Eastern Illinois football opened spring practice on Tuesday afternoon with winter weather conditions still hanging around the Central Illinois campus. Tuesday was the first of 15 allotted spring practices that are scheduled to culminate with the annual Blue-White Spring Game on Saturday, April 21 at O'Brien Field.
This spring the Panthers will be implementing a new offensive system as EIU hired offensive coordinator
Scott Parr during the winter. Parr will bring the "Air Raid" offensive system to the Panthers which will include four current quarterbacks learning the new system in hopes of earning the starting nod.
"We are excited to get out and start practicing. Most people are aware that we are putting in a new offensive scheme, so a large part of the spring will be getting players comfortable with that new system and having guys battle for positions," said head coach
Kim Dameron. "We had a good off-season program and now it will be good to see guys out here on the field competing."
EIU returns six starters on each side of the ball from a team that went 6-5 last season to post the program's third straight winning season. On the offensive side of the ball EIU returns second team All-OVC running back
Isaiah Johnson and All-OVC Newcomer wide receiver
Alexander Hollins. Defensively,
Mark Williams was one of the top freshman in the nation as the defensive back was a candidate for the Jerry Rice Award, presented annually to the top FCS Freshman player.
EIU opens the 2018 season on Sept. 1 at Arkansas. EIU's home opener this season will be on Sept. 15 against regional rival Indiana State. Season ticket renewals are set to take place in early May.
