EASTERN ILLINOIS PANTHER FOOTBALL
Contact: Rich Moser • rlmoser@eiu.edu • (217) 581-7480 • Fax (217) 581-6434 • www.EIUpanthers.com
Eastern Illinois Travels To Indiana State For Final Game In Long Standing Series
Game 2
Eastern Illinois (1-0, 0-0 OVC) vs. Indiana State (0-2, 0-0 MVFC) Memorial Stadium (12,400) • Terre Haute, Ind. September 12, 2009 • 11 a.m. (Central) • TV: None
Quick Facts COACHES:
Bob Spoo (Purdue, 1960) EIU Record.......... 133-109-1 (22nd year) OVC Record.................59-29 (13th year) vs. Indiana State............................... 14-5
Trent Miles (Indiana State, 1987) INST Record...................0-14 (2nd year) Overall Record................................Same MVFC Record...................0-8 (2nd year) vs. EIU................................................ 0-1
SERIES
83rd meeting (EIU leads 41-37-4) last MEETING EIU 38-3 on Sept. 13, 2008 at EIU’s O’Brien Field
RANKINGS
Eastern Illinois............................. RV/RV Indiana State.............................................
.............................. Sports Network/FCS Coaches
RADIO
Panther Radio Network Hit Mix 88.9 FM - flagship station WHOW 1510 AM & WMKR 94.3 FM www.weiuhitmix.net Play-by-Play......................... Mike Bradd Analyst.............................. Jack Ashmore
TELEVISION
No Live Television
INTERNET Live Stats..............www.eiupanthers.com Video Stream......... www.OVCSports.TV
The Game Eastern Illinois travels to Indiana State for the final meeting in this long series between
the Panthers and Sycamores. Indiana State has decided not to renew the long standing series which been played between the two schools since 1902. EIU enters the game having won its Prairie State Rivalry game against Illinois State, 31-6, on Thursday night to open the season. In that game EIU transfer quarterback Jake Christensen threw for 167 yards and three touchdowns while the Panther defense stuffed the Redbirds to only 20 yards on the ground. ISU enters the game with two straights losses to open the season. They fell to NAIA member Quincy in overtime on Aug. 27 and lost 30-10 at Louisville on Saturday.
THE SERIES This is the 83rd meeting between Eastern Illinois and Indiana State as the schools are
separated by 50 miles and first played in 1902. Following this season the two schools will end their long standing rivalry as Indiana State has decided not to continue the series in FCS Current Losing Streaks 2010. The Panthers lead the series 41-37-4 having won of consecutive four straight and 11 of the last 13 dating back to 1994. School..................................# games lost Last season EIU picked up a 38-3 victory at O’Brien Indiana State................................................28 Field after a 54-20 lopsided win in Terre Haute in 2007. Dartmouth...................................................12 St. Francis (Pa.)...........................................12 Next year’s series hiatus will not be the first in the long Northeastern..................................................8 rivalry. The schools did not play from 1908-1922 and Tennessee Tech.............................................7 Colorado........................................7 again from 1975-1979. ISU enters with the nation’s Northern Howard..........................................................7 longest active losing streak at 28 games.
Eastern Illinois (1-0, 0-0 OVC) Date Sept. 3 Sept. 12 Sept. 19 Sept. 26 Oct. 3 Oct. 10 Oct. 17 Oct. 24 Oct. 31 Nov. 14 Nov. 19
Indiana State (0-2, 0-0 MVFC)
Opponent Score/Time ILLINOIS STATE W 31-6 at Indiana State 11 am * at Southeast Missouri 6 pm * at Austin Peay 6 pm * EASTERN KENTUCKY 1:30 pm at Penn State TBA * TENNESSEE TECH (HC) 1:30 pm * at Jacksonville State 1 pm * at Murray State 1 pm * UT MARTIN 1:30 pm * TENNESSEE STATE 5:30 pm
Date Aug. 27 Sept. 5 Sept. 12 Sept. 19 Sept. 26 Oct. 3 Oct. 17 Oct. 24 Oct. 31 Nov. 7 Nov. 14
Opponent Score/Time QUINCY L 20-26 (ot) at Louisville L 10-30 EASTERN ILLINOIS 11 am * at South Dakota State 7 pm * YOUNGSTOWN STATE 11 am * at Northern Iowa 5 pm * at Illinois State 3 pm * WESTERN ILLINOIS 3 pm * SOUTHERN ILLINOIS 11 am * at Missouri State 2 pm * NORTH DAKOTA STATE 11 am
* Ohio Valley Conference Game All Times Central
* Missouri Valley Football Conference Game All Times Central
Believe In Blue • 12 NCAA FCS Playoff Appearances • OVC Champs 2006, 2005, 2002, 2001
September 12, 2009 • Eastern Illinois at Indiana State • Page 2 • www.EIUpanthers.com 2009 SPORTS NETWORK TOP 25 (Week 1) Rk. Team 2009 Record 1. Richmond (103) 1-0 2. Appalachian State (10) 0-1 3. Villanova (3) 1-0 4. Northern Iowa (3) 0-1 5. Montana 1-0 6. James Madison 0-0 7. William & Mary 1-0 8. Southern Illinois 0-1 9. New Hampshire 1-0 10. Elon 1-0 11. Weber State 0-1 12. Cal Poly 0-0 13. Central Arkansas 0-1 14. Wofford 0-1 15. South Carolina State (1) 1-0 16. McNeese State 1-0 17. Massachusetts 0-1 18. Eastern Washington 1-0 19. Texas State 1-0 20. Maine 1-0 21. South Dakota State 0-0 22. Eastern Kentucky 0-1 23. Jacksonville State 0-1 24. Harvard 0-0 25. Holy Cross 1-0
Also receiving votes: Eastern Illinois
2009 FCS Coaches Poll (Week 1) Rk. Team 1. Richmond (24) 2. Appalachian State (3) 3. Villanova 4. Montana 5. Northern Iowa 6. James Madison 7. William & Mary (1) 8. Southern Illinois 9. New Hampshire 10. Weber State 11. Elon 12. Central Arkansas 13. Cal Poly 14. Wofford 15. South Carolina State 16. McNeese State 17. Eastern Washington 18. Massachusetts 19. Texas State 20. Maine 21. Jacksonville State 22. Harvard 23. Eastern Kentucky 24. Liberty 25. South Dakota State
2009 Record 1-0 0-1 1-0 1-0 0-1 0-0 1-0 0-1 1-0 0-1 1-0 0-1 0-0 0-1 1-0 1-0 1-0 0-1 1-0 1-0 0-1 0-0 0-1 0-1 0-0
Also receiving votes: Eastern Illinois
EASTERN ILLINOIS HEAD COACH BOB SPOO The dean of Ohio Valley Conference Coaches,
Longest Tenured Division I Head Coaches Eastern Illinois head coach Bob Spoo returns to (at same school) the sidelines for his 22nd season on the sidelines and 23rd season overall. Spoo missed the 2006 1 ...Joe Paterno (Penn State).........................since 1966 2....Bob Ford (Albany)..................................since 1973 season with a medical illness. His career record 3....Bobby Bowden (Florida State)...............since 1976 is 133-109-1 at EIU including a 59-29 mark in 4....Andy Talley (Villanova).........................since 1985 5....Frank Beamer (Virginia Tech)................since 1987 OVC action. Since taking over the program in ....Bob Spoo (Eastern Illinois)................. since 1987 1987, Spoo has become one of the most respected coaches in the game with numerous assistants moving on to succeed at all levels of the coaching business. He was the 1995 Football Gazette I-AA Coach of the Year and runnerup for the Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year Award in 2000. A 1960 graduate of Purdue University, Spoo has coached the Panthers to 8 NCAA FCS playoff berths and ten Top 25 national rankings. This season EIU will play at Penn State matching two of the longest tenured head coaches head-to-head on Oct. 10.
INDIANA STATE HEAD COACH trent miles Trent Miles was hired in December of 2007 to help rebuild the Indiana State football
program that he played for during the mid-1980’s. Miles is a 1987 graduate and played for the Sycamores from 1982-86 and was a member of the ISU NCAA playoff teams in 1983 and 1984. This is his first head coaching job after working as the running backs coach at the University of Washington for three seasons. Miles was unable to guide the Sycamores to a win in 2008 and has a career record of 0-14.
SCOUTING INDIANA STATE Indiana State enters the game hungry for its first win as the program has not tasted success
since Oct. 21, 2006 when the Sycamores beat Missouri State, 28-22, in a homecoming contest at Memorial Stadium. The team is off to an 0-2 start this year falling to NAIA member Quincy in overtime to open the season and then at FBS member Louisville last weekend. Indiana State’s top rusher is Darrius Gates averaging 55 yards per game while quarterback Chris Stutzriem has passed for 118 yards. Santino Davis has been a standout on defense with ten tackles and a pair of interceptions.
ON THIS DATE IN EIU HISTORY
September 12, 1987 – Current head coach Bob Spoo won his first game as the Panthers head coach with a 16-10 win over Northeast Missouri (now Truman State University). Daryl Holcombe returned a kick off 85 yards for a score and picked off a pass to earn Gateway Conference Defensive Player of the Week honors.
pASSING DEBUTS Eastern Illinois quarterback Jake Christensen had a solid debut as the Panthers starting
quarterback as he passed for 167 yards and three touchdowns during the 31-6 victory over Illinois State. Christensen was 14-of-22 through the air with two of his incomplete passes coming as he spiked the ball on a two minute drill in the second quarter. In that drive he engineered a Panthers scoring drive of 67 yards on nine plays in 1:12. He hit Jimmy Potempa to end the drive with a ten yard touchdown strike. He was named the OVC Offensive Player of the Week for his efforts. He became the fifth straight EIU quarterback to win their first start.
Quarterback...............Debut (opponent)......................Stats (Att-Comp-Int-Yds-TD)......... Result Jake Christensen...........9-3-09 vs. Illinois State.............................23-14-1-167-3...................... W 31-6 Bodie Reeder................9-22-07 at Indiana State............................26-23-0-298-0.................... W 54-20 Cole Stinson.................10-7-06 vs. Southeast Missouri................22-16-0-208-3...................... W 21-0 Mike Donato................9-1-05 at Indiana State..............................20-12-0-158-2.................... W 24-13 Matt Schabert...............9-25-04 at Eastern Michigan....................22-13-1-199-2.................... W 31-28 Andrew Harris..............10-4-03 at Southeast Missouri..................30-22-1-184-0..................... L 17-30 Andy Vincent...............8-30-03 vs. California (Pa.)......................21-15-1-160-1...................... W 27-0 Tony Romo...................10-2-99 at Central Florida........................28-12-0-186-1..................... L 21-31 Jeff Christensen............9-13-80 at Southern Illinois......................33-14-2-247-3..................... L 35-37
Believe In Blue • 12 NCAA FCS Playoff Appearances • OVC Champs 2006, 2005, 2002, 2001
September 12, 2009 • Eastern Illinois at Indiana State • Page 3 • www.EIUpanthers.com
DEFENSE SLAMS THE DOOR
Eastern Illinois defense stuffed out the Illinois State running attack on Thursday evening as the Panthers limited the Redbirds to just 20 net yards on the ground. The leading rusher for Illinois State was Geno Blow who accounted for just 37 yards on 13 carries for an average of 2.8 yards per carry. The total was padded a little by a miscue on a field goal attempt resulting in a 24-yard rushing loss. With that total included EIU allowed just 0.8 yards per rush for Illinois State. Without the miscue EIU still allowed just 1.7 yards per carry for Illinois State. The last time EIU held an opponent to less than 50 yards rushing was a 49 yard day by Tennessee State on Nov. 4, 2006.
ALREADY A QUARTER OF THE SACKS Last season Eastern Illinois accounted for only 17 sacks on the
season despite ranking high nationally in tackles for loss. In the season opener against Illinois State, EIU posted nearly a quarter of last season’s total as they ended the evening with four sacks. EIU had four different players register a sack for a total of 26 yards. The four players posting a sack in game one included senior Andre Lima, junior C.J. James, sophomore Perry Burge and true freshman Artavious Dowdell.
GRAVES, CAMPBELL RETURN
Starting wide receiver Charles Graves and reserve linebacker Sean Campbell will both be back on the active roster for this weekend’s game at Indiana State. Both players served a one game suspension for violation of team rules serving that penalty in the opener against Illinois State. Graves was the Panthers top receiver in 2008 with 40 catches while Campbell was a reserve linebacker with one start.
ONE, TWO FLORIDA PUNCH With three NCAA Championship rings between them, Eastern
Illinois backfield had a little championship flair on Thursday night as Florida transfer running backs Mon Williams and Chevon Walker both saw extensive action. Williams led EIU with 87 yards on 16 carries for an average of 5.4 yards per carry. He scored EIU’s first touchdown of the game early in the second quarter. Walker added 68 yards on 10 carries for a 6.8 yard average. Williams transferred in January after seeing limited action for the 2008 Florida Gators Championship team. Walker transferred in January of 2008 and played for EIU last year finishing with 365 yards rushing. Both were on the Florida 2006 NCAA Championship team.
NEW HANDS AND NEW FACES Eastern Illinois spread the ball around on Thursday night against
Illinois State as a nine receivers had at least one catch. The leading receiver was transfer Jimmy Potempa with three catches for 22 yards and a touchdown. In the game six of the nine receivers were playing their first game for Eastern Illinois while seven of the nine made their first EIU collegiate catch. The only two veterans making catches on Thursday were Lorence Ricks with one catch for 25 yards and a touchdown and Chevon Walker with one catch for four yards. Junior tight end Danny Vehovic made his first catch of his Panther career with a nine yard grab. Redshirt freshman Chavar Watkins, freshman Erik Lora and freshman Chris Wright all collected two catches. Watkins accounted for a team high 39 yards receiving. The last two players to make catchers were freshman Kenny Whittaker and junior Mon Williams.
TALE OF THE TAPE
Points Per Game.............................. 24.0.........................15.0 Average Points Allowed................... 6.0..........................28.0 First Downs.......................................24........................... 20 Rushing Yards Per Game............... 217.0........................70.5 Rushing Touchdowns.........................1............................. 1 Passing Yards Per Game................ 167.0.......................108.5 Passing Touchdowns..........................3............................. 2 Average Yards Per Game............... 384.0.......................179.0 Interceptions Thrown.........................1............................. 4 Fumbles - Lost.................................1-1.......................... 3-3 Turnovers Gained...............................1............................. 3 Punting Average.............................. 51.0.........................38.2 Field Goals (ATT/MADE)............1-for-1.................... 3-for-5 3rd Down Conversions.............. 5-9 (55%)............. 11-31 (35%) 4th Down Conversions.....................0-0.......................... 0-1 Sacks (Yards).................................4 (26)....................... 1 (6) Penalties (Yards)............................4 (40).................... 18 (158) Time of Possession (Game)........... 30:39.......................30:28
Statistical Leaders RUSHING YARDS EASTERN ILLINOIS INDIANA STATE Mon Williams.......................87 Chevon Walker.....................68
Darrius Gates......................110 Antoine Brown......................59
PASSING YARDS EASTERN ILLINOIS INDIANA STATE Jake Christensen.................167 Chris Stutzriem...................118 Darrius Gates........................75
EASTERN ILLINOIS
RECEPTIONS INDIANA STATE
Jimmy Potempa......................3 Chavar Watkins......................2
EASTERN ILLINOIS
Ryan Roberts...........................5 Larry Lacotti...........................3
TACKLES INDIANA STATE
Nick Nasti..............................9 Cory Leman...........................8
Aaron Archie.........................21 Donye McClesky..................19
INTERCEPTIONS EASTERN ILLINOIS INDIANA STATE None.........................................
Santino Davis..........................2
Believe In Blue • 12 NCAA FCS Playoff Appearances • OVC Champs 2006, 2005, 2002, 2001
September 12, 2009 • Eastern Illinois at Indiana State • Page 4 • www.EIUpanthers.com
2009 OVC Standings Team......................... OVC....... Pct............All....... Pct. Austin Peay...................0-0........000...........1-0..... 1.000 Eastern Illinois............0-0........000...........1-0..... 1.000 Eastern Kentucky..........0-0........000...........0-1..... 1.000 Murray State..................0-0........000...........1-0....... .000 Southeast Missouri........0-0........000...........1-0..... 1.000 Tennessee State.............0-0........000...........0-1....... .000 Tennessee Tech.............0-0........000...........0-0....... .000 UT Martin.....................0-0........000...........1-0..... 1.000 Jacksonville State........................................0-1....... .000
This Week In The OVC Thursday - September 10 Pikeville College @ Tennessee Tech -- 7 p.m. Saturday - September 12 Eastern Illinois @ Indiana State -- 11 a.m. UT Martin @ Missouri State -- 3 p.m. Austin Peay @ Youngstown State -- 5 p.m. Jacksonville State @ Florida State -- 5 p.m. Murray State @ North Carolina State -- 5 p.m. Tennessee State vs. Jackson State -- 6 p.m. Southeast Missouri @ Cincinnati -- 6:30 p.m. Eastern Kentucky - Open Week
LAST WEEK’S OVC RESULTS Eastern Illinois 31, Illinois State 6 Indiana 19, Eastern Kentucky 13 Austin Peay 34, Newberry 23 Georgia Tech 37, Jacksonville State 17 Alabama A&M 24, Tennessee State 7 Murray State 66, Kentucky Wesleyan 10 Southeast Missouri 72, Quincy 3 UT Martin 56, Iowa Wesleyan 0
OVC Predicted Order Of Finish 1. Eatern Kentucky (10) 2. UT Martin (4) 3. EASTERN ILLINOIS (2) 4. Tennessee State (1) 5. Murray State (1) 6. Tennessee Tech 7. Austin Peay 8. Southeast Missouri * Jacksonville State (first place votes in parenthesis) JSU is not eligible for the OVC Championship or the NCAA FCS playoffs due to an NCAA APR penalty. They can receive votes for both national polls.
Eastern Illinois Players On All-OVC Preseason Team Offense Chaz Millard - Offensive Guard
PACKING THEM IN • Eastern Illinois played in front of its largest crowd in recent years as the Panthers drew 10,013 for the season opener against Illinois State. It was the first crowd announced over 10,000 since Oct. 2, 2004 when EIU drew 10,124 for the win over Southeast Missouri. picking up from last year • Senior kicker Austin Signor opened the season just as he closed out last year sailing three kick offs for touchbacks against Illinois State. Last season Signor ranked third in the NCAA with kick offs for touchback. After week one he is tied for the national lead with three touchbacks along with Southeast Missouri kicker Doug Spada. In addition to his kick off duties Signor has also added place kicker to his jobs hitting all four extra points and his long field goal attempt on Thursday. SCORING DEFENSE • Eastern Illinois enters this week ranked sixth nationally in scoring defense as the Panthers allowed just six points to Illinois State last week. The game marked the 8th time since the 2005 season that the Panthers have held an opponent to a touchdown or less in a game. GETTING OFF TO A GOOD START • Eastern Illinois recent history has shown that a win in the opener can lead to good things happening during the season. Since 1995, EIU has won its opening game eight previous times posting winning seasons in seven of those eight years with six playoff appearances and four conference championships during that run. The lone exception was 2003 when EIU shut out California (Pa.) in the opener and finished the year at 4-8 overall. POTEMPA A MULTI-THREAT • Transfer running back/wide receiver Jimmy Potempa appears to be the dual threat player the Panthers have been looking for in the offense. He was the leading receiver against Illinois State with three catches for 22 yards and a touchdown. He also had four carries for 27 yards with an average of 6.8 yards per carry. In addition Potempa lines up as a kick returner and made one return for four yards against the Redbirds.
COOK RETURNS TO FORM • Kevin Cook appears to have returned to his form from his freshman season when he set the school record for punting average at 44.6 yards per kick. On Thursday he averaged 51 yards on two punts and would rank second in the nation if he had enough attempts. In his career against Indiana State, Cook has only had three punt attempts with all of them coming last season. In 2007, EIU did not punt for the entire game against the Sycamores. HAYNES A SHUT DOWN CORNER • Rashad Haynes has quickly developed into one of the top corners in the Ohio Valley Conference and he showed why against Illinois State. Haynes finished with five tackles making three solo stops. He also was credited with a pass breakup giving him 15 for his career. Haynes currently ranks sixth among FCS active players in interceptions with his nine picks currently tied for 9th on the EIU career list. TERRE HAUTE CONNECTION • Walk on punter Scott Weatherford is a native of Terre Haute having played for North HS last season. He most likely will not see any action on Saturday as the Panthers plan to redshirt him this season. His older brother Steve was a former kicker at the University of Illinois. HOOSIER PLAYERS • The Panthers will have a fair share of players from the state of Indiana on the roster when they play on Saturday in Terre Haute. In addition to Terre Haute native, Scott Weatherford, EIU has three other players from the Hoosier State. Sophomore center Willie Henderson is from Lafayette, freshman lineman Alex Pierce is from Carmel and freshman defensive end Zach Bruce is from Indianapolis. GOOSE EGGS FOR A HALF • Eastern Illinois limited Illinois State to only six points on Thursday night with that score coming late in the third quarter. It marked the first time since the Panthers played Indiana State on Sept. 13, 2008 that EIU had held a team scoreless for the first half of a game. The Panthers last shutout as a defense was Oct. 7, 2006 during a 210 victory over Southeast Missouri.
Believe In Blue • 12 NCAA FCS Playoff Appearances • OVC Champs 2006, 2005, 2002, 2001
September 12, 2009 • Eastern Illinois at Indiana State • Page 5 • www.EIUpanthers.com Eastern Illinois In The OVC/NCAA Stats (2009 final stats) TEAM NCAA...........OVC Rushing Offense (217.0)...................... 15th..............4th Passing Offense (167.00)......................51st..............6th Passing Efficiency (156.24)................. 23rd..............4th Total Offense (384.0).......................... 32nd..............4th Scoring Offense (31.0)......................... 26th..............5th Rushing Defense (20.0)......................... 6th.............. 1st Pass Defense (166.0).............................41st..............5th Pass Efficiency Def. (140.78).............. 63rd..............4th Total Defense (186.0)........................... 15th..............3rd Scoring Defense (6.0)............................ 8th..............3rd Net Punting (41.0).................................. 9th.............. 1st Punt Returns (9.50).............................. 27th..............4th Kickoff Returns (25.0)..........................21st..............4th Turnover Margin (-1.0)........................ 58th..............6th Turnovers Gained (1).......................... 62nd..............6th Sacks (4.0).............................................. 6th.............. 1st Tackles For Loss (6.0).......................... 39th..............5th Sacks Allowed (1.0)............................. 23rd..............4th 3rd Down Conversion (55.56)............. 12th..............3rd 4th Down Conversion (n/a) ...................Not Attempted 3rd Down Defense (41.67)................... 56th..............3rd Red Zone Offense ............................... 43rd..............6th Red Zone Defense................................ 54th..............7th Time of Possession (30:39).................. 43rd.............. 1st
INDIVIDUAL (Top 50) NCAA...........OVC Mon Williams (Rushing)...................... 36th..............6th Jake Christensen (Pass. Eff.)................ 18th..............3rd Rashad Haynes (Kick Returns)............ 29th..............3rd Austin Signor (Field Goals)................. 24th..............4th CJ James (Sacks).................................. 15th............. 2nd Artavious Dowdell (Sacks).................. 15th............. 2nd Andre Lima (Sacks)............................. 15th............. 2nd Perry Burge (Sacks)............................. 15th............. 2nd
DECADES BEST • Eastern Illinois enters the final season of the decade tied for the most wins of any OVC school over the last nine years with 65 wins. That number is even with only Eastern Kentucky with 65 wins. Overall among FCS schools, EIU ranks 27th tied with Villanova, Eastern Kentucky and UC Davis Wins Since 2000 65 - Eastern Illinois 65 - Eastern Kentucky 57 - Jacksonville State 45 - Tennessee State 43 - Tennessee Tech 39 - Murray State 37 - UT Martin 37 - Southeast Missouri 33 - Austin Peay
same face, new number • Several Eastern Illinois players changed uniforms numbers during the off season including starters Charles Graves and Lorence Ricks. Below are the six players who will be donning a new number for the Panthers this season. Player..............................New................Old Lorence Ricks....................... 3.................. 81 Cory Leman.......................... 8.................. 55 Charles Graves.................... 18.................. 87 Nick Martinez..................... 19.................. 40 James Cooper...................... 24.................. 39 Alain Marcelin.................... 44.................. 51
panthers to play on ESPNU • EIU will make its first ever football appearance on ESPNU this season when the Panthers host Tennessee State in the regular season finale. The game was moved to Thursday, Nov. 19 for television purposes and will be a 5 p.m. kick off. EIU currently has every home game televised in the Central Illinois region by WEIU TV. The last nationally televised contest was on CSTV during the 2007 season opener against Tennessee Tech.
AVOIDING THE SHUTOUT • Eastern Illinois enters this week with a streak of 67 straight games without being shutout. The last time EIU was held scoreless was Oct. 11, 2003 - a 41-0 loss versus Eastern Kentucky. The Panthers also have a streak of 23 straight games in which they have scored a touchdown. EIU’s longest streak of consecutive games without being shutout was 197 from 1977- making the big ten rounds 1996 which ranks fourth all-time among • The Panthers will continue to make their FCS schools. trip around the Big Ten Conference this season as they play at Penn State on Oct. Longest OVC Active Streaks 10. After not playing a Big Ten school for 98 - Jacksonville State more than 100 years of football, EIU will 67 - Eastern Illinois be facing a Big Ten opponent for the fourth 47 - UT Martin straight year. That string will continue over 43 - Murray State the next two years with a trip to Iowa set for 2010 and Northwestern in 2011. ncaa fbs transfers • Like most schools at the NCAA FCS level, Eastern Illinois has its share of NCAA WALTERS MAKES THE CUT FBS level transfers into the program. This • The Panthers will have yet another face season EIU added three more FBS players in the National Football League this season as 2008 graduate Pierre Walters was among giving them a total of ten FBS transfers. those players named to the 53-man roster for the Kansas City Chiefs prior to the 2009 EIU FBS Transfers 2 - Jimmy Potempa (Michigan) NFL season. Walters was a multiple time 4 - Bodie Reeder (Wyoming) All-American at Eastern Illinois ending 5 - Chevon Walker (Florida) his career third in career tackles for loss 7 - Mon Williams (Florida) at 42.5. He joins current Dallas Cowboys 11 - Jake Christensen (Iowa) quarterback Tony Romo as active players 25 - Shelton Penrow (Florida International) in the NFL while EIU also has several 48 - Austin Signor (Iowa) coaching alumni in the NFL ranks with head 63 - Otis Hudson (Minnesota) coach Sean Payton in New Orleans and 92 - Michael Letton (Navy) head coach Brad Childress in Minnesota. 99 - Trevor Frericks (Bowling Green)
Believe In Blue • 12 NCAA FCS Playoff Appearances • OVC Champs 2006, 2005, 2002, 2001
September 12, 2009 • Eastern Illinois at Indiana State • Page 6 • www.EIUpanthers.com
HOW DO YOU SAY THAT - EIU Pronunciation Guide
2...Jimmy Potempa...................................poe-TIM-pah 8...Cory Leman..............................coor-EE * Lay-man 12...Bobson Mercier..........................................Mur-sear 30...Sean Sobolewski................................. so-bo-lou-ski 44...Alain Marcelin..................................... mar-Sa-lynn 58...Alex Luhring............................................. lure-Ring 60...Seth Knolhoff............................................. knoll-off 89...Daniel Vehovic......................................Va-hoe-vick 90...Spyros Bazigos................... Spear-ro * bah-zee-gos 94...Andre Lima................................................. lee-mah 95...Nathan Galan............................................... gah-lon 96...Colin Luczynski...................................Loo-chin-ski 97...Judes Amilcar........................ jewd-es * AH-mil-car 99...Trevor Frericks..................................... Fra-air-ricks
EIU 2008 ROSTER BREAKDOWN BY STATE/YEAR
EIU Roster By Home State Illinois.......................................................................... 51 Florida.......................................................................... 21 Ohio............................................................................... 5 Wisconsin....................................................................... 5 Indiana............................................................................ 3 Arizona........................................................................... 2 Texas.............................................................................. 2 California....................................................................... 1 Kentucky........................................................................ 1 Iowa................................................................................ 1 EIU Roster By Class Graduate......................................................................... 1 Senior........................................................................... 13 Junior........................................................................... 16 Sophomore................................................................... 18 Redshirt Freshman....................................................... 17 Freshman...................................................................... 27 2009 EASTERN ILLINOIS CAPTAINS
OFFENSE 4...Bodie Reeder.........................................Quarterback 74...Chaz Millard..................................Offensive Guard DEFENSE 1...Adrian Arrington.............................................Rover 9...Seymour Loftman.................................. Free Safety
PANTHERS INSTALL NEW VIDEO SCOREBOARD • Home games at O’Brien Field will have a little different feel this season as the Panthers have installed a new video scoreboard in the north end of the field. The video board also includes a new stateof-the-art sound system. The scoreboard system was purchased from Daktronics, Inc., and will provide a new dimension to the Panthers home game experience. The only catch is that Panther fans will now have to get accustomed to turning north instead of south were the previous scoreboards have stood for 40 years. o’brien field turns 40 • Eastern Illinois will play its 40th season of intercollegiate football at O’Brien Field this season. The field was originally opened as Lincoln Field in 1970 with the Panthers losing the dedication game on Sept. 12 against Indiana State, 28-18. The field complex was later renamed O’Brien Field in honor of former football, track and cross country coach Maynard ‘Pat’ O’Brien. In the 40 years at O’Brien, EIU has posted a 150-67-3 record (68 percent) with seven undefeated seasons. MILLARD NAMED PRESEASON ALL-AMERICAN Senior Chaz Millard has been named a preseason AllAmerican by several publications after earning honorable mention All-American honors each of the past two seasons at right guard. During the spring due to injuries on the offensive line Millard moved over to the center position and played so well he won the starting job at that spot. He enters the 2009 season with a streak of 26 games without allowing a sack. He graded out at 93 percent last season with 57 decleater blocks. FATHER/SON COMBO • When Jake Christensen suits up at quarterback for Eastern Illinois he will join his father as one of two recent Panther father/ son combinations. Christensen’s father Jeff played quarterback at EIU from 1980-82 and left as the school’s career leading passer with 6,282 yards. He has since fallen to fourth but does still rank in many single season and career top ten lists at EIU. Last season linebacker Shannon Cobb was a member of the Panthers team after his father David was a defensive back on the 1978 EIU Division II National Championship team. LORA REPRESENTS TEAM USA • Incoming freshman wide receiver Erik Lora got a little extra football in this summer as he was selected as a member of the junior U.S. National Football Team. Lora competed in the Junior World Football Games helping the USA win gold as he made six catches for 75 yards and one touchdown in the three game tournament. panthers picked 3rd in ovc • Eastern Illinois was selected to finish third in the OVC preseason coaches poll that was released mid-summer. The Panthers received two first place votes as five teams received at least one first place vote. Eastern Kentucky was selected to finish first with UT Martin picked second. Probable league favorite Jacksonville State was not eligible for the OVC title based on an NCAA APR penalty for this season.
Believe In Blue • 12 NCAA FCS Playoff Appearances • OVC Champs 2006, 2005, 2002, 2001
September 12, 2009 • Eastern Illinois at Indiana State • Page 7 • www.EIUpanthers.com
NEW PLAYERS ON THE EIU ROSTER #11 - Jake Christensen (Quarterback) 6-1, 215, Grad., Lockport, Ill. (Iowa) IOWA: 2008: Started two games against Maine and Pittsburgh as Iowa finished the season playing the Outback Bowl... appeared in eight games passing for 396 yards and two touchdowns... was 36-of-63 with one interception... 2007 - - Listed as first team quarterback following spring practice . . . started at quarterback and played every offensive play in opening win over Northern Illinois as offense rushed for 250 yards and gained 383 yards total offense . . . completed 12-29 passes for 133 yards and one touchdown, a five-yard toss in the second quarter . . . started at quarterback in win over Syracuse as offense gained 408 yards total offense . . . completed 23-32 passes for 278 yards vs. Syracuse, with four touchdown passes and one interception . . . scoring strikes covered 52, 36, five and six yards . . . started at quarterback and played every offensive down in loss at Iowa State, completing 12-23 attempts for 118 yards, with no turnovers . . . scored Iowa’s only touchdown on 11-yard run in the third period for first career rushing touchdown . . . started at quarterback and played every offensive down in loss at Wisconsin . . . completed 17-37 passes for 169 yards and one touchdown, with no interceptions . . . also rushed eight times for 11 yards . . . scoring strike covered 21 yards with four seconds remaining in second period . . . started at quarterback and played every offensive down in loss to Indiana . . . completed 24-42 passes for 308 yards and three touchdowns, with one interception . . . scoring passes covered 33, 10 and 18 yards . . . started at quarterback and played every offensive down in loss at Penn State . . . completed 16-29 passes for 146 yards, with an 11-yard touchdown strike and no interceptions . . . started at quarterback and played every offensive down in win over 18thranked Illinois . . . completed 17-25 passes for 182 yards and one touchdown, with no interceptions, vs. Illinois . . . completed 20-yard scoring strike in final minute of third period for only touchdown of the game in 10-6 win . . . started at quarterback in loss at Purdue . . . completed 17-40 passes for 177 yards at Purdue, with one interception, stopping a streak of 111 passes between interceptions . . . started at quarterback and played every offensive down in double OT win over Michigan State . . . completed 5-15 passes for 53 yards and one score vs. MSU, with the TD pass covering 23 yards in the first overtime period . . . started at quarterback and played every offensive down in win at Northwestern as offense gained 299 passing yards and 369 yards total offense . . . completed 21-36 passes for 299 yards and one touchdown at Northwestern, with no interceptions . . . scoring pass covered 20 yards for Iowa’s first score of the game . . . started at quarterback and played every offensive down in win over Minnesota . . . completed 14-25 passes for 157 yards and one touchdown, with one interception . . . connected with TE Brandon Myers on eight-yard scoring pass for first touchdown of the game . . . started at quarterback and played every offensive down in loss to Western Michigan as offense gained 397 yards total offense . . . completed 20-37 passes for 249 yards and three touchdowns vs. Western Michigan, with two interceptions and 45 yards on 12 rushing attempts... 2006 - - Listed as third team quarterback following spring practice . . . saw action in 41-7 win over Montana as offense gained 416 yards total offense . . . competed all three pass attempts for 19 yards vs. Montana in first action of career . . . did not see action in win at Syracuse . . . did not see action in win over Iowa State . . . did not see action in win at Illinois . . . did not see action in loss to top-ranked Ohio State . . . saw action in win over Purdue as offense reached season high marks in points (47) and rushing yards (286) . . . did not see action in loss at Indiana . . . did not see action in loss at Michigan . . . started first game of his career in Northern Illinois, leading offense to 405 yards total offense in win . . . completed 19-30 passes for 256 yards and two scores, with one interception . . . completed scoring passes of six and 10 yards, with final TD pass sealing the victory in the fourth quarter . . . did not see action in loss to
Northwestern . . . did not see action in loss to Wisconsin . . . saw action in loss at Minnesota, completing 1-2 passes for 10 yards, with one interception, as offense gained season-best 546 yards total offense . . . saw action vs. Texas in Alamo Bowl, gaining one yard on two rushing attempts... 2005 - - Redshirted . . . Team Leader Award, offense. HIGH SCHOOL: Earned all-American recognition from USA Today, SuperPrep, Rivals.com and Parade Magazine . . . named Illinois Player of the Year by Champaign News-Gazette . . . was first team all-state and all-conference as a senior . . . earned first team allconference, all-area and all-state honors as a junior after leading prep team to second straight Class 8A state title . . . Career - - career totals include 404774 for 6,555 yards and 69 touchdowns . . . completed 178-317 attempts as a senior for 2,874 yards and 36 touchdowns as a senior, with 11 interceptions . . . passed for 3,681 yards and 33 touchdowns, with five interceptions as a junior, completing 226-457 pass attempts . . . earned three letters in football and three letters as baseball outfielder... PERSONAL: - - parents are Linda Freveletti and Jeff Christensen . . . member of prep Honor Roll for four years . . . father played with Cincinnati, Philadelphia and Cleveland in the NFL . . . high school coach was Bret Kooi.
#2 - Jimmy Potempa (Running Back) 5-7, 171, R-So., Mundelein, Ill. (Michigan) MICHIGAN: Sophomore (2008): Redshirted at Michigan... Freshman (2007)... played in three games at tailback ... made career debut vs. Notre Dame (Sept. 15), rushing twice for nine yards ... carried three times for six yards against Eastern Michigan (Oct. 6) ... had a one-yard carry vs. Minnesota (Oct. 27)... HIGH SCHOOL: attended Carmel Catholic High School (2007) ... National Honor Society member ... four-year varsity letterman ... played on kickoff team for state championship squad as a freshman ... Key Statistics... set school records for career rushing yards and career touchdowns ... carried the ball 150 times for 1,368 yards and scored 21 touchdowns as a senior ... gained 976 rushing yards and scored 12 TDs junior year ... gained 1,203 rushing yards and scored 15 TDs as a sophomore ... Honors and Rankings... Class 7A All-State selection from the Illinois High School Coaches Association as a senior ... Class 7A Academic All-State senior year ... Tom Lemming’s Prep Football Report All-Area selection as a sophomore, junior and senior ... East Suburban Catholic Conference Offensive Player of the Year as a senior ... earned All-East Suburban Catholic Conference honors as sophomore, junior and senior ... three-time team MVP ... Daily Herald AllArea selection three straight seasons ... Other Sports... two-year letterman in track ... fourth-place finisher in the 100-meter dash and a fifth-place finisher in the 200-meter dash at the East Suburban Catholic Conference Championship senior year ... member of 4x200-meter relay team that won conference title ... earned varsity letters in basketball and baseball... PERSONAL: father, Gary, played football at Notre Dame (1970-74) ... brother, Dan, played football at Iowa State (1997-99) and Millikin University (1999-2002) .
Believe In Blue • 12 NCAA FCS Playoff Appearances • OVC Champs 2006, 2005, 2002, 2001
September 12, 2009 • Eastern Illinois at Indiana State • Page 8 • www.EIUpanthers.com
EIU OFFENSE
QUARTERBACK 11....Jake Christensen............ 6-1............215............Grad 4....Bodie Reeder................. 6-0............208............ R-Sr RUNNING BACK 7....Mon Williams.................. 6-2............220.............R-Jr or 5....Chevon Walker.............. 5-10...........197.............R-Jr 2....Jimmy Potempa.............. 5-7............171........... R-So SPLIT 3....Lorence Ricks................. 6-1............178........... R-So 81....Chris Wright.................... 6-1............175................ Fr FLANKER 18....Charles Graves.............. 6-1............179.............R-Jr 86....Chavar Watkins.............. 6-2............198............ R-Fr SLOT 15....Kenny Whittaker............ 5-10...........183................ Fr 22....Erik Lora........................ 5-10...........166................ Fr TIGHT END 89....Danny Vehovic............... 6-2............227.............R-Jr 45....Keagan Robinson........... 6-6............249............ R-Fr LEFT TACKLE 66....Chris Campbell............... 6-5............320............ R-Sr 77....Ryan Grossman............. 6-4............277........... R-So LEFT GUARD 76....Eric Zink......................... 6-6............284............... So 67....Mike O’Neill.................... 6-2............287............ R-Fr CENTER 74....Chaz Millard................... 6-3............291............ R-Sr 61....Willie Henderson............ 6-2............273........... R-So RIGHT GUARD 70....Chris Vaccaro................. 6-3............288............ R-Sr 68....Mike Scheibel................. 6-3............326............ R-Sr RIGHT TACKLE 63....Otis Hudson.................... 6-3............331............ R-Sr 66....Chris Campbell............... 6-5............320............ R-Sr
EIU COACHING STAFF Head Coach: Bob Spoo (Purdue, 1960 - 21st year) (Career Record 133-109-1; OVC Record 59-29) Associate Head Coach/Defensive Coordinator: Roc Bellantoni (9th year) Associate Head Coach/Offensive Coordinator: Roy Wittke (15thth year) Special Teams Coach: Matthew Smiley (1st year) Offensive Line Coach: Jeff Hoover (3rd year) Wide Receivers: Mike Lynch (5th year) Defensive Line: Forrest Jackson (6th year) Secondary Coach: Bobby Babich (3rd year) Offensive Assistant: Jason Fisher (1st year) Defensive Assistant: Chad Cleveland (2nd year) Quality Control Coaches: Nick Kray Trainer: Jen Tymkew (4th year) Strength Coach: Eric Cash (1st year) Volunteer Football Operations: Cole Spencer (1st year)
EIU DEFENSE
LEFT END 95....Nathan Galan................. 6-2............236.............R-Jr 84....Taylor Dunn.................... 6-5............252................ Sr 32....Artavious Dowdell........... 6-2............210................ Fr LEFT TACKLE 94....Andre Lima..................... 6-0............289............ R-Sr 92....Michael Letton................ 6-4............242............ R-Fr RIGHT TACKLE 99....Trevor Frericks............... 6-1............269............ R-Sr 90....Spyros Bazigos..............5-11........... 311.............R-Jr RIGHT END 98....Perry Burge.................... 6-2............235............... So 96....Colin Luczynski.............. 6-1............234.............R-Jr OUTSIDE LINEBACKER 8....Cory Leman.................... 6-0............219........... R-So 44....Alain Marcelin................. 6-0............227.................Jr MIDDLE LINEBACKER 46....Gordy Kickels................. 6-1............216............... So 8....Cory Leman.................... 6-0............219........... R-So OUTSIDE LINEBACKER 56....Nick Nasti....................... 6-1............237.................Jr 54....Perry Maynard................ 6-2............218............ R-Fr LEFT CORNERBACK 26....Rashad Haynes..............5-11...........177.............R-Jr 24....James Cooper............... 5-10........... 187............ R-Fr ROVER 1....Adrian Arrington..............5-11...........205............ R-Sr 12....Bobson Mercier............. 5-10........... 187.............R-Jr FREE SAFETY 9....Seymour Loftman...........5-11...........189............ R-Sr 6....Carlos Reyna.................. 6-0............184............... So RIGHT CORNERBACK 21....CJ James....................... 5-8............183.................Jr 25....Shelton Penrow............. 5-10........... 176............ R-Sr
EIU SPECIALISTS
PLACEKICKER 48....Austin Signor.................. 6-4............216............ R-Sr 38....Jason Baker...................5-11...........190................ Fr PUNTER 41....Kevin Cook..................... 6-2............201.............R-Jr KICK OFFS 48....Austin Signor.................. 6-4............216............ R-Sr HOLDER 41....Kevin Cook..................... 6-2............201.............R-Jr LONG SNAPPER 46....Gordy Kickels................. 6-1............216............... So 51....Adam Baker.................... 6-2............225................ Fr PUNT RETURNS 26....Rashad Haynes..............5-11...........177.............R-Jr 2....Jimmy Potempa.............. 5-7............171........... R-So KICK RETURNS 21....CJ James....................... 5-8............183.................Jr 26....Rashad Haynes..............5-11...........177.............R-Jr
Believe In Blue • 12 NCAA FCS Playoff Appearances • OVC Champs 2006, 2005, 2002, 2001
September 12, 2009 • Eastern Illinois at Indiana State • Page 9 • www.EIUpanthers.com
EASTERN ILLINOIS FOOTBALL INSIDE THE NUMBERS
Eastern Illinois Football The Last Time It Happened.... Passed for more than 300 yards... Cole Stinson, 308 vs. Tennessee Tech (August 30, 2007) Passed for more than 400 yards... Tony Romo, 414 at Toledo (Sept. 16, 2000) Threw four touchdown passes... Tony Romo, 4 at Tennessee State (Nov. 2, 2002) Rushed for more than 200 yards... Vincent Webb, 206 at Samford (Sept. 23, 2006) Rushed for three touchdowns... Desmin Ward, 3 vs. Tennessee Tech (Nov. 22, 2008) Rushed for four touchdowns... J.R. Taylor, 4 vs. Florida Atlantic (Nov. 16, 2002) Had 10 Receptions... Micah Rucker, 11 vs. Murray State (Oct. 13, 2007) Had 3 touchdown receptions... Micah Rucker, 3 vs. Southeast Missouri (Oct. 7, 2006) Had 200 yards receiving... Frank Cutolo, 239 vs. Tennessee State (Oct. 27, 2001) Returned a punt for a touchdown... Jermaine Mobley, 1 vs. Tennessee State (Oct. 30, 2004) Returned a kick-off for touchdown... Quinten Ponius, 1 at Jacksonville State (Nov. 10, 2007) Returned an interception for touchdown... Rashad Haynes, 1 vs. Indiana State (Sept. 13, 2008) Returned a fumble for touchdown... Irvin Jean-Charles, 1 at Illinois (Sept. 6, 2008) Recorded a safety... Trevor Frericks, 1 vs. Samford (Nov. 17, 2007) Blocked a punt... Kenny Kinchen, 1 vs. Jacksonville State (Sept. 27, 2008)
Returned a blocked punt for touchdown - blocked by... Adrian Arrington, 1 vs. Jacksonville State (Sept. 27, 2008) - Kenny Kinchen Blocked a field goal... Pierre Walters, 1 vs. Austin Peay (Nov. 15, 2008) Returned a blocked field goal for touchdown - block by... Rashad Haynes, 1 vs. Samford (Nov. 17, 2007) - Trevor Frericks Won a game on a field goal... Tyler Wilke, 30-yards at Tennessee State (Oct. 27, 2007) Had 15 or more tackles on defense... Seymour Loftman, 15 at Illinois (Sept. 6, 2008) Had 3 or more sacks on defense... Kory Lothe, 4 vs. Tennessee Tech (Nov. 8, 2003)
EASTERN ILLINOIS QUICK FACTS LOCATION: . ...................................................Charleston, Illinois FOUNDED:............................................................................. 1895 ENROLLMENT:.................................................................. 12,129 COLORS:....................................................................Blue & Gray CONFERENCE:.......................................................... Ohio Valley STADIUM:.................................................. O’Brien Field (10,000) SURFACE:....................................................................... Pro-Grass PRESIDENT:...................................................Dr. William L. Perry ATHLETIC DIRECTOR:....................................... Barbara Burke O’BRIEN PRESS BOX PHONE:......................... (217) 581-7770 EIU TICKET OFFICE:......................................... (217) 581-2106 EIU SPORTS INFORMATION:.......................... (217) 581-7480 EIU WEBSITE:.......................................... www.EIUpanthers.com
MEDIA OPPORTUNITIES & RESOURCES OVC TELECONFERENCE: Each week during the football season all 9 head coaches in the Ohio Valley Conference will take part in a weekly teleconference on Tuesday mornings. The first teleconference will be Tuesday, Sept. 1. EIU head coach will speak at 10:07 a.m. (Central) each Tuesday. Media members can obtain the phone number and pass code from the EIU Sports Information office. EXTRA POINT FOOTBALL LUNCHEONS: Each Wednesday throughout the football season Eastern Illinois will host an Extra Point Media Luncheon which will also be open to the public. The event will take place at Noon at the Panther Paw Bar & Grill in Charleston. Head coach Bob Spoo, assistant coaches and selected players will be available for media interviews along with some questions from the public. PANTHER SPORTS TALK: Each Monday night during the football season fans can listen to head coach Bob Spoo along with other special guests and players as they talk about the 2008 football season. The show will be broadcast on Hit Mix 88.9 FM with a live stream available at www.weiuhitmix.net. The show will also be simulcast live on Consolidated Channel Your 13 with tape delayed airings on Consolidated Your 13 on Wednesdays at 10:30 p.m. OVCSPORTS.TV: For the third straight year, the Ohio Valley Conference will allow fans to watch live streams of its football games through the OVCSPORTS.TV website. Fans can purchase a season package or individual games to watch their favorite OVC team. LIVE STATS: Live stats of most EIU games can be found on the EIU athletics webpage at www.EIUpanthers.com INTERNET RADIO: Live streaming of all EIU football games can be heard at www.weiuhitmix.net PANTHER RADIO NETWORK: Eastern Illinois football can be heard live on the radio via the Panther Football Radio Network. Games will be broadcast by the “Voice of the Panthers” Mike Bradd with color commentary by Jack Ashmore and sideline reporting of home games by John Twork. Hit Mix 88.9 FM WEIU is the flagship station with games also being carried on WHOW 1510 AM and WMKR 94.3 FM.
Believe In Blue • 12 NCAA FCS Playoff Appearances • OVC Champs 2006, 2005, 2002, 2001
September 12, 2009 • Eastern Illinois at Indiana State • Page 10 • www.EIUpanthers.com
EASTERN ILLINOIS PLAYOFF HISTORY (FCS/I-AA Playoffs) 2007 (First Round @ Carbondale, Ill.) Southern Illinois def. Eastern Illinois, 30-11 2006 (First Round @ Charleston, Ill.) Illinois State def. Eastern Illinois, 24-13 2005 (First Round @ Charleston, Ill.) Southern Illinois def. Eastern Illinois, 21-6 2002 (First Round @ McComb, Ill.) Western Illinois def. Eastern Illinois, 48-9 2001 (First Round @ Charleston, Ill.) Northern Iowa def. Eastern Illinois, 49-43 2000 (First Round @ Missoula, Mont.) Montana def. Eastern Illinois, 45-13 1996 (First Round @ Cedar Falls, Iowa) Northern Iowa def. Eastern Illinois, 21-14 1995 (First Round @ Nacogdoches, Texas) Stephen F. Austin def. Eastern Illinois, 34-29 1989 (First Round @ Moscow, Ida.) Eastern Illinois def. Idaho, 38-21 1989 (Quarterfinals @ Missoula, Mont.) Montana def. Eastern Illinois, 25-19 1986 (First Round @ Charleston, Ill.) Eastern Illinois def. Murray State, 28-21
NCAA PLAYOFF APPEARANCES School........................ # Appearances (Last) Montana..........................................19 (2008) Eastern Kentucky............................19 (2008) Georgia Southern............................16 (2005) Appalachian State.......................... 16 (2008) Furman............................................15 (2006) Northern Iowa.................................14 (2008) Delaware.........................................14 (2007) McNeese State................................13 (2007) EASTERN ILLINOIS..................12 (2007) Jackson State...................................12 (1997) Youngstown State........................... 11 (2006) * Idaho............................................ 11 (1995) Idaho currently plays at the NCAA I level
Division II Playoffs 1978 (National Champions) Eastern Illinois def. UC Davis, 35-31 Eastern Illinois def. Youngstown State, 26-22 Eastern Illinois def. Delaware, 10-9 1980 (National Runners-up) Eastern Illinois def. Northern Colorado, 21-14 Eastern Illinois def. Northern Alabama, 56-31 Cal Poly def. Eastern Illinois, 21-13
1986 (Quarterfinals @ Charleston, Ill.) Eastern Kentucky def. Eastern Illinois, 24-22 1983 (First Round @ Terre Haute, Ind.) Indiana State def. Eastern Illinois, 16-13 (2OT) 1982 (First Round @ Charleston, Ill.) Eastern Illinois def. Jackson State, 16-13 (OT) 1982 (Quarterfinals @ Nashville, Tenn.) Tennessee State def. Eastern Illinois, 20-19 All-Time Playoff Record: 3-12 Home Record: 2-4 Road Record: 1-8
Believe In Blue • 12 NCAA FCS Playoff Appearances • OVC Champs 2006, 2005, 2002, 2001
September 12, 2009 • Eastern Illinois at Indiana State • Page 11 • www.EIUpanthers.com GAME 1 - Sept. 3, 2009 Illinois State....................... 6 Eastern Illinois............... 31 Charleston, Ill. O’Brien Field (A: 10,013) Scoring 1 2 3 4 Final Illinois State...............0........ 0........ 6........ 0................6 Eastern Illinois.........0....... 14....... 7....... 10.............31 SECOND QUARTER EIU - M. Williams 6 run (Signor kick) (11:59) EIU - Potempa 10 pass from Christensen (Signor kick) (0:14) THIRD QUARTER EIU - Wright 12 pass from Christensen (Signor kick) (8:01) ILS - Graves 3 pass from Kiel (run failed) (3:58) FOURTH QUARTER EIU - Ricks 25 pass from Christensen (Signor kick) (14:53) EIU - Signor 18 field goal (4:18)
TEAM STATS.........EIU........... ILS
First Downs................................ 24.......................14 Rushes-Yards..........................41-217................26-20 Passing-Yards............................ 167.....................166 Comp-Att-Int..........................14-23-1............. 25-30-0 Total Offense............................. 384.....................186 Fumbles-Lost.............................1-1.....................1-1 Penalties-Yards..........................4-40...................6-60 Int Returns-Yards-TD..............0-0-0................. 1-0-0 Time of Possession...................30:39................. 29:21 Sacks-Yards...............................4-26....................1-7
LEADERS RUSHING (No-Yds-TD) EIU - M. Williams (16-87-1), Walker (10-68-0) ILS - Blow (13-37-0), Gordon (3-8-0) PASSING (Att-Cmp-Int-Yds-TD) EIU - Christensen (22-14-1-167-3) ILS - Kiel (22-20-0-140-1). Brown (8-5-0-26-0) RECEIVING (No -Yds -TD) EIU - Potempa (3-22-1), Watkins (2-39-0) ILS - Cline (6-69-0), Graves (5-23-1) DEFENSE (Tackles - Solo, Assist, TFL) EIU - Nasti (4-5-0), Leman (1-7-0), James (5-0-1) ILS - Malcolm (3-7-0), Phelps (4-5-1.5)
RECAP Transfers Jake Christensen and Mon Williams helped carry the load as Eastern Illinois opened with a convincing 316 win over rival Illinois State. Christensen passed for 167 yards completing three touchdowns to three different receivers. Williams paced the Panthers ground game with 87 yards on 16 carries including a score in the second quarter. The Panthers used a two-minute drill drive to end the second quarter as Christensen hit Jimmy Potempa on a 10-yard strike to put EIU up 14-0 at the break. He would connect with Chris Wright in the third quarter as the Panthers extended the lead to 21-0. The EIU defense was strong against the run limiting the Redbirds to just 20 yards on 26 carries.
Believe In Blue • 12 NCAA FCS Playoff Appearances • OVC Champs 2006, 2005, 2002, 2001
September 12, 2009 • Eastern Illinois at Indiana State • Page 12 • www.EIUpanthers.com 2009 EIU PANTHERS FOOTBALL EASTERN ILLINOIS Game Results All games
Date ---Sep 3, 2009
Opponent -------ILLINOIS STATE
W
Score ----31-6
Overall Record -------1- 0- 0
Ohio Valley Record -------0- 0- 0
Time ---2:30
Attend -----10013
* indicates conference game
2009 EASTERN ILLINOIS STARTERS OPPONENT Illinois State
OPPONENT Illinois State
SLOT LT LG Whittaker Campbell Zink
DE Burge
DT Lima
DT Frericks
C Millard
RG Vaccaro
DE Galan
SAM Nasti
RT TE Hudson Vehovic
SPLIT FLANK QB RB Ricks Watkins Christensen Walker
MLB Kickels
CB ROVER FS James Arrington Loftman
WILL Leman
Believe In Blue • 12 NCAA FCS Playoff Appearances • OVC Champs 2006, 2005, 2002, 2001
CB Haynes
2009 EASTERN ILLINOIS FOOTBALL Eastern Illinois Overall Team Statistics (as of Sep 08, 2009) All games Team Statistics SCORING Points Per Game FIRST DOWNS Rushing Pa s s i n g Penalty RUSHING YARDAGE Yards gained rushing Yards lost rushing Rushing Attempts Average Per Rush Average Per Game TDs Rushing PASSING YARDAGE C o m p - At t - I n t Average Per Pass Average Per Catch Average Per Game TDs Passing TOTAL OFFENSE Total Plays Average Per Play Average Per Game KICK RETURNS: #-Yards PUNT RETURNS: #-Yards INT RETURNS: #-Yards KICK RETURN AVERAGE PUNT RETURN AVERAGE INT RETURN AVERAGE FUMBLES-LOST PENALTIES-Yards Average Per Game PUNTS-Yards Average Per Punt Net punt average TIME OF POSSESSION/Game 3RD-DOWN Conversions 3rd-Down Pct 4TH-DOWN Conversions 4th-Down Pct SACKS BY-Yards MISC YARDS TOUCHDOWNS SCORED FIELD GOALS-ATTEMPTS ON-SIDE KICKS RED-ZONE SCORES RED-ZONE TOUCHDOWNS PAT-ATTEMPTS ATTENDANCE Games/Avg Per Game Neutral Site Games Score by Quarters Eastern Illinois Opponents
EIU 31 31.0 24 13 9 2 217 251 34 41 5.3 217.0 1 167 14-23-1 7.3 11.9 167.0 3 384 64 6.0 384.0 2-50 2-19 0-0 25.0 9.5 0.0 1-1 4-40 40.0 2-102 51.0 41.0 30:39 5/9 56% 0/0 0% 4-26 0 4 1-1 0-0 4-5 80% 3-5 60% 4-4 100% 10013 1/10013
1st
2nd
3rd
4th
OT
0 0
14 0
7 6
10 0
0 0
Total 31 6
OPP 6 6.0 14 3 11 0 20 75 55 26 0.8 20.0 0 166 25-30-0 5.5 6.6 166.0 1 186 56 3.3 186.0 2-42 0-0 1-0 21.0 0.0 0.0 1-1 6-60 60.0 6-220 36.7 33.5 29:21 5/12 42% 0/1 0% 1-7 0 1 0-0 0-0 1-1 100% 1-1 100% 0-0 0% 0 0/0 0/0
2009 EASTERN ILLINOIS FOOTBALL Eastern Illinois Overall Individual Statistics (as of Sep 08, 2009) All games
Rushing
WILLIAMS, Mon WALKER, Chevon POTEMPA, Jimmy LORA, Erik WARD, Desmin CHRISTENSEN, Jake Total Opponents Passing
CHRISTENSEN, Jake REEDER, Bodie Total Opponents
gp
att
gain loss
net avg td
lg avg/g
Punt Returns
1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
16 10 4 1 7 3 41 26
94 71 30 24 21 11 251 75
87 68 27 24 21 -10 217 20
29 24 19 24 5 11 29 14
POTEMPA, Jimmy HAYNES, Rashad Total Opponents
gp
7 3 3 0 0 21 34 55
effic comp-att-int
1 163.31 1 0.00 1 156.21 1 140.81
14-22-1 0-1-0 14-23-1 25-30-0
5.4 6.8 6.8 24.0 3.0 -3.3 5.3 0.8
pct
63.6 0.0 60.9 83.3
1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
87.0 68.0 27.0 24.0 21.0 -10.0 217.0 20.0
Interceptions
Total Opponents
yds td
lg avg/g
Kick Returns
167 0 167 166
25 167.0 0 0.0 25 167.0 17 166.0
HAYNES, Rashad Total Opponents
3 0 3 1
Fumble Returns Receiving
POTEMPA, Jimmy WATKINS, Chavar LORA, Erik WRIGHT, Chris RICKS, Lorence WHITTAKER, Kenny VEHOVIC, Danny WILLIAMS, Mon WALKER, Chevon Total Opponents
gp
no.
yds
avg
td
lg avg/g
1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
3 2 2 2 1 1 1 1 1 14 25
22 39 23 21 25 15 9 9 4 167 166
7.3 19.5 11.5 10.5 25.0 15.0 9.0 9.0 4.0 11.9 6.6
1 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 3 1
10 23 16 12 25 15 9 9 4 25 17
22.0 39.0 23.0 21.0 25.0 15.0 9.0 9.0 4.0 167.0 166.0
Total Opponents
no.
1 1 2 0 no.
0 1 no.
2 2 2 no.
0 0
yds avg td
4 15 19 0
4.0 15.0 9.5 0.0
lg
0 0 0 0
4 15 15 0
yds avg td
lg
0 0.0 0 0.0
0 0
yds avg td
50 25.0 50 25.0 42 21.0
0 0 lg
0 0 0
33 33 21
yds avg td
lg
0 0.0 0 0.0
0 0
0 0
2009 EASTERN ILLINOIS FOOTBALL Eastern Illinois Overall Individual Statistics (as of Sep 08, 2009) All games
Scoring
td
fg
kick
PAT rush rcv pass dxp saf
pts
Total Offense
g plays
rush pass
total avg/g
SIGNOR, Austin RICKS, Lorence WILLIAMS, Mon WRIGHT, Chris POTEMPA, Jimmy Total Opponents
- 1-1 1 1 1 1 4 1-1 1 -
4-4 4-4 -
0-1
7 6 6 6 6 31 6
CHRISTENSEN, Jake WILLIAMS, Mon WALKER, Chevon POTEMPA, Jimmy LORA, Erik WARD, Desmin Total Opponents
1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
-10 87 68 27 24 21 217 20
157 87 68 27 24 21 384 186
Field Goals
fg
SIGNOR, Austin
1-1 100.0 1-1
-
-
-
pct. 01-19 20-29 30-39 40-49 50-99
0-0
0-0
0-0
FG Sequence
Eastern Illinois
Opponents
Illinois State
(18)
-
0-0
-
lg blk
Punting
18
COOK, Kevin Total Opponents
0
Kickoffs
Numbers in (parentheses) indicate field goal was made.
SIGNOR, Austin Total Opponents
25 16 10 4 1 7 64 56
167 0 0 0 0 0 167 166
157.0 87.0 68.0 27.0 24.0 21.0 384.0 186.0
no. yds avg lg tb fc i20 50+ blk
2 102 51.0 53 2 102 51.0 53 6 220 36.7 44
1 1 0
1 1 2
no. yds avg tb ob retn
6 404 67.3 6 404 67.3 2 121 60.5
3 3 0
1 1 0
1 1 0
0 0 0
net ydln
1 1 21.0 50.3 0 25.0 35.5
19 34
2009 EASTERN ILLINOIS FOOTBALL Eastern Illinois Overall Individual Statistics (as of Sep 08, 2009) All games All Purpose
g
rush
rcv
pr
kr
ir
total avg/g
WILLIAMS, Mon WALKER, Chev HAYNES, Rasha POTEMPA, Jim LORA, Erik WATKINS, Chav RICKS, Lorence WARD, Desmin WRIGHT, Chris WHITTAKER, K VEHOVIC, Dann CHRISTENSEN, Total Opponents
1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
87 68 0 27 24 0 0 21 0 0 0 -10 217 20
9 4 0 22 23 39 25 0 21 15 9 0 167 166
0 0 15 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 19 0
0 0 50 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 50 42
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
96 72 65 53 47 39 25 21 21 15 9 -10 453 228
96.0 72.0 65.0 53.0 47.0 39.0 25.0 21.0 21.0 15.0 9.0 -10.0 453.0 228.0
2009 EASTERN ILLINOIS FOOTBALL Eastern Illinois Overall Defensive Statistics (as of Sep 08, 2009) All games
## 56 8 1 46 26 21 98 6 25 90 32 94 99 9 96 28 54 24 44 43 84
Defensive Leaders
NASTI, Nick LEMAN, Cory ARRINGTON, Adrian KICKELS, Gordy HAYNES, Rashad JAMES, CJ BURGE, Perry REYNA, Carlos PENROW, Shelton BAZIGOS, Spyros DOWDELL, Artavious LIMA, Andre FRERICKS, Trevor LOFTMAN, Seymour LUCZYNSKI, Colin BEARD, Nick MAYNARD, Perry COOPER, James MARCELIN, Alain TURNER, Ryan DUNN, Taylor Total Opponents
gp
ua
1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
4 1 4 3 3 5 3 2 1 1 2 1 1 1 . 1 1 1 . 1 . 36 22
Tackles a tot
5 7 1 2 2 . 1 1 2 1 . 1 . . 1 . . . 1 . 1 26 62
9 8 5 5 5 5 4 3 3 2 2 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 62 84
tfl/yds
Sacks no-yds
. . 1.0-24 . . 1.0-8 1.0-4 . . . 1.0-6 1.0-8 1.0-3 . . . . . . . . 6-53 5-20
. . . . . 1.0-8 1.0-4 . . . 1.0-6 1.0-8 . . . . . . . . . 4-26 1-7
Pass defense int-yds brup qbh
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-0
. . . . 1 1 . . 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 4
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Fumbles rcv-yds
1-0 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-0 1-0
ff
blkd kick
saf
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .