Eastern Illinois football opens the 2024 season on August 29 at Illinois, the first of two games this season against Big Ten Conference schools.
The Panthers enter the 2024 season and special teams will again play a key role in the Panthers overall success this season.
EIU returns veteran players in the key roles of punter, holder, long snapper and both returners. The question mark will be which player can step up and win the kicking position.
"This group of specialists is a lot of fun to work with. They take pride in their craft and love what they do," said special teams coordinator
Andrew Brady. "My job is to make sure they're confident when they take the field to do their job at a high level. The group as a whole has had a great camp so far, and I could not be more excited to watch them take the next step this season."
The group of returning players includes three that were listed as preseason players to watch in the Big South/OVC for their position group. The three listed players include
Jacob Horvath (punter),
Jack Valente (long snapper) and
Mark Aitken (kick returner).
EIU also returns
Cooper Willman who was the Panthers holder and punt returner two years ago before missing most of last season due to injury.
Brett Galletti has been a solid back-up at long snapper and split time with Valente during part of the season with each specializing in short and long snap formations.
"
Jacob Horvath is a returning starter at punter for us. Jacob has grown and matured a lot since making the transition from Australia just over a year ago. I'm confident he's ready to take the next step this season.
Julian Patino is another returning starter at kicker for us. Julian is mature beyond his years and one of the leaders of the group. His addition to our program in the middle of the season last year is hard to understate. I'm excited to watch him take the next step this season as well," added Brady.
"
Jack Valente and
Brett Galletti both return with snapping experience for us. Both provide stability and consistency at a critical position. We added two freshmen kickers this season as well in
Drew Schiller and
Nico Carrier. Both have been great additions to the group and have had good camps so far. At returner, Mark "Deuce" Aitken returns with a lot of production as a kick returner for us as well as
Cooper Willman at the punt returner position. Possession and field position are critical in the game of football and both of those guys help us with that facet of the game," said Brady.
