Sophomore Justin Bowick (1) leads Eastern Illinois with five touchdown receptions this season. Bowick enters Saturday’s game with 23 catches for 335 yards. (Photo by EIUPanther.com)
By Dan Verdun
Coming off consecutive narrow losses, Chris Wilkerson continues to like what he sees in his team.
“It’s been a resilient group of guys. They’re still very focused,” the second-year Eastern Illinois head coach said. “They understand that we’ve been very, very, very close. They know that we’re very improved. And they know that there’s still a lot of work to be done.”
Wilkerson added that his staff talks “a lot about reaction versus response” with the players.
“Our collective response has been very good (between) coaches, support staff and our players,” he said. “It started with ‘Tell the truth Sunday,’ owning what we did well and what we didn’t. And where we go from here.”
An encouraging sign came on Monday when players don’t have a regularly scheduled practice.
“They have some voluntary things to do on their own,” Wilkerson said. “I saw a lot of guys around the building and in the weight room.”
Eastern’s back-to-back losses to open the Big South-OVC Association have come against two of the league’s highly ranked teams. Southeast Missouri was voted to win the conference, while nationally ranked UT Martin was chosen for third place, according to the preseason polls.
“Again, it’s just how we respond to this,” Wilkerson said of his Panthers (4-3, 0-2). “(Saturday) is a great opportunity to play at home. We just want to get to 1-0 (and) to get our first conference win.”
This week’s opponent
Bryant (3-3, 1-0) is coached by Chris Merritt, who began his career as an EIU assistant under Bob Spoo in 1993.
“I initially remember how overwhelmed I was getting into coaching at the college level. It was eye opening,” Merritt said. “I was blessed to work with some of the finest men in the profession that I still stay in touch with today.
“(I) can honestly say there wasn’t a finer human being than Bob Spoo. Even though I was only there for a season, I stayed tied to the program and the players.”
Wilkerson was a defensive lineman when Merritt joined the EIU staff.
“Coach (Merritt) was fresh out of school. He had played at Indiana University for Bill Mallory,” Wilkerson said. “I remember him coming here. He had a lot of energy and enthusiasm.”
Located in Smithfield, R.I., Bryant is a senior-laden team.
“It’s amazing this day in age with college football that Bryant has 19 senior starters. That’s a credit to their university and to their coaching staff and to the culture they’ve created,” Wilkerson said.
The Bulldogs are led by quarterback Zevi Eckhaus, a former Jerry Rice Award finalist. The junior captured Big South-OVC Offensive Player of the Week honors after the Bulldogs’ win against Robert Morris.
Eckhaus, listed at 6-foot-1 and 205 pounds, passed for 283 yards and three touchdowns while rushing for 86 yards and one TD.
“The kid is the real deal,” Wilkerson said. “He can distribute the football. He’s got a great arm. He can throw it short, intermediate and deep.”
Senior Jalen Powell leads the Bulldogs with 20 receptions.
The defensive duo of Kenny Dyson Jr. and Michael Otty have combined for 12.5 tackles for loss and 10 sacks.
Bryant will spend just this season in the Big South-OVC before joining the Colonial Athletic Association next season.
(Kickoff: 2 p.m., TV: ESPN-Plus; Radio: WEIU.net)
Key matchup to watch
EIU run game vs. Bryant front seven
Other than redshirt freshman M.J. Flowers’ 273-yard day against McNeese, no EIU back has rushed for more than 57 yards in a game this season.
Panther quarterback Pierce Holley has been sacked 27 times and has been under duress on numerous other occasions.
Eastern needs to produce a consistent running game Saturday to take pressure off Holley and open up deeper passing routes.
What’s at stake
After a 4-1 start, EIU has lost two straight games. The Panthers are not only out to snap that losing streak but are also in search of their first win in the conference.
Quick hits
Flowers was named one of 22 players on the midyear watchlist for Jerry Rice Award as the top freshman in FCS. … This is the first meeting between the two schools. The Panthers have never played a team from the New England area. … Merritt spent 18 years coaching at Miami (Fla.) Columbus High School where his team reached the state championship game twice. Over the years, he sent a number of his prep players to EIU, including all-time leading Panther receiver Erik Lora. … Wilkerson and Merritt have stayed in touch over the years. “While he was a very successful high school coach down in Miami, I recruited his players at all the different stops I was at,” Wilkerson said. “He’s done a phenomenal job at Bryant.” … Merritt said, “I’ve enjoyed watching Chris’ career over the years. The colleges he coached at often recruited the high school that I coached in Miami. I have a tremendous amount of respect for Chris.” … Eastern will induct its 2023 athletics hall of fame class this weekend. Former offensive lineman Collin Seibert (2011-14) is among those being honored. … Following Saturday’s game, EIU will have its bye week. “This is the longest I’ve ever gone in my coaching career to start a year before having a bye,” Wilkerson said. “I know the guys are tired, but everybody is tired at this point in time in the season.”
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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