A win Saturday would give Eastern Illinois its first winning season since 2017. (Photo by EIUPanthers.com)
By Dan Verdun
Eastern Illinois is in the midst of its best season in six years. How it turns out may depend on how well the Panthers protect their quarterback and run the ball in the final three games.
EIU has ridden an opportunistic defense, apt offensive plays and timely special teams game changers to a 5-3 record. The Panthers have specialized in late-game heroics, pulling out wins over Illinois State, McNeese and Bryant.
While Eastern ranks second among the 122 FCS schools in turnover margin, it ranks 95th in rushing offense. The Panthers average 111.6 yards per game (3.31 per carry).
That number is no doubt directly affected by EIU allowing 30 sacks for a loss of 195 yards. That statistic places the Panthers 115th in the FCS.
“We’re still a work in progress,” EIU head coach Chris Wilkerson said. “We’ve run the ball in spurts efficiently and then there’s been some times where we haven’t been able to run it.
“Certainly we have not been able to protect the passer as well as hoped.”
Wilkerson is quick to point out it’s more than just the offensive line.
“We’ve had some running backs make mistakes and the tight end is (also) involved in protection,” Wilkerson said, noting that quarterback decisions and receivers’ execution also play roles.
“It’s a team thing and we spent a lot more (practice) time on that the last couple weeks,” Wilkerson said.
Injuries – both in the line and backfield – have affected the ground game.
The Panthers, however, did get some good news. After suffering a knee injury early last season, redshirt junior Elkhanan Tanelus finally returned to the offensive line two weeks ago.
“It was a long road back,” Wilkerson said. “Big Elk is a great addition to our offensive line. He’s played a lot of football. (He’s) very vocal and understands what we’re trying to do. He’s a great mentor to some of the younger guys.”
This week’s opponent
EIU travels to the suburbs of St. Louis to play Lindenwood in a Big South-Ohio Valley Alliance game Saturday.
The Lions joined the OVC last season, transitioning from Division II. Lindenwood slipped past EIU, 37-34 in double overtime, in Charleston last fall.
Lindenwood (3-5, 1-3) has been ravaged by injuries of late. Starting quarterback Cole Dugger is out for the season with a knee injury.
Redshirt sophomore Carter Davis took over in Dugger’s absence and led the Lions to a 23-0 win Oct. 7 against Tennessee Tech.
However, Davis injured his hand last week and is questionable for Saturday, head coach Jed Stuggart said.
Backups Tyler Kubat and Cooper Justice finished out last weekend’s 43-20 loss to Tennessee State. Kubat, a freshman, tossed a pair of touchdown passes and threw one interception.
(Kickoff: 2 p.m., TV: ESPN-Plus; Radio: WEIU.net)
Key matchup to watch
EIU secondary vs. Jeff Caldwell
Wilkerson compared defending the Lions’ leading receiver to the challenge presented by Southeast Missouri wideouts Ryan Flournoy and Damoriea Vick earlier this season.
“Every time Caldwell catches the football, he can go the distance,” Wilkerson said. “Every week you turn on the film, there are explosive plays for him. He reminds me of (former NFL star) Randy Moss.”
Caldwell, a 6-foot-4 redshirt sophomore, has 29 receptions for 584 yards and eight touchdowns. He averages 20.1 yards per catch.
Wilkerson said his defense will try multiple means in an attempt to hold Caldwell in check.
With all the attention on his top receiving threat, Stuggart said, “That’s a good opportunity for other playmakers to step up.”
Stuggart said many teams have used “bracket coverage” with a cornerback and safety against Caldwell this season.
Eastern cornerback Blake Ruffin is well aware of the challenge Caldwell presents.
“He’s got the length, tangibles and size,” Ruffin said. “But it also comes down to catching the ball and creating separation, which he does a good job of atop his routes. He also will go up and get the ball. That makes him a solid player.”
What’s at stake
An EIU win assures the Panthers of their first winning season since 2017.
Quick hits
Eastern Illinois is coming off its bye week. …. EIU’s turnover margin stands at +11. Nationally ranked Furman leads FCS at +12. … Though not ranked, the Panthers picked up seven votes in the AFCA Coaches Poll. EIU has been ranked or among those receiving votes for six straight weeks. … Panther quarterback Pierce Holley was named Big South-OVC Offensive Player of the Week after his performance in an Oct. 21 win against Bryant. Holley ran for three touchdowns and the game-winning two-point conversion in that game. … Dandy ranks fourth nationally in passes defended. The Georgia native has 13 pass breakups and an interception this season. He is four PBUs from setting a single-season EIU record.
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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