Tweet #W1NasONE

Previous O'Brien Field 50 Year Sections
Post Season Games
Standout Secondary Players
Offensive Linemen

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 Panthers that carried the ball for the Panthers during their days at O'Brien Field.  The list includes four first-team All-Americans and one OVC Conference Offensive Player of the Year.
 
EIU has had four players earn first team All-America honors as running backs during the Panthers time at O'Brien Field.
 
Nate Anderson… Anderson was the Panthers first big time running back to grace O'Brien Field.  Anderson earned first team All-America honors in 1972 becoming the first EIU player to earn first team honors at the NCAA level.  He rushed for 1,255 yards during the 1972 campaign before rushing for 1,261 yards in 1973 to earn third team All-American honors.  Anderson was selected by the Washington Redskins in the 16th round of the 1974 NFL Draft.  Anderson holds two of the top five single game rushing totals in school history.
 
Poke Cobb… Cobb rushed the Panthers to a 1978 NCAA Division II National Championship as he earned second team All-American honors that season with 1,330 yards.  He would come back as a senior in 1979 and rush for 1,609 yards during the year to earn first team All-American honors.  Cobb is the Panthers career leader in rushing yards with 5,042 yards which at the time of his graduation was the NCAA College Division record for rushing yards.  He would play football with the Toronto Argonauts in the Canadian Football League.
 
Willie High… High was a consistent threat out of the Panthers backfield during his career rushing for over 1,000 yards in three straight seasons.  He earned first team All-America honors in 1995 as he rushed for 1,450 yards leading EIU to the NCAA FCS playoffs.  High would finish the season 15th in voting for the Walter Payton Award and currently ranks third on the EIU career rushing list with 4,231 yards.
 
J.R. Taylor… Taylor was a touchdown scoring machine for the Panthers during his career in the Panthers backfield.  He earned first team All-America honors in 2002 as he posted his second straight 1,000 yard rushing season finishing with 1,522 yards.  Taylor holds the EIU single game rushing record with 308 yards against Florida Atlantic.  He would sign a free agent contract with the Green Bay Packers after helping lead EIU to three straight FCS playoff appearances from 2000-02.
 
 
EIU has had one additional player earn Conference Player of the Year honors at the running back position.

Vincent Webb… Webb was the Panthers leading ball carrier all four seasons of his career helping lead EIU to back-to-back Ohio Valley Conference titles in 2005 and 2006.  In 2006 he would earn OVC Offensive Player of the Year honors as he rushed for 1,405 yards, his third straight 1,000 yard rushing season.  Webb finished his career second on the EIU rushing charts with 4,233 yards.

EIU has had four other running backs earn All-American honors or go on to professional careers.

Kevin Staple… Staple was the key running back for the Panthers offense in the early 1980's earning honorable mention All-America honors in 1983.  Staple finished his career with 3,296 rushing yards which ranks sixth on the Panthers career list.  Staple is second in single game rushing yards with 283 against Grand Valley State.  He helped lead EIU to back-to-back FCS playoff appearances in 1982 and 1983.
 
DuWayne Pitts… Pitts earned All-America honors in 1987 for EIU.  He ended his career ranked ninth on the EIU rushing charts with 2,690 yards.  Pitts was a versatile back for the Panthers offense leading the team in pass receptions in 1985 and ending his career with 148 career receptions.  He was part of the Panthers 1985 NCAA FCS playoff quarterfinal team.
 
 
Andre Raymond… Raymond was a versatile back for the Panthers earning honorable mention All-American honors in 2002 joining first team All-America selections Tony Romo (QB) and J.R. Taylor in the backfield.  Raymond finished his EIU career with 2,323 rushing yards. 
 
Chris Szarka… Playing a fullback, Szarka led the Panthers in pass receptions during the 1996 season.  That uniqueness to the position helped translate into professional opportunities for Szarka as he was selected in the second round of the 1997 Canadian Football League Draft.  He would go on to play 14 years in the league winning the Grey Cup in 2007.   
 

**** #EIUFANDEMIC (Sept. 28 – Oct. 3, 2020) – The Eastern Illinois Panther Club virtual event supporting EIU student-athletes. Text 76278 to 'EIUFANDEMIC' & register today.  Visit www.eiufandemic.givesmart.com and take a look at the premiere live experiences from the Cards, Bears, Saints, and over 100 must-have items. Bidding begins 9.28.20.