Wisconsin transfer Cole LaCrue earned the starting quarterback job for Eastern Illinois’ season opener Thursday night at O’Brien Field. Kickoff is 6 p.m. (Photo by Barry Bottino, PrairieStatePigskin.com)
By Dan Verdun
Cole LaCrue hasn’t seen on-field action since 2022 when he was leading his Colorado high school team to a state championship. But, don’t count him among those worried about the layoff.
“Not one bit,” the redshirt sophomore transfer from FBS Wisconsin told Prairie State Pigskin after being named the starting quarterback for Thursday’s EIU season opener against Dayton at O’Brien Field.
LaCrue was rated a three-star recruit coming out of Broomfield High School. He spent two seasons with the Big Ten Conference’s Badgers, but did not receive any playing time.
“The (EIU) staff has done a really good job with trust and belief in me. That’s a big thing for me,” LaCrue said.
That confidence has only grown since LaCrue beat out redshirt sophomore Blainey Dowling and redshirt freshman Connor Wolf in fall camp to be named Eastern’s starter.
“At the end of the day, you’ve got to believe in yourself. If someone believes in you and you can’t believe in yourself, what are they believing in? I really love that (the staff) said that because it really made me look in the mirror and trust in my ability and talent,” he said.
EIU head coach Chris Wilkerson said LaCrue’s leadership, competitiveness and athleticism all emerged during camp.
“Not only is he competitive and certainly skilled, but he’s really, really athletic and explosive so the offense just seemed to click a little bit more as he got more comfortable with it,” Wilkerson said.
The 6-foot-1, 205-pound LaCrue is a dual-threat quarterback who was named first-team all-state and Colorado 4A player of the year as a senior. LaCrue said his biggest growth since those prep days has come in study and preparation.
“In high school, I think I relied more just on my talent and athleticism,” he said. “Now, I rely on the mental side of the game a lot. I make sure that I’m seeing the right things and making smart checks.”
Thursday night can’t come quick enough for LaCrue.
“Every kid wants to start at the college level. I’m so freaking excited about it,” he said.
The opponent
Dayton is a member of the non-scholarship Pioneer League. The last time the two teams met on the field, Dayton posted a 17-10 home win against EIU in 2021.
Dayton was picked to finish fifth out of 11 teams in the Pioneer’s preseason poll. Trevor Andrews enters his third season as head coach. The 47-year-old was a three-year letterwinner at defensive back for Dayton.
The Flyers placed four players on the preseason all-league team. Three of those players are on offense: junior running back Mason Hackett, junior receiver Gavin Lochow and graduate student lineman Ryan Iiams.
Redshirt junior cornerback Cam Cope was recognized on defense.
“They’re a very well-coached team and they’re also a very veteran football team,” Wilkerson said, noting that all 22 starters are upperclassmen.
Kickoff: 6 p.m.; TV: ESPN-Plus; Radio: WEIU.net/hitmix
Key matchup to watch
EIU defense vs. Dayton offense
With only two returning players who started last year’s season opener at Illinois in Thursday’s lineup, the Panthers have a very different look on defense. Thursday’s game provides the first test to see how the new mix meshes in defensive coordinator Andrew Strobel’s system.
What’s at stake
Following a three-win season and rebuilding its roster with 53 new players, a victory would kick-start Eastern in the right direction to open the season.
Quick hits
Dayton alum and former Super Bowl-winning head coach Jon Gruden will attend the game. Prior to kickoff, Gruden will tour the EIU facilities, eat a pregame meal and address the Panthers as well as meet with former EIU players at a tailgate. Gruden will also perform the ceremonial coin toss. … Of the 56 returning EIU players, only 17 have started a game in a Panther uniform. … Of the 22 players who started on offense and defense for EIU in last year’s season opener at Illinois, only six remain on this season’s roster: DB Moses Alexander, OL Nic DiSanto, OL Sando Malicevic, LB Phoenix Porter, WR D’Airious Smith and WR Cooper Willman. … Willman returns as a captain and receiver. The graduate student was named OVC-Big South Offensive Preseason Player of the Year by Lindy’s Sports. Willman, who got married this summer, was named fourth-team preseason All-America by Phil Steele Magazine. … This is EIU’s 22nd season opener on a Thursday night. The Panthers are 12-9 in those games.
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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