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Eastern Illinois (1-5, 1-0 OVC) vs. No. 17/16 UT Martin (4-1, 1-0 OVC)
O'Brien Field (10,000)  •   Charleston, Ill.
Oct. 16, 2021   •  2 p.m.   •   TV: ESPN3

EIU Game Notes  |  Listen Live  |  Live Stats  |  Watch on ESPN3 

NOTES TO KNOW
• Eastern Illinois and UT Martin will meet on Saturday afternoon with the winner emerging as the lone undefeated team in the Ohio Valley Conference.   The Panthers are 1-5 overall, but 1-0 in the OVC following a conference opening win at Tennessee Tech on Sept. 25.  EIU is coming off a bye week in the schedule after playing a non-conference game at Murray State.   UT Martin won its OVC opener last weekend with a home win over Murray State as the Skyhawks improved to 4-1 overall, 1-0 in the OVC.  

• Russell Dandy was named the Ohio Valley Conference Defensive Player and Newcomer of the Week following the Panthers last contest on Oct. 2 at Murray State.  Dandy had seven solo tackles in the game with a pair of interceptions.  He single-handedly forced all three turnovers for EIU's defense adding a tackle for loss with a forced and recovered fumble.  Dandy is 31st in the FCS in interceptions this season.  The last EIU player with multiple interceptions in a game was JJ Ross with a pair of picks at Austin Peay on Nov. 22, 2019.

• Jason Johnson turned in his second straight big tackle performance finishing with 12 tackles at Murray State.  Johnson now leads the OVC in tackles with 57 including 33 solo tackles and five tackles for loss.  His season high was a 16-tackle performance in the road win at Tennessee Tech.  Johnson currently ranks 23rd in the FCS in total tackles.  He is on pace to finish the season with more than 100 tackles, the last EIU player with 100 or more tackles in a season was Seth McDonald with 109 in 2015.

• Arron Foulkes hauled in seven passes for 132 yards in the Panthers last game at Murray State.  The day included a 54-yard touchdown reception from Chris Katrenick early in the fourth quarter.  Foulkes is currently second on the EIU team with 12 receptions but leads the Panthers with 214 receiving yards.  His 17.8 yards per reception ranks third in the OVC and 33rd in the FCS this season.  Foulkes is the third EIU wide receiver to post a 100-yard receiving day this season joining Tyler Ringwood (5 catches, 116 yards at Indiana State) and DeAirious Smith (6 catches, 109 yards, 2 touchdowns at Tennessee Tech).