Eastern Illinois (1-4, 1-0 OVC) at No. 16 Eastern Kentucky (5-0, 2-0 OVC)
Saturday, October 11 at 5 p.m. (Central)
Roy Kidd Stadium (20,000) – Richmond, Ky.TV: OVC Digital Network (online)
Radio: Panther Radio Network – WEIU 88.9 FM (Charleston), WHOW 1520 AM / 92.3 FM (Clinton), WSVZ 98.3 FM (Shelbyville/Effingham) and WMKR 94.3 FM (Taylorville)
Eastern Illinois Notes |
Eastern Kentucky Notes |
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Watch Live - OVC Digital Network |
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5 Things To Watch EIU vs. Eastern Kentucky 1.) Eastern Illinois has won 13 consecutive Ohio Valley Conference games dating back to the 2012 season. That streak is currently the second longest in the FCS behind North Dakota State with 14 straight conference wins. EIU's has two previous 13 game OVC win streaks from 2000-02 and 2004-06. Eastern Kentucky has won five straight games to open the season and is currently one of seven undefeated FCS teams.
2.) Eastern Illinois and Eastern Kentucky both feature a transfer from the University of Kentucky as a key component in their offense this season. EIU has quarterback
Jalen Whitlow with 1,188 yards of total offense. Whitlow has four rushing touchdowns and three passing touchdowns. EKU has running back Dy'Shawn Mobley who ranks 27th in the nation in rushing yards with 530.
3.) Eastern Illinois is 8-26 all-time when playing a ranked FCS opponent when the Panthers themselves are not ranked. The last win for EIU over a ranked team when the Panthers were not ranked was Oct. 27, 2012, a 24-7 win at No. 18 Eastern Kentucky. Included in those eight wins are a win over No. 1 Northern Iowa during the 1992 season.
4.) Eastern Illinois has out-gained each of its opponents in the opening five games of the season as the Panthers ranked 19th in the nation in total offense. The Panthers will be playing an Eastern Kentucky team that picked up a shutout against Austin Peay this past weekend and ranks third in the nation in scoring defense allowing just 11.4 points per game.
5.) Eastern Illinois should regain the services of running back
Shepard Little. Little has missed the last two games and most of the Illinois State contest with an injury. A preseason Walter Payton Award candidate, Little was taken off the revised Payton list on Oct. 1 as he has rushed for just over 100 yards in two games against Minnesota and Southern Illinois. Little rushed for 1,551 yards last season and was a preseason All-OVC selection at both running back and return specialist.
