Eastern Illinois at No. 19 Illinois State
Hancock Stadium (13,391)   •   Normal, Ill.
September 8, 2018   •  6:30 p.m.   •   TV: NBC Sports Chicago Plus

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NOTES TO KNOW
• Eastern Illinois and Illinois State will be meeting for the 107th time on Saturday in the Mid-America Classic.  The rivalry game is the oldest FCS rivalry in the State of Illinois and the 14th oldest FCS rivalry game in the nation.  The road team has won the last three games in the series after the home team had won six straight in the series.  This year's game has been designated a Bicentennial Event as part of the State of Illinois celebration.

• Alexander Hollins was named the Ohio Valley Conference Offensive Player of the Week after scoring all three of the Panthers touchdowns in the season opening loss at SEC member Arkansas.  Hollins posted career highs of nine catches and 127 yards while hauling in three touchdowns in a game for the second time in his EIU career.

• Eastern Illinois played both quarterbacks as expected in the season opener at Arkansas.  Tulane transfer Johnathan Brantley was the starter in the game that saw him pass for 134 yards and one touchdown going 18-of-25.  He also rushed for 13 yards.  Harry Woodbery threw for 96 yards and two touchdowns going 9-of-15.  Both quarterbacks will again split time on the field in the Mid-America Classic.

• Eastern Illinois faced an FBS team for the 41st time to open the 2018 season as the Panthers lost to Arkansas 55-20.  EIU is now 6-35 all-time against FBS opponents including an 0-13 record against teams from Power 5 Conferences.  EIU will play Power 5 members Indiana (2019) and Kentucky (2020) during the next two seasons.
 
THE SERIES
• Eastern Illinois and Illinois State will be playing for the 107th time as the two schools meet for the Mid-America Classic.  The rivalry, which is the oldest FCS rivalry in the State of Illinois and 14th oldest in FCS football, dates back to the 1901 season.  Illinois State holds a 55-42-9 all-time series lead with the road team winning the last three meetings in the series.  The Redbirds have won three of the last four games in the series.  EIU's last win was two years ago as they held on for a 24-21 win over then 5th ranked Illinois State.   This will mark the seventh straight year that at least one of the two teams has been nationally ranked when they meet on the gridiron.  The two schools began playing for a traveling trophy with the 100th meeting in 2011.    Illinois State has a 4-3 lead in the series in traveling trophy games.