Eastern Michigan shuts down Lindenwood 29-3 at Rynearson Stadium

Eastern Michigan beat Lindenwood 29-3 at Rynearson Stadium in Ypsilanti, finishing the nonconference slate with a controlled home win. The Eagles scored the first 19 points and never allowed a touchdown.

Amareon Blue opened the scoring with a 2-yard run at 9:58 of the first quarter, although the extra point was blocked. Noah Kim then found Benson Prosper for a 24-yard touchdown, and Robert Kessinger added field goals from 51 and 42 yards before halftime. Eastern Michigan took a 19-0 lead into the break.

Lindenwood's only points came on William Graham's 44-yard field goal with 6:37 left in the third quarter. Kessinger answered with a 28-yarder less than five minutes later, and Kim closed the scoring by throwing a 19-yard touchdown to H. Mack with 5:19 remaining in the fourth. Eastern Michigan's defense kept the Lions out of the end zone for the final 44 minutes.

Kim completed 23 of 38 passes for 257 yards and two touchdowns. Prosper caught 10 passes for 109 yards and one score, while Blue carried 14 times for 58 yards and a touchdown. Kessinger made three field goals, including two from at least 42 yards, and supplied 11 Eastern Michigan points through those kicks and two extra points when the Eagles needed to turn drives into a lead.

The team totals show a clear separation. Eastern Michigan produced 396 yards, 25 first downs and 8-for-14 on third down, with 257 passing yards and 139 rushing yards. Lindenwood managed 191 yards, 11 first downs and 2-for-13 on third down. The Lions rushed for 136 yards but passed for only 55, and neither team committed a turnover. Eastern Michigan held the ball for 31:28, compared with Lindenwood's 28:12.

Eastern Michigan also controlled the scoring sequence after its blocked opening extra point. Kessinger converted field-goal attempts from 51, 42 and 28 yards, and the Eagles used the field-position margin to avoid needing a high-volume passing finish. Lindenwood never reached the end zone despite holding the ball for more than 28 minutes.

The result moved Eastern Michigan to 2-3 and 1-0 at home in the event record, while Lindenwood fell to 1-3 and 0-3 on the road. The Eagles finished with 25 first downs and no turnovers, while Lindenwood managed only 11 first downs. The official schedule identifies Rynearson Stadium as the site and the first meeting between the programs. The Eagles' combination of three touchdowns, three field goals and a scoreless defensive finish settled the game before Lindenwood could create a fourth-quarter rally.