Western Illinois players react to seeing themselves in the “Team Builder” component of the recent EA Sports College Football 25 release. (Photo by GoLeathernecks.com)
By Dan Verdun
Western Illinois hasn’t officially opened its 2024 season, yet the Leathernecks have already taken the field against other team.
If you’re wondering how this happened, look no further than the reboot of EA Sports College Football video game.
Members of this year’s Leathernecks were recently surprised to find themselves in the long-awaited return of the popular video game.
Actually, the WIU team isn’t in the game. In fact, no Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) are included.
However, the game does allow for users to create their own teams. WIU players recently took a break from fall camp and played the game in their locker room with current Leathernecks on the screen, thanks to one user’s team creation skills.
“WIU has been created by over 80 users (so far),” said Scott Holland, WIU’s Assistant Athletic Director for Athletic Communications.
It’s been just over a decade since fans and gamers have been able to get their hands on the product.
The original game didn’t go away because it lacked popularity. Instead, it disappeared because the NCAA wouldn’t allow players to be paid for use of their names, images and likenesses.
Over the last few years, rumors circulated about the game’s much-anticipated return. Roughly a month ago, that return became a reality.
As college football fans know, the sport has changed in startling ways that have forever altered the landscape since the video game last appeared on the market in 2013.
While today’s game makers have included all 134 Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) programs in its release, EA Sports has no future plans to include any of the 129 FCS schools at this time, according to several news sources.
However, gamers with a registered EA account can go to the Team Builder website and upload their own logos to create a team.
Players are playing
Nearly every video gaming and sports website has offered some kind of review; yet, we’ve gone to actual college football players for their thoughts, opinions and experiences with the game that hasn’t seen a new version for 11 years.
Today’s Illinois FCS players were preteens when the last EA college edition was available.
For Eastern Illinois defensive lineman and team captain Tre’jon Lewis, it’s a chance to play the game using teammates from his previous school. Lewis transferred to EIU in the spring of 2022.
“Oh yeah, I got the deluxe version. I came from Texas Tech, so I’ve got a lot of players (I know) on that team,” Lewis said. “It’s actually a really fun game. It’s really great for those guys (former Texas Tech teammates) to be a part of that game.
“It was big back when I was a kid, so just to see that happening (now) and to see the players finally getting the notice that they’re supposed to get — even the players back then — is a great feeling.”
Lewis also saw a side benefit, though he doesn’t put much stock into it.
“I actually went against Illinois in my first game to try to replicate the season,” Lewis chuckled.
EIU opens its season Aug. 29 in Champaign against the Fighting Illini.
Lewis, meanwhile, would like to see FCS teams added to the game in the future.
“I was already looking up on Google when they’re going to put FCS teams in the game,” he said. “Is it going to be like a Top 25 thing? That’s another thing for us to be motivated about (chuckles), to see if we can get put into the game.
“Hopefully some FCS teams can get in there so we can be a part of history too. It would be good if that happens.”
Battling on the virtual field
During Illinois State’s recent media day, defensive standouts Amir Abdullah, Mark Cannon Jr. and Keondre Jackson got into a friendly debate about who is the best gamer.
“I play it a little bit. I don’t really get to play it that much because I don’t have my own game right now, (but) I’ve played it against some of my teammates. I beat Keondre Jackson a couple times,” Abdullah said.
Overhearing this, Jackson interjected, “I’m the best on the team.”
He also quickly had a rebuttal to Abdullah’s claim.
“He beat me once, but I have the most wins on the team,” Jackson said. “I beat the majority of people on the team. I’m the best on the team.”
Jackson, a redshirt senior from Freeport, generally likes to play the game as Ohio State.
“That running back (Quinshon Judkins) in the game is like a cheat code. He’s probably like one of the best in the game generationally. You know how Bo Jackson was in the game, back in the day? That’s how the Ohio State running back is,” Jackson said. “And they’ve got a great defense.”
Cannon Jr. countered Jackson with his own declaration.
“Nah, he ain’t played me yet,” he said. “I think I’m the best. You can ask a couple of guys in my (position) room and see what I did to them.”
Cannon, a redshirt junior from Evanston, took things a step further.
“We’ll go with random teams. I’ll pick any team and be able to beat you,” he said.
Game over
With fall camp winding down, classes beginning and season openers fast approaching, not everyone has the time to play video games.
EIU quarterback Pierce Holley, the Big South-Ohio Valley Conference Association’s Preseason Offensive Player of the Year, said he doesn’t participate.
“I don’t even have an XBox,” he said.
Then again, Holley – a transfer with a Georgetown University degree already in hand – is working on his MBA in Applied Management.
“I don’t play, but my teammates have been playing it,” he said.
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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