Eastern Illinois football will open the 2024 season on Thursday, August 29 at Illinois. The Panthers, coming off an 8-3 season last year, continue to receive preseason praise as they were ranked No. 22 in the Lindy's Football preseason poll.
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The Panthers ended last season ranked No. 24 in the final FCS Coaches poll.  EIU was previously listed as No. 25 in the Hero Sports FCS Preseason Top 25 ranking.
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In addition to the national rankings, Lindy's also released its preseason All-American list along with predicted order of finish for each conference.
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Sophomore running back
MJ Flowers was named a second team preseason All-American. Last season he was the Big South/OVC Freshman of the Year and finished second in voting for the Jerry Rice Award.
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In the preseason conference poll, Gardner-Webb was selected to finish first followed by Eastern Illinois, UT Martin and Southeast Missouri.Â
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Defending national South Dakota State was the preseason No. 1 followed by North Dakota State, Montana State, Villanova and South Dakota in the top five. The remainder of the preseason Top 25 included Montana, Furman, Southern Illinois, Delaware, North Dakota, Richmond, Chattanooga,  UAlbany, Lafayette, Idaho, Youngstown State, Sacramento State, Incarnate Word, Gardner-Webb, Florida A&M, Central Arkansas. Eastern Illinois, Western Carolina, Austin Peay and Mercer
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Season ticket sales and renewals for the 2024 EIU football season are now underway online at Â
www.eiupanthers.com/fbtickets  or by calling 217-581-2106 (Monday – Thursday / 9 am to 11:30 am)
