GAME INFORMATION

Eastern Illinois (0-0, 0-0 OVC) 
vs. Illinois State (0-0, 0-0 MVFC)
O'Brien Field (10,000) • Charleston, Ill.
September 3, 2009 • 7 p.m. • TV: WEIU Channel 51

THE GAME
Eastern Illinois opens up its 109th year of football on Thursday, September 3 against long time rival Illinois State. This will be the 98th meeting in the series and first between EIU head coach Bob Spoo and one of his former assistants Brock Spack.
EIU is coming off a 5-7 season and has been picked to finish in third place in the OVC preseason football poll. The Panthers have been listed among those schools also receiving votes in both the Sports Network and FCS Coaches poll.
ISU is coming off a 3-8 season and is under the direction of new head coach Brock Spack. The Redbirds were picked to finish 8th in the Missouri Valley Football Conference. They are listed among those schools also receiving votes in the Sports Network poll.

THE SERIES
This is the 98th meeting in the Prairie State Rivalry between Eastern Illinois and Illinois State. The series began in 1901 and is the longest series in the state of Illinois. It is also one of the longest running series among FCS level schools. Illinois State holds a 50-38-9 advantage with the Panthers ending a five game losing streak last year with a 25-21 win in Normal. Illinois State has won the last four meetings at O'Brien Field including a 24-13 win in the 2006 NCAA FCS playoffs.

98TH PRAIRIE STATE RIVALRY GAME INFORMATION

Eastern Illinois Game Notes	Illinois State Game Notes
Eastern Illinois Roster	Illinois State Roster
Eastern Illinois 2-Deep	Illinois State 2-Deep
Radio: Hit Mix 88.9 FM
Eastern Illinois Live Stats
Live Video @ OVCSports.TV
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Ohio Valley Conference Notes