Linebacker Phoenix Porter (19) had two of Eastern’s six sacks in the Panthers’ 16-10 victory last week against Lindenwood. (Photo by EIUPanthers.com)
By Barry Bottino
Four wins.
Twenty-four losses.
Those numbers were the results of Phoenix Porter’s first three seasons in an Eastern Illinois football uniform.
“I’ve seen the lowest of lows,” said Porter, a sophomore linebacker.
When the Panthers and Porter take the field in Charleston Saturday against Tennessee State, they will do so with six wins this season and a chance to put themselves into playoff consideration.
“To see some sort of reward for the work that you put in over time, it’s a good feeling for sure,” Porter said. “I don’t think we’re done yet.”
At O’Brien Field on gamedays, the student section is a little louder and the stands have fewer empty seats.
“There’s a different feel on campus,” Porter said. “We’re bringing back what Eastern should be.”
Eastern (6-3 overall, 2-2 Big South-Ohio Valley Football Association) can take a big step closer to the FCS playoffs with a win against TSU (6-3, 2-2). Porter, one of nine EIU players this season with a sack, and his defensive teammates are a big reason Eastern is thriving.
“They have playmakers at every level of the defense,” TSU head coach Eddie George said. “I love the linebackers and how they play with patience, athleticism. The secondary is well-coached. This is probably one of the better defenses we have seen in quite some time.”
The Panthers have a plus-13 turnover margin, own the conference’s best scoring defense (20.7 points a game) and need two sacks to reach 20 for the first time in nearly a decade.
“We all believe in each other and have a will to win,” Porter said. “That bond was created in the off-season, throughout the winter workout sessions and into summer. Everybody put in work with each other. That created that mentality and that mindset you need as a defense to work on the same page.”
Eastern’s six sacks last week against Lindenwood was a welcome performance.
“We struggled a little bit early on, but big shoutout to (defensive line coach Fred) Wyatt. He really knows what he’s doing and he’s getting us to play complimentary football,” defensive lineman Nicholas Oliveira-Chace said.
Eastern’s 16-10 victory last weekend was its sixth one-possession game this season, four of which have been victories.
“Right now, the bottom line is you’ve just got to find a way,” EIU head coach Chris Wilkerson said.
This week’s opponent
Along with do-it-all defensive lineman Terrell Allen (see Key matchup to watch), the TSU defense features tackling machine Monroe Beard III at linebacker, whose 95 total tackles rank 11th in the nation. The Tigers have intercepted a pass in six games in a row, but EIU quarterback Pierce Holley has thrown only three interceptions over the past six games. … On offense, TSU’s 21 rushing touchdowns include 10 by redshirt freshman running back Jordan Gant. The two-quarterback system of seniors Draylen Ellis and Deveon Bryant have combined for just six passing touchdowns and five interceptions. They have eight combined rushing TDs.
Kickoff: Noon; TV: ESPN-Plus; Radio: WEIU.net/hitmix
Key matchup to watch
EIU offensive line vs. TSU DE Terrell Allen: This will be EIU’s biggest challenge Saturday. Allen, a senior defensive end, leads the nation in sacks (14.5), tackles for loss (24.5) and forced fumbles (five). Add in that EIU has allowed a league-high 32 sacks, and Allen could spell trouble for the Panthers. “He’s the best defensive player we’ve seen, certainly this year, and maybe one of the best defensive players I’ve seen,” Wilkerson said. “He’s got a great motor, he’s strong, he can bend. He demoralized one of our offensive tackles (last season). You better know where he’s at.”
What’s at stake?
A victory keeps EIU’s playoff hopes alive and likely moves them into the top three in the conference standings.
Quick hits
With two more wins, Eastern would reach 8-3 and earn playoff consideration. But the Panthers aren’t focused on postseason hopes right now. “We’ve put ourselves in a good spot,” Porter said. “But as a team, we’re just focused on the next one. Coach Wilk says this a lot, that we’re still chasing our best game. (Lindenwood) was our best start. It was a glimpse of what we’re capable of.” George also eschewed playoff talk for his Tigers. “I’m not going to get caught up in the arithmetic of the playoffs and who’s doing what,” he said. “It doesn’t matter.” … Eastern’s Senior Day recognition will take place Saturday. The Panthers, according to Wilkerson, will honor 23 seniors and a student assistant coach. Wilkerson said some of the players being recognized still must decide if they plan to use remaining eligibility. … Sophomore safety Blake Ruffin leads the Panthers with four interceptions, the most for an EIU player since Jourdan Wickliffe had five picks in 2015. … Cornerback Russell Dandy has 15 pass breakups this season, which ranks first in FCS. He is one breakup shy of Ben Brown’s single-season school record set in 2004.
Barry Bottino is a co-founder of Prairie State Pigskin and a 19-year veteran of three Illinois newspapers. He has covered college athletics since 1995.
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