Eastern Illinois (3-2, 2-0) vs. Gardner-Webb (3-2, 1-0)
O'Brien Field (10,000)  •   Charleston, Ill.
October 11, 2025  •   2 pm   •   TV: ESPN+ 

GAME LINKS
EIU Complete Notes  |  GWU Notes  |  Listen Live  |  Live Stats  |  Watch ESPN+


NOTES TO KNOW
• Eastern Illinois won its second straight OVC-Big South game as the Panthers improved to 3-2 overall, 2-0 in the conference with last Saturday's 31-7 win over Tennessee State.   The 2-0 start to OVC-Big South play is the best conference start for the Panthers since the 2017 season when EIU opened conference play 4-0.  The Panthers now host Gardner-Webb as the Runnin' Bulldogs enter at 3-2 as well, 1-0 in the OVC-Big South after last Saturday's win over Charleston Southern.   The two schools were both picked to finish sixth in the OVC-Big South preseason football poll with GWU listed as also receiving votes in both FCS polls this week.

• Eastern Illinois defense and special teams came up big for the Panthers on Saturday in the win over Tennessee State as EIU won the turnover battle 3-0.   It was the most turnovers forced by the Panthers since Sept. 7 last year against Indiana State when EIU had four turnovers gained including a 60-yard fumble return for touchdown by Moses Alexander.   Against TSU EIU had two fumble recoveries by Dillon Conway and Saipeti Maiava Jr while Brandon Worsley had the Panthers first interception since Oct. 5, 2024 against Southeast Missouri.  The two fumbles were forced by Tienne Fridge and Christopher Sharp.  Sharp forced his on special teams for his second forced fumble this year ranking him fifth in the FCS this season.

• Eastern Illinois offense put up 31 points on Saturday against Tennessee State hitting the 31-point number for the second consecutive game.  It marked the first time since the 2022 season that EIU has scored 30 or more points in consecutive games as the Panthers offense is averaging 26 points per game this season which ranks third in the OVC-Big South.  During the 2022 season EIU ran off three straight 30-plus point performances against Murray State (W), Northwestern State (W) and Lindenwood (L in ot).

• Senior tight end Joe McNab made his first collegiate catch a memorable one as he hauled in a short touchdown pass in the final 30 seconds of the first half from Connor Wolf.  The touchdown put EIU up 17-0 at the break as they went on to win 31-7.  He had two additional catches later in the game finishing with 22 yards receiving.  McNab has played in 28 career games with four starts primarily as a blocking tight end and on special teams.  His EIU debut was in the final game of the 2022 season at No. 25 UT Martin as an offensive tackle.

• Eastern Illinois ran 75 plays on Saturday against Tennessee State as the Panthers possessed the ball for nearly 40 minutes (39:48) for the second time this season.   EIU currently ranks fifth in the FCS in time of possession at 33:52 minutes per game.  The Panthers had 52 run plays resulting in 171 yards on the ground.  EIU's season best rushing total was 336 yards on 62 carries in the opener vs Dayton (80 total offensive plays).