GAME NOTES  |  Tennessee Tech Website

Eastern Illinois (4-7, 2-5 OVC)
at Tennessee Tech (3-8, 1-6 OVC)
Tucker Stadium (16,500) • Cookeville, Tenn.
November 22, 2008 • 1:30 p.m. • TV: None

THE GAME
Eastern Illinois closes out the 2008 season on the road as the Panthers travel to Tennessee Tech. In a season that started with NCAA FCS playoff aspirations, the Panthers now close out the year looking to build for next season. EIU will lose 19 players who have exhausted their eligibility and will focus on recruiting in several key positions during the off season. EIU has won its final regular-season game of the season four straight years and looks to extend that streak. 

The Panthers enter 4-7 overall, 2-5 in the OVC. EIU dropped its final home contest to Austin Peay losing on senior for the first time since 2004. EIU will look to win the season finale and use that as a catalyst much like they did with the final game in 2004, a win over Samford that led to a run of 15 straight OVC wins. 

Tennessee Tech enters with a 3-8 record, 1-6 in the OVC. The Golden Eagles most refocus on the 2008 season after having an open date prior to hosting EIU. TTU has only eight players listed as seniors as they will be playing their final home game.

EASTERN ILLINOIS - TENNESSEE TECH SERIES
This is the 15th meeting between Eastern Illinois and Tennessee Tech. The Panthers have dominated the series with a 10-2 series lead as members of the Ohio Valley Conference. EIU also holds a 10-4 lead with the two schools playing a home-and-home series in the mid-1970's. EIU has won three straight with the last Tennessee Tech win coming in 2004 with a 40-37 overtime win at Tucker Stadium. The only other win by the Golden Eagles in the series was in 1999 with a 14-7 win in Charleston. EIU won last year's season opener over TTU by a score of 45-24.