| Year: | 2023 |
| Team: | Eastern Michigan Eagles |
| Sport: | football |
| Conference: | Mid-American Conference |
| Division: | West Division |
| Short Conf: | MAC |
| Record: | 6–7 |
| Conf Record: | 4–4 |
| Head Coach: | Chris Creighton |
| Hc Year: | 10th |
| Off Coach: | Mike Piatkowski |
| Oc Year: | 1st |
| Def Coach: | Ben Needham |
| Dc Year: | 1st |
| Stadium: | Rynearson Stadium |
| Bowl: | 68 Ventures Bowl |
| Bowl Result: | L 10–59 vs. South Alabama |
The 2023 Eastern Michigan Eagles football team represented Eastern Michigan University during the 2023 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Eagles were led by tenth-year head coach Chris Creighton and played their home games at Rynearson Stadium in Ypsilanti, Michigan. They competed as members of the West Division of the Mid-American Conference (MAC).[1] [2] They finished the regular season 6–6 and 4–4 in conference play.[3] They would end the season losing 10–59 to South Alabama in the 68 Ventures Bowl.[4]
On July 20, the MAC announced the preseason coaches poll. Eastern Michigan was picked to finish second in the West.[5]
| East | |||
| 1 | Ohio | 63 (9) | |
| 2 | Miami | 52 (2) | |
| 3 | Buffalo | 51 (1) | |
| 4 | Bowling Green | 35 | |
| 5 | Akron | 26 | |
| 6 | Kent State | 19 | |
| West | |||
| 1 | Toledo | 66 (11) | |
| 2 | Eastern Michigan | 55 (1) | |
| 3 | Northern Illinois | 38 | |
| 4 | Central Michigan | 37 | |
| 5 | Ball State | 27 | |
| 6 | Western Michigan | 23 | |
| Coaches poll (MAC Championship) | |||
| 1 | Toledo | 7 | |
| 2 | Ohio | 4 | |
| 3 | Buffalo | 1 | |
See also: 2023 South Alabama Jaguars football team and 2023 68 Ventures Bowl.
Following the game, an altercation took place on-field between the teams prior to the trophy presentation, initiated by an Eastern Michigan player sucker punching a South Alabama player while the South Alabama marching band and team were singing the school's alma mater.[9] [10] Eastern Michigan's athletic director apologized the next day, stating (in part) "We strongly condemn the actions of some of the student-athletes".[11]
| Statistics | USA | EMU |
|---|---|---|
| First downs | 29 | 10 |
| Total yards | 627 | 150 |
| Rushing yards | 320 | 77 |
| Passing yards | 307 | 73 |
| Passing: comp–att–int | 23–36–1 | 12–30–2 |
| Time of possession | 30:53 | 29:07 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
|---|---|---|---|
| South Alabama | Passing | 14/19, 192 yards, 3 TD | |
| Rushing | Gio Lopez | 7 carries, 88 yards, TD | |
| Receiving | Jamaal Pritchett | 8 receptions, 127 yards, 2 TD | |
| Eastern Michigan | Passing | Cam'Ron McCoy | 12/27, 73 yards, 2 INT |
| Rushing | Cam'Ron McCoy | 13 carries, 73 yards, TD | |
| Receiving | Terry Lockett Jr. | 2 receptions, 29 yards |