CHARLESTON, Ill. – Showing it's never too early for the preseason hype, collegiate football magazines started to hit the shelves this week with Eastern Illinois receiving one high national ranking while senior running back Mon Williams was listed as the Ohio Valley Conference player to watch in another publication.

The Panthers were tabbed 11th in the FCS preseason poll released by Lindy's football magazine. EIU was the only OVC team to be ranked in the publications preseason poll. EIU was predicted to win the OVC title by the magazine followed by Jacksonville State and Eastern Kentucky. Terrence Holt of Austin Peay was the OVC preseason offensive player of the year while Josh Bey of UT Martin was the OVC preseason defensive player of the year.

In the Sporting News magazine EIU was picked to finish second in the OVC race behind Eastern Kentucky. Jacksonville State was selected to finish third. The Colonels were the lone OVC team to receive consideration in the Sporting News Top 25 landing at No. 19. EIU running back Mon Williams was the magazine's OVC offensive player of the year with T.J. Heath of Jacksonville State named the preseason top defensive player. Running back Kevin Whaley, a transfer from Minnesota, now at UT Martin was picked to be the OVC top newcomer.

Eastern Illinois opens the 2010 season on Sept. 4 at Iowa. The Panthers home opener is Sept. 11 against Central Arkansas. Season tickets are now on sale by calling (217) 581-2106 or returning a ticket brochure available at area business or online at www.eiupanthers.com EIU finished the 2009 season with an 8-4 record winning the OVC regular-season championship. The Panthers ended the season ranked No. 15 by the FCS Coaches poll.