CHARLESTON, Ill. – Eastern Illinois football has been ranked No. 24 in the FCS preseason poll published by Athlon Sports Magazine as preseason publications hit the newsstand and internet during the month of June.  In addition senior guard Collin Seibert has been named a preseason first team All-American after earning All-American honors in 2013.  The Panthers open the 2014 season under first year head coach Kim Dameron on Aug. 28 at Minnesota with the game televised on the Big Ten Network.
 
The Panthers are one of three Ohio Valley Conference teams ranked in the preseason Top 25 by the publication as they look to replace the offensive production of quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo and wide receiver Erik Lora.  EIU returns 14 starters from last year's team that posted a 12-2 record and was ranked No. 4 in the final FCS polls after advancing to the FCS playoff quarterfinal round.  The offensive line will be bolstered by Seibert along with returning starters Nick Borre and Jimmy Lowery.  Seibert is a two-time first team All-OVC selection at left guard.  He earned first team All-American honors by Sports Network last season while being a nominee for the FCSADA Offensive Lineman of the Year Award.
 
Athlon's preseason No. 1 was Eastern Washington followed by three-time defending FCS National Champion North Dakota State.  Southeastern Louisiana was third with New Hampshire and Northern Iowa rounded out the top five.  OVC member Jacksonville State was sixth followed by Montana, Villanova, McNeese State, Towson, South Dakota State, Chattanooga, Fordham, Coastal Carolina and William & Mary in the top 15.  Montana State was 16th followed by OVC member Tennessee State, Richmond, Furman, Southern Illinois, Sam Houston State, James Madison, Delaware, Eastern Illinois and Youngstown State.
 
EIU will face three of the preseason Top 25 teams as part of its 2014 schedule with home games against Southern Illinois (Sept. 6) and Tennessee State (Oct. 25) along with a road game at Jacksonville State (Nov. 15) in the second to final week of the regular season.  Season tickets are now on sale by calling 217-581-2106 or online at www.eiupanthertickets.com
 
The Sports Network FCS Top 25 and FCS Top 25 polls, the official ranks for FCS football, will be released in August.