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Previous O'Brien Field 50 Year Sections
Post Season Games
Defensive Backs & Safeties
Offensive Linemen
Running Backs
Linebackers
Quarterbacks & Tight Ends
Specialists

This year marks the 50th Anniversary for O'Brien Field as the Panthers began competition at the renovated complex for the 1970 season.

With no football on the docket for the fall of 2020, every Wednesday this fall we bring you some memorable moments, players and teams to cap the Golden Anniversary. 

The location for the current football and track field was in place prior to the 1970 season and referenced as Lincoln Field.  The current grandstand and press box were constructed for that year replacing smaller sideline bleachers converting the space into a true college football and track facility.

The first football game played at the newly dubbed location was on Sept. 12, 1970 with a 28-18 loss to regional rival Indiana State.  The Panthers would get their first win the following week with a 19-14 win over Milwaukee on Sept. 19.
 
This week we take a look at some of the great sack chasers and run stoppers that played for the Panthers at O'Brien Field.  The Panthers have had two defensive linemen win Conference Player of the Year and two reach the NFL.
 
EIU has had five players earn first team All-America honors on special teams during the Panthers time at O'Brien Field. 
 
Pete Catan… Catan was a three-time All-America selection earning honorable mention honors in 1978 before collecting first team accolades in 1979 and 1980.  Catan set the school record for sacks and tackles for loss during his days as a Panther.  He played professionally in both the Canadian Football League and USFL earning All-League honors in both.
 
Chris Nicholson… Nicholson was a first team All-American selection during the 1983 season.  Nicholson was second on the team with 92 tackles making nine tackles for loss with eight sacks and four fumble recoveries.
 
John Jurkovic… Jurkovic was a three-time All-America selection earning honorable mention selection in 1986 before adding first team honors in 1988 and 1989.  He was named the Gateway Conference Defensive Player of the Year in both 1988 and 1989.  Jurkovic would sign as a free agent with the Miami Dolphins in 1990 and played ten seasons in the NFL.

Dan Dee... Dee earned first team All-American honors in 1992 as he ranked second on the Panthers team that season with 108 tackles.  He added 15 tackles for loss and five sacks during the year.
 
Dino Fanti... Fanti earned first team All-American honors in 2015 as he helped lead EIU to the FCS playoffs.  Fanti was named the OVC Defensive Player of the Year as he set both the single season and career record for tackles for loss that year.  Fanti had 22 tackles for loss during the 2015 season.
 
 
EIU has had five other defensive lineman players sign free agent contracts with NFL teams.

John Moyer… Moyer signed a free agent contract with the Indianapolis Colts in 1997 but did not appear in any NFL games.  Moyer had a long, successful career playing in the Arena Football League earning All-League honors multiple times and once being named the Lineman of the Year.
 
Dave Thomas… Thomas signed a free agent contract with the Arizona Cardinals in 2000 but did not appear in any NFL games.  Thomas would later appear in both the Canadian Football League and Arena Football League moving to the linebacker position.
 
Kory Lothe… Lothe signed a free agent contract with the St. Louis Rams in 2006 but did not appear in any NFL games.  Lothe had 193 career tackles with 36.5 career tackles for loss at EIU.
 
Pierre Walters… Walters was a two-time All-American earning third team honors in 2007 and second team honors in 2008.  He would sign as a free agent with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2009 and played parts of three seasons in the NFL moving to the outside linebacker position.
 
Roosevelt Holliday… Holliday signed a free agent contract with the New York Jets in 2013 but did not appear in any NFL games.  Holliday had 144 career tackles with 18.5 career tackles for loss at EIU.
   

The following eight EIU defensive linemen earned other All-American honors for the Panthers.

Alex Russell… Russell earned honorable mention All-American honors in 1974
Randy Melvin… Melvin earned honorable mention All-American honors in 1979 and second team honors in 1980.
Keith Wojnowski… Wojnowski earned honorable mention All-American honors in 1981 and 1982
Greg Duncan… Duncan earned second team All-American honors in 1982.
Tom Moskal… Moskal earned honorable mention All-American honors in 1985.
Jeff Rolson… Rolson earned honorable mention All-American honors in 1988
Kent McIntyre… McIntyre earned second team All-American honors in 1990.
Marcus Lorick… Lorick earned second team All-American honors in 2004.