GAME DAY COVERAGE LINKS
EIU Game Notes  |  UT Martin Notes  |  Listen Live  |  Live Stats  |  Watch on ESPN+  |  Purchase Tickets

NOTES TO KNOW
• Eastern Illinois football is off to its best start since the 2013 season as the Panthers improved to 4-1 with a road win at Northwestern State.  It marked the third straight win for EIU, something that had not happened since the 2016 season.  Also not happening since late in the 2016 season was Eastern Illinois appearing in the national rankings, but that changed this week with the Panthers landing at No.25 in the FCS Coaches poll.   It marks the 26th different season that EIU has been ranked in the national polls for at least one week. 

• Eastern Illinois will be playing its 179th game as a nationally ranked team at the FCS level when the Panthers host UT Martin for homecoming on Saturday.  It will mark the second time that the Panthers and Skyhawks have played when both teams have been nationally ranked.  The previous time was in 2006 with UTM winning 15-9 in Martin, Tenn.  The two teams would end the season splitting the OVC regular-season title with both advancing to the FCS playoffs.

• Safety Blake Ruffin played a big part in Eastern Illinois road win at Northwestern State on Saturday night.  On Monday he was named the Big South-OVC Football co-Defensive Player of the Week along with Monroe Beard III of Tennessee State.   Ruffin finished the game with 13 tackles as he now ranks second on the Panthers team with 34 stops this season. His interception in the fourth quarter set up a field goal midway through the period that gave EIU a two score lead in the contest.  It was his second interception this year as he ranks 25th in the FCS in interceptions this year.

• Running back MJ Flowers had his second consecutive start for the Panthers offense as he finished with 64 all-purpose yards in the road win at Northwestern State.  On Monday Flowers was named the Big South-OVC Freshman of the Week for the third consecutive week.   Flowers currently leads the Panthers with 344 rushing yards which ranks 41st in the FCS but is second among freshmen in the FCS trailing only Jared White of Montana State with 351 yards.  Flowers has also been a versatile weapon catching the ball out of the backfield with 17 receptions for 80 yards.

• Justin Bowick was a big weapon for the Panthers passing game at Northwestern State as the sophomore wide receiver hauled in four passes for 130 yards including a 52-yard touchdown reception. It was his second touchdown reception of the season as Bowick has 16 catches for a team-high 258 yards this season.  It was his second career 100-yard receiving day with his breakout performance coming last season at UT Martin with six catches for 177 yards and two touchdowns.

PARKING:  Lots open four (4) hours prior to start of any scheduled game (i.e. 10 am for 2 pm game)… Panther Club members may park in the Gray (West Stadium) or Blue (J-Lot) with a valid Panther Club parking pass for the 2023 season.  The remaining J-Lot in front of the Student-Rec Center is a paid lot this year at $10 per game.  Additional parking is available in the student/general grass lot southwest of the stadium (entry through facilities on Grant Street) or the Lantz Arena lot.  Students may park free in the grass lot with a valid 2023-24 student parking pass.  Student tailgate may also take place in the grass area just west of the stadium (between West Stadium Lot and Facilities – enter from Grant Street).    The south side of Lantz Arena is a credentialed lot for the game, media, EIU football players/staff, visiting team buses and officials will be the only vehicles allowed to park on the South Side of Lantz this season.  For information on Panther Club Parking please contact the EIU Panther Club at 217-581-6014.
 
TENT CITY: Tent City will once again be open during the 2023 season and can be purchased until the day before the game online at www.eiupanthers.com/FBTickets    Tailgate squares may not be purchased on the day of the game.   Tent City will open four hours prior to kickoff when tailgate opens.  Please note that tailgate squares may sell out for select games.
 
TICKET SALES: Ticket windows and will call will open 90 prior to kickoff in the O'Brien Field ticket window.   Ticket Gates will also open 90 minutes prior to kickoff

TAILGATING:  Tailgating can be a means to renew acquaintances and build camaraderie among Eastern Illinois alumni, students and fans.  We need your cooperation in emphasizing responsible tailgating so the well-being of all who attend Panther home football games can be maintained.  For your safety and for safety of others, Eastern Illinois Department of Athletics requires compliance with the criteria in the "Procedures" provided.
 * Failure to meet any of the conditions as presented in the "Procedures" may lead to sanctions including, but not limited to:
1) Temporary or permanent loss of future tailgating privileges.
2) Immediate closure of tent activity or tailgate area by authorized University personnel and/or
3) Prosecution for violation of state laws/local ordinances relating to alcohol and/or safety.
 *  University Police Department shall be allowed to conduct periodic checks for liquor compliance if deemed necessary.

Tailgate Area
To ensure the safety of alumni, students and fans, the following procedures must be adhered to in the tailgate area which is designated by the white cyclone fencing.

1)  Tailgating starts four hours prior to game time.
2) Vehicles within the fenced area at kickoff must remain until the end of the third quarter.  
3)  No kegs.  Coolers only.
4) No glass containers allowed, cans only.
5)  No large receptacles that will hold multiple individual servings allowed.
6) Must be 21 years of age to consume alcohol.


NON-APPROVED PROMOTION IS PROHIBITED & ENFORCED ON SITE
Promotion of a business, individual or organization (excluding registered student organizations and departments on the EIU campus) is not permitted on the grounds of Eastern Illinois University. Promotion is defined as and not limited to: signage, banners, displays, grills, vehicles, tent design and color, branding, flags and distribution of materials and items. Anything with a company/business name, promoted individual name or organization name is deemed promotion. The above items are prohibited and are enforced on site for those that have purchased, visiting, borrowing or given tailgate spots.