McLEAN, Va. – Eastern Illinois football has been ranked No. 4 in the FCS preseason poll published by USA Today Sports as preseason publications hit the newsstand and internet during the summer. 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 two Ohio Valley Conference teams ranked in the preseason Top 10 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.
USA Today Sports listed three-time defending FCS National Champion North Dakota State as its preseason No. 1. Towson last year's national runner-up was second followed by Eastern Washington and Eastern Illinois. New Hampshire was ranked fifth with Southeastern Louisiana, Coastal Carolina, Montana, Fordham and OVC member Jacksonville State completing the top ten.
EIU will face Jacksonville State (Nov. 15) on the road in the second to final week of the regular season with the game being telecast on ESPN3 as part of the Ohio Valley Conference Game of the Week package. Season tickets are now on sale by calling 217-581-2106 or online at www.eiupanthertickets.com
The Ohio Valley Conference will host its annual media day in Nashville on Monday, July 21. Excitement surrounds the league after sending three teams to the FCS playoffs last season with Eastern Illinois and Jacksonville State both advancing to the quarterfinal round. EIU, JSU and Tennessee State have been ranked in the preseason top 25 in most publications this summer.
The Sports Network FCS Top 25 and FCS Coaches Top 25 polls, the official ranks for FCS football, will be released in August.
