CLEVELAND, Ohio – Eastern Illinois football has landed itself nationally ranked by yet another preseason publication as the Panthers were tabbed 15th by Phil Steele's 2007 Preview publication.

 

The magazine offers an in-depth section on NCAA FCS football and is paired with the Phil Steele's Pac-10 and Western Athletic Conference preview.  The magazine is produced to cover regions of the country so may not be available in most area markets.

 

The preseason rankings selected the defending Ohio Valley Conference Panthers 15th while three other OVC contenders also landed in the Top 30.  Jacksonville State was selected 22nd while Tennessee Martin came in at 27th and Eastern Kentucky was 30th.  Those four teams also landed in that order in the magazine's predicted order of finish for the OVC.

 

No surprise that two-time defending national champion Appalachian State was picked No. 1.  Montana was second followed by North Dakota State, New Hampshire and Massachusetts.  Illinois State, which will visit O'Brien Stadium on September 15, was a preseason No. 12.

 

Phil Steele's also selects a first and second preseason All-OVC team.  Senior linebacker Donald Thomas was again the preseason OVC Defender of the Year while Tennessee Martin's Donald Chapman took home preseason Offensive accolades.

 

Joining Thomas on the preseason first team from Eastern Illinois were senior wide receiver Micah Rucker, senior offensive tackle Anthony Rubican, junior defensive end Pierre Walters and junior safety Seymour Loftman.

 

The preseason second team included senior quarterback Cole Stinson and senior defensive end Michael Torres.

 

EIU opens defense of its Ohio Valley Conference crown on Thursday, August 30 when the Panthers host Tennessee Tech at O'Brien Stadium.

More Information: Contact Rich Moser (Sports Information Director)