SCOUTING THE EAGLES
 
Eastern Michigan enters Saturday's contest with a 2-1 overall record in 2021 after knocking off Saint Francis (Pa.) (35-15) and Massachusetts (42-28). The Eagles' lone loss came on a visit to then-No. 17/18 Wisconsin on Saturday, Sept. 11. Saturday's game against Texas State will mark the final non-conference game of the season for the Eagles as EMU opens Mid-American Conference (MAC) play at Northern Illinois on Saturday, Oct. 2. Since the start of the 2014 campaign, Eastern Michigan is 2-4 in its final non-conference game of the season. 
 
Eastern Michigan's 2-1 start to the 2021 season marks the fifth time in eight seasons, including five of the last six season, under head coach Chris Creighton that EMU has started with two-or-more wins in its first three games of a season. 
 
While Eastern Michigan has never played Texas State, the Eagles hold a 5-7-1 all-time record against teams from the Sun Belt. EMU's last win over a member of the Sun Belt came to open the 2019 season when the Eagles knocked off Coastal Carolina, 30-23, in Conway, S.C., on Aug. 31, 2019. Eastern Michigan also holds wins over Arkansas State, Louisiana and two over ULM. 
 
SERIES HISTORY
 
Saturday's football game between Texas State and Eastern Michigan will mark the first time the two programs have ever met on the gridiron. 
 
The Eagles are expected to make the return trip to San Marcos on Aug. 30, 2025. 
 
FOLLOW US
 
For all the latest information on Texas State football, be sure to follow the team at @TXSTATEFOOTBALL on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. General athletic news can also be found at @TxStateBobcats on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.