“We just have got to continue to build trust and confidence in each other, meaning quarterbacks and receivers," Fitzgerald said. "We’ll try to get the ball down the field for sure."

This Saturday will certainly be the last opportunity for the Spartans to work through some of the inconsistencies they encountered in their home opener. No. 3 Notre Dame awaits the Spartans in South Bend the following week. Building momentum against the Eagles is essential.

Defensive coordinator Joe Rossi said MSU needs to clean up the explosive plays. Playing aggressively without being reckless, he said, is paramount to the team's improvement. 

Rossi’s concerns will be put to the test Saturday afternoon against a dynamic Eagles offense that features a familiar face under center. Former Spartan quarterback Noah Kim will provide a challenge to the MSU defense, which will have to worry about his ability to scramble and extend plays.

Kim’s seven years of college football experience have given him plenty of familiarity with opposing coverages, but it’s his dual-threat skill set that MSU will have to account for. His mobility adds an element to EMU’s rushing game that features zone-read concepts. Kim forces defenders to respect his legs, leading to open rushing lanes for his running backs.

The Eagles enter with more than just a veteran quarterback. Head coach Chris Creighton is in his 13th season at EMU with a 62-84 record, and he's earned a 201-130 record at four schools over 29 seasons. Creighton has led the Eagles to six bowl game appearances in the last 10 seasons.

“I’ve got the utmost respect for Chris Creighton,” Fitzgerald said. “Thirty years, 200-plus wins. One of the best of the best in our profession. I’ve known Coach for a long time, and his teams have played so tough and so physical. He’s taken the Eastern Michigan program to places that it’s really never been, and he’ll deflect credit, but he has just been spectacular in his career.”

EMU’s offense features multiple playmakers, specifically sophomore running back Amareon Blue and graduate receiver Nick Devereaux. Blue has emerged in his first season starting for the Eagles, averaging 5.9 yards per carry. Last week, he broke off an explosive 50-yard rushing touchdown against San Jose State.

Devereaux is the Eagles’ top receiving target and found the end zone seven times in 2025. He has 9 catches for 97 yards and a touchdown through two games this season.

The Eagles will try to pressure the Spartans' defensive front as they look to emphasize a relentless rushing attack despite picking up 3.2 yards per rush. The team managed to gain 176 yards in its first two games, proving its desire to keep the ball between the tackles. Kim has become a dangerous passer since departing from East Lansing, leading the Mid-American Conference in passing yards in 2025 and, so far, in 2026.

MSU's keys against Eastern Michigan will be to establish early pressure, stop the run on first down and limit Kim's time to throw in the pocket.

On the other side of the ball, EMU's graduate linebacker Zach Mowchan will play a major role in determining the outcome of MSU’s run game. He was named MAC Defensive Player of the Week for his 14 tackles against Sacramento State.

Nonetheless, the Spartans will inevitably lean on the run game again on Saturday. MSU cannot let Mowchan consistently play downhill. MSU carried the ball 49 times in week one, and the team is expected to control the clock and assert the run game once again. Through the air, sophomore quarterback Alessio Milivojevic will seemingly take more chances and look to deliver the ball downfield. He was fairly conservative against Toledo, but needs to be more aggressive heading into conference play.

“So there’s a lot to learn from, there’s a lot to build on and there’s a lot of work to do,” Fitzgerald said.

MSU and EMU will kick off at 3:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, Sept. 12, at Spartan Stadium. The game will be broadcast on Big Ten Network.