Eastern Illinois at Indiana State
Memorial Stadium (12,764)  •   Terre Haute, Ind.
September 6, 2025  •   12 pm   •   TV: ESPN+ 

GAME LINKS
EIU Complete Game Notes  |  Indiana State Notes  |  Listen Live  |  Live Stats  |  Watch ESPN+

NOTES TO KNOW
• Eastern Illinois and Indiana State will both be looking to get off to a 2-0 start to the season when the programs meet on Saturday in Terre Haute.  It will be the first time since the 1984 season that both schools enter the game undefeated (that season EIU opened winning at Grand Valley State while ISU beat Wayne State - the two schools had met in the FCS playoffs to end EIU's 1983 season).  EIU beat Dayton 24-14 in its 2025 season opener while Indiana State beat McKendree 41-24.  EIU's last 2-0 start to a season was in 2013.  ISU's last 2-0 start to a season was in 1986.

• Quarterback Cole LaCrue made a memorable debut for the Panthers as the Wisconsin transfer rushed for 193 yards and three touchdowns leading EIU to a season opening win over Dayton.  The 193 yards on the ground set an EIU single season rushing record by a quarterback (previously set by Jalen Whitlow with 142 in 2015).  His rushing total is also the highest in Division I football (both FBS and FCS) as he was an honorable mention selection for FCS National Offensive Player of the Week honors.  LaCrue added 129 yards passing through the air going 9-of-17 with one interception.    It was the first collegiate start for LaCrue who redshirted the 2023 season at Wisconsin and did not see any playing time for the Badgers last fall.

• Transfer running back Charles Kellom rushed for 133 yards on 30 carries for the Panthers as Eastern Illinois churned out 336 total yards on the ground.  It was the second career 100-yard rushing game for the Akron transfer after he had 104 yards and a touchdown last season against Kent State.  Kellom is currently 16th in the FCS in rushing yards this season.

• Cole LaCrue and Charles Kellom both went over the 100-yard rushing mark in the season opening win over Dayton.  It marked the 24th time in school history the Panthers had two runners crack the century mark in the same game.   Their combined total of 326 yards is the sixth highest combined total in school history.   The last time EIU had two players both go over 100 yards rushing in the same game was Nov. 9, 2019 when Darshon McCullough and Jaelin Benefield both went over 100-yards at Tennessee State.

• Eastern Illinois opened the regular season at home for the first time since the 2016 season when the Panthers kicked off last Thursday night hosting Dayton.  EIU walked away with a 24-14 win over the Flyers marking the first time since the 2012 season that EIU had opened the regular season with a home win.  EIU beat Southern Illinois during the 2012 season going on to win the OVC and advance to the FCS playoffs.