BRENTWOOD, Tenn. – Eastern Illinois senior defensive back Rashad Haynes was named the Ohio Valley Conference Special Teams Player of the Week following his punt return efforts on Saturday night against Tennessee Tech. Haynes returned only two punts for 51 yards but his first effort of the night was a 46-yard return for a touchdown that gave EIU an early 7-0 lead. Haynes became the first EIU player since Oct. 30, 2004 to return a punt for a touchdown. The last was Jermaine Mobley against Tennessee State. Haynes finished the contest with five tackles and one pass break-up as he shut down the league's top receiver Tim Benford. Haynes has 32 tackles and two pass break-ups this season.

The Panthers will return to action this Saturday when they host Murray State for the 93rd EIU homecoming contest at O'Brien Field. Kick off is 1:30 p.m. and tickets are available at 217-581-2106 or online at www.eiupanthertickets.com