Eastern Illinois football was picked to finish second in the Big South-OVC Football Association poll while quarterback
Pierce Holley was named the preseason offensive player of the year as the league held its 2024 football media day on Wednesday.
Â
The Panthers, who finished 8-3 last season, were picked to finish second in the preseason poll voted on the by the league's football head coaches.  UT Martin, last year's co-champion, was picked first with Southeast Missouri third behind EIU and Tennessee State in fourth.
Â
Pierce Holley, a second team All-Big South/OVC selection last season was named the league's preseason Offensive Player of the Year. Linebacker Bryce Norman of Southeast Missouri was the preseason Defensive Player of the Year.
Â
Last season Holley passed for 2,741 yards which ranked 15th in the FCS for regular season contests. He added 17 touchdowns through the air while rushing for four touchdowns.
Â
Earlier this week the Big South/OVC released its list of players to watch at each position group with eleven EIU players recognized.
Â
EIU opens the regular season on August 29 at Illinois with the home opener at O'Brien Field on Saturday, Sept. 7 against Indiana State. Season ticket renewals and sales are now underway online at
www.eiupanthers.com/fbtickets or by calling the EIU ticket office at 217-581-2106 (Monday – Thursday 9 am to 11:30 am).
Â
2024 BIG SOUTH-OVC PREDICTED ORDER OF FINISH
1 – UT Martin
2 – EASTERN ILLINOIS
3 – Southeast Missouri
4 – Tennessee State
5 – Gardner-Webb
6 – Charleston Southern
7 – Tennessee Tech
8 – Lindenwood
9 – Western Illinois
(first place votes in parenthesis)
Â
Pierce Holley, QB, Eastern Illinois – Preseason Offensive Player of the Year
Bryce Norman, LB, Southeast Missouri – Preseason Defensive Player of the Year
Â
EIU Players to Watch On Preseason List
QB –
Pierce Holley
RB –
MJ Flowers
WR –
Eli Mirza
TE –
Anthony Manaves
OL –
Sebastian Pares
DL – Joel Barrow
LB –
Elijawah Tolbert
DB –
Kaleb Lyons
P –
Jacob Horvath
LS –
Jack Valente
KR –
Mark Aitken
