Seven Eastern Illinois players have been selected to College Sports Madness preseason All-Ohio Valley Conference football teams including three players on the first team.  The OVC will hold its annual media day on Monday, July 23 in Nashville revealing its preseason All-Conference team and predicted order of finish. 

Sam Hendricks, Scott Weatherford and Chris Wright were selected on the preseason All-OVC first team.  Artavious Dowdell, Nick Beard and Antonio Taylor were selected to the preseason second team.  Jake Walker was named to the third team.  (Antonio Taylor was omitted from the original release).

EIU opens the season on Thursday, August 30 hosting in-state rival Southern Illinois.  Kick off is 6:30 p.m. at O'Brien Field.  Season tickets are now on sale by calling 217-581-5106 or online at www.eiupanthertickets.com

Hendricks was a first team selection at tight end.  The sophomore played in all 11 games last year hauling in 17 passes for 194 yards.  He was second on the team in touchdown receptions with three.

Weatherford was a first team selection at punter.  Last year he took over the punting duties averaging 37.6 yards per punt.  He pinned 25 percent of his attempts (12-of-48) inside the 20-yard line with three punts of 50-yards or more.

Wright was the Panthers top receiver last season earning a first team nod at that position.  He had 42 catches for 735 yards including 11 touchdowns.  Wright was OVC leader in touchdown receptions as his total ranked fifth on the EIU single season list.

Dowdell was a second team selection at defensive end.  The senior led the Panthers in sacks for the second straight year with five. He ranked in the top five in the OVC for the second straight year.  He finished the year with 45 tackles and seven quarterback hurries.

Beard was a second team selection at safety.  He was fourth on the EIU team with 69 tackles last year including one forced fumble.  Beard led the Panthers defensive unit with six pass break-ups.

Taylor was a second team selection at linebacker.  Last season he ranked second on the team with 92 tackles including five tackles for loss and one interception.  He is one of the top three tacklers returning to the OVC this season. 

Walker was a third team selection at running back.  Walker found his stride carrying the ball near the end of the season as he finished with 10 touchdowns and 580 yards rushing.  He closed the season rushing for more than 100 yards in two of the final three games.