Eastern Illinois determined to hold the line against nation’s leading rusher in conference clash of ranked teams

EIU, under second-year head coach Chris Wilkerson, is ranked for the first time since the 2016 season. (Photo by EIUPanthers.com)

By Dan Verdun

Ranked for the first time in seven years, Eastern Illinois begins its Big South-Ohio Valley Alliance schedule with the challenge of a bonafide playoff contender.

The Panthers (4-1) hosts UT Martin (4-1, 1-0) in a matchup of teams ranked in the latest FCS polls.

After defeating Northwestern State (La.), 19-10, last Saturday, EIU landed in a tie with Rhode Island at No. 25 in the FCS Coaches Poll. It marks the first time since Nov. 2016 that the Panthers have been ranked.

UT Martin, meanwhile, shows up at No. 18 in the STATS Perform FCS Poll and No. 23 in the Coaches Poll. The Skyhawks are fresh off a 20-10 win over Tennessee State in league play.

UT Martin have ridden the legs of running back Sam Franklin, the leading FCS rusher with 653 yards.

“I know exactly who he is and he’s the best running back in all of FCS football,” EIU head coach Chris Wilkerson said. “He’s one of the top backs in the country, regardless of level. He’s strong. He’s athletic. He’s fast. If he finds an opening, he runs away from everybody.”

Franklin has rushed for more than 100 yards for four consecutive weeks. The redshirt sophomore is averaging 157.0 yards per game, tops in FCS. Franklin gashed Missouri State for 253 yards earlier this season.

Wilkerson pointed out that while much of the attention is on Franklin, UT Martin has plenty of weapons.

“He’s a tremendous challenge, but so is their entire offense. They’re the fifth-ranked offense in the country right now, the third-ranked rushing offense and they’re not an option football team,” he said.

Quarterback Kinkead Dent, a graduate transfer from Ole Miss, has thrown for 984 yards and 10 touchdowns this season.

“Dent is a very capable passer. He’s big. He’s physical. He can make all the throws,” Wilkerson said. “They’re very skilled at all the wide receiver positions.”

Meanwhile, the Skyhawk defense has gone six straight second-half quarters without yielding a point.

“That’s a mature group on defense. They take a lot of pride and have been performing well,” UT Martin head coach Jason Simpson said.

This week’s opponent

UT Martin, picked to finish third in the preseason Big South-OVC poll, has reeled off four straight wins after opening the season with a loss at defending FBS national champion Georgia.

The Skyhawks rank in the top-25 nationally in 15 different team categories.

The 52-year-old Simpson has been UTM’s head coach since 2006. He has won three conference championships, including back-to-back crowns in 2021 and ’22 (a shared title with Southeast Missouri).

(Kickoff: 2 p.m., TV: ESPN-Plus; Radio: WEIU.net)

Key matchup to watch

EIU run defense vs. Sam Franklin

Despite a shoulder injury suffered early in last Saturday’s win over Tennessee State, Franklin carried the ball 20 times for 132 yards.

“He’s really worked hard. He had a lot of ability last year with a lot of really big runs,” Simpson said. “He’s really taken to coaching. He’s been intent in his improvement to playing the position. He’s being consistent in his steps, consistent in his reads.”

Wilkerson noted that Franklin doesn’t do it alone.

“Their offensive line is the most physical, athletic line that we’ve seen on field all year,” he said. “Our defense will have its hands full.”

Making it more difficult are injuries to EIU interior defensive linemen.

Tackle Terence Simon, Jr. is out for the season with a dislocated elbow sustained against Northwestern State, Wilkerson said.

Redshirt junior Tre’jon Lewis also left last week’s game with a recurring injury.

Wilkerson said Lewis would be a “game-time decision” Saturday.

What’s at stake

Eastern has a chance to not only open its conference schedule with a win, but to do so against one of the top teams in the league. Saturday’s game is a good measuring stick to see where the Panthers stand.

Quick hits

Saturday marks the 103th EIU homecoming game. The Panthers are 52-43-8 in those contests, but have lost three straight homecoming games. The first was played in 1915. … It also marks the 29th meeting between EIU and UTM with the Panthers holding a 15-13 series advantage. However, the Skyhawks have won the last four meetings dating back to 2019 and holds a 12-5 record under Simpson. Saturday will see EIU playing its 179th game as a nationally ranked team at the FCS level. … EIU has only allowed one individual 100-yard rusher this season and allowed only two backs to crack the century mark in a game last fall. … The Panthers have won the Big South-OVC Freshman of the Week honors four out of five times this season. Punter Jacob Horvath took the award in week one. Running back M.J. Flowers has won it three straight weeks.

Dan Verdun is a co-founder of Prairie State Pigskin. He has written four books: NIU Huskies Football, EIU Panthers Football, ISU Redbirds Football and SIU Salukis Football.

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