Running back Charles Kellom, a transfer from FBS Akron, leads the Panthers with 219 rushing yards. His 109.5 yards per game ranks ninth in FCS and is first in the Ohio Valley-Big South Football Association. (Photo by Sandy King, EIUPanthers .com)
By Dan Verdun
Charles Kellom has carried the load for the Eastern Illinois offense.
Digging into the numbers, Kellom has 53 carries in two games. That accounts for 50% of EIU’s runs and 35% of its offensive snaps. The Akron transfer leads the Panthers with 219 yards rushing (109.5 yards per game), which ranks ninth in the FCS and first in the OVC-Big South.
Kellom rushed for 133 yards in the season-opening home win against Dayton and followed with an 86-yard performance in a loss at Indiana State.
“CK has been very steady for us,” EIU head coach Chris Wilkerson said. “He’s a guy that has been able to execute at a high level. He has been very productive. He’s also been able to maintain control of his emotions, and he’s been pretty durable so far.”
Kellom is a key figure for EIU (1-1) against FCS Top 10-ranked Illinois State (1-1) in Saturday’s 113th edition of the Mid-America Classic. Kickoff is 2 p.m. at O’Brien Field in Charleston.
“I would describe my running style as one cut and go,” said the 6-foot, 205-pound Cincinnati native. “I’m decisive, but at the end of the day I do what needs to be done to make plays.”
Though he has yet to catch a pass this season, Kellom had 27 receptions for 210 yards and two touchdowns last season for Akron.
“I played a little bit of slot receiver when I first came into high school,” Kellom said. “I feel like I have natural hands, so when I get out of the backfield I feel I can make a play there as well.”
This week’s opponent
Illinois State is ranked No. 4 in the American Football Coaches Association poll and No. 7 in the Stats Perform FCS Top 25.
Brock Spack, in his 17th season at ISU, is the Redbirds’ career leader in wins. Spack was an EIU assistant from 1987 to 1990 under Bob Spoo, EIU’s all-time wins leader.
“Brock has been there a very long time. He’s had some very good football teams, and I would venture to say that this is one of the best he’s ever coached – and he coached in the national championship game (in 2015),” Wilkerson said. “We’ve got our hands full Saturday.”
The Redbirds lost at FBS Oklahoma to open the season before a home win against Morehead State last Saturday in Normal.
ISU returns a strong contingent of players from last year’s playoff team, including quarterback Tommy Rittenhouse, running back Wenkers Wright, receiver Daniel Sobkowicz and linebacker Tye Niekamp.
Kickoff: 2 p.m.; TV: ESPN-Plus; Radio: WEIU.net/hitmix
Key matchup to watch
EIU pass protection vs. ISU pass rush
A week after allowing five sacks in the loss at Indiana State, the Panthers face an Illinois State rush that collected five sacks and three quarterback hurries against Morehead State.
“Their interior three guys on the defensive front are massive (with) really strong hands and big, physical guys,” Wilkerson said. “They’re led by the All-American linebacker, Niekamp, the defensive coordinator’s son.”
What’s at stake
Eastern seeks to regain possession of the Mid-America Classic traveling trophy. ISU reclaimed it with a win at Hancock Stadium last September. The Panthers won the last time the teams played at O’Brien Field in 2023.
The Redbirds hold a 60-43-9 lead in the all-time series. ISU has won six of the last seven meetings and eight of the last 10.
“Rivalries are awesome,” said Wilkerson, who has both played and coached in the series. “It’s certainly a great thing for the league to be able to continue to battle with the Missouri Valley for the second straight week for us.”
Spack recruited Wilkerson to EIU in the early ‘90s.
“It’s why we play college football. It’s good for both schools and the sport of football in our state. This one’s pretty special,” said Spack, who is 10-5 against EIU and 4-1 in the last five games played in Charleston.
Quick hits
The Mid-America Classic rivalry ranks among the most played in FCS among non-current conference members. It is the 14th oldest rivalry game and eighth on the list if the Ivy League is excluded. … EIU defensive lineman Drake Van Hyfte turned in a strong performance after struggling through an injury-plagued 2024. The graduate student finished with six tackles, a sack and 1.5 tackles for loss against Indiana State. … DeAirious Smith, another graduate student, became the 36th player in EIU history to surpass the 1,000-yard career mark with a second-half reception last Saturday. He joins teammate Cooper Willman, who previously reached the milestone. … Junior college transfer safety Saipeti Maiava Jr. tops EIU with 17 tackles. … EIU will induct its annual hall of fame class Friday and honor the six recipients – including former football players Jamie Pilson and Pierre Walters – at halftime.
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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