Eastern Illinois vs. No. 14 Illinois State
O'Brien Field (10,000) • Charleston, Ill.
September 16, 2017 • 2 p.m. • TV: OVC Digital Network
EIU Game Notes |
ISU Game Notes |
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Live Stats |
Watch Live - OVC Digital Network |
NOTES TO KNOW
• Eastern Illinois dropped to 1-1 on the season following a 38-10 loss at FBS member Northern Illinois. Illinois State enters the game following a bye week after beating Butler 45-0 in week one. With a win EIU would open the season at 2-1 for the second straight year. Last season EIU beat FBS member Miami (Ohio) in week two and No. 5 ranked Illinois State in week three.
• Eastern Illinois defense had one interception and two fumble recoveries on Saturday at Northern Illinois giving the Panthers five turnovers gained this season. EIU currently ranks 15th in the nation and 2nd in the Ohio Valley Conference in turnovers gained this year. In 2015 EIU ranked third in the nation with 31 turnovers gained. Last season EIU was 60th in the NCAA forcing 18 turnovers.
• Eastern Illinois had two blocked field goals in the game at Northern Illinois with
David Johnson and
Levi Watson both coming away with the blocks. It was the first blocked field goal by EIU since Pat Wertz blocked a field goal against Jacksonville State on Oct. 13, 2012. The last time EIU blocked two fields goals in a game was Nov. 11, 2000 when Kourtney Young had two blocked fields and one blocked punt in a 44-41 overtime loss to Illinois State.
• Eastern Illinois is 6-4 during its last ten home openers at O'Brien Field as the Panthers host Illinois State for the home opener in week three. EIU has lost its last three home openers at O'Brien Field including a 34-31 overtime loss to Illinois State in 2015.
THE SERIES
• This will be the 106th playing of the Mid-America Classic with Illinois State holding a 54-42-9 all-time series lead. Each school has won on the road in the last two games with EIU winning 24-21 in Normal last season after ISU won 34-31 in overtime in 2015 in Charleston. The rivalry is the 14th oldest in the FCS and the oldest FCS rivalry in the state of Illinois. The two schools began playing for a traveling trophy at the 100th meeting in 2012, that game was won by Eastern Illinois.
