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Eastern Illinois vs. Tennessee State
O'Brien Field (10,000)  •   Charleston, Ill.
November 11, 2023  •   12 p.m.   •   TV: ESPN+

GAME INFO
EIU Game Notes  |  TSU Game Notes  |  Listen Live  |  Live Stats  |  Watch on ESPN+

NOTES TO KNOW
• Eastern Illinois and Tennessee State meet on Saturday at O'Brien Field with both teams still eying a possible at-large bid to the FCS playoffs at the end of the month.  EIU clinched its first winning season since the 2017 campaign with a road win at Lindenwood last Saturday improving to 6-3 on the season, 2-2 in the Big South-OVC.  Tennessee State had its four-game win streak snapped with a road loss at Charleston Southern as the Tigers fell to 6-3 overall, 2-2 in the Big South-OVC.  Both teams enter the week receiving votes in the two major FCS Top 25 polls.

• Eastern Illinois defense came up with three turnovers gained on Saturday as the Panthers are once again tied for the national lead in takeaways this season with 23 (tied with Richmond).   EIU had three interceptions in the game marking the third time this season that they have three or more picks in a game with a season high of four in the opener at Indiana State.   The Panthers have been balanced in their types of turnovers with 13 interceptions and ten fumble recoveries.  It is the highest team turnovers gained total since the 2015 season when EIU ranked second in the nation with 31 turnovers gained.

• Blake Ruffin added his fourth interception of the season in the fourth quarter at Lindenwood as he has the most interceptions in a season since Jourdan Wickliffe had five picks during the 2015 season.  Ruffin leads the Big South-OVC in interceptions and is fourth in the FCS.   The sophomore safety has also been one of the Panthers top tacklers this year with 57 tackles which ranks second on the team.  39 of those 57 tackles have been solo stops which is sixth in the league.  Ruffin has tacked on four tackles for loss, one sack, three pass break-ups, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery to his season totals.

• Pierce Holley passed for more than 240 yards for the fifth consecutive game and the eighth time this season as the Panthers picked up a 16-10 road win at Lindenwood.   Holley was 18-of-34 for 245 yards including one touchdown pass.  The graduate transfer ranks 11th in the FCS in passing yards with 2,394 and needs 189 more this season to crack the EIU single season top ten.  He is 33rd in the FCS with 14 touchdown passes.  Including his two years as a starter at Georgetown, Holley has passed for 6,571 career yards (14th among active FCS QBs) and 35 career touchdowns. 

• Russell Dandy added two more pass break-ups to his season total as the fifth year player continues to be one of the top corners in the Big South-OVC this season.   Dandy now has 15 pass break-ups this season which ties him for second on the EIU single season record list, one behind record holder Ben Brown (2004).  With his one interception this season added in, Dandy currently ranks second in the FCS in passes defended.  A preseason All-Conference player, Dandy has 30 tackles this season with two fumble recoveries.


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.