Eastern Illinois cornerback Isaiah Houi has five pass breakups this season for the Panthers, which is the second-highest total among all FCS players. (Photo by Sandy King, EIUPanthers.com)
By Barry Bottino
Before one of his players grabs an interception, Eastern Illinois cornerbacks coach and defensive pass game coordinator Maurice Fleming is making sure they know the feeling.
“It’s getting these guys mentally prepared, having them visualize making the play,” he said.
Whether that’s in practice, in meetings or while watching film at home, preparing Panther defenders for that moment could break a frustrating streak.
In the past nine games, EIU has one takeaway and no interceptions. Eastern’s last pick came Oct. 5, 2023, when NiJhay Burt nabbed a pass from Southeast Missouri quarterback Paxton DeLaurent in the fourth quarter.
“It’s been a problem for us,” EIU head coach Chris Wilkerson said. “We have got to have better ball disruption.”
During the team’s bye week leading into Saturday’s Ohio Valley Conference-Big South Football Association opener at Western Illinois (3 p.m., ESPN-Plus), practice drills focused on taking the ball away.
“It’s been our mindset and our focal point, trying to get to the ball as much as we can,” said redshirt junior cornerback Kaleb Lyons. “It’s an attitude more so than anything.”
Pursuing the football has helped Lyons collect 12 tackles and three tackles for loss this season. His TFL total ranks second on the team.
“It’s understanding our defense, trusting my eyes and trusting what we’ve talked about,” Lyons said.
Fellow starting cornerback Isaiah Houi, a sophomore, has responded with five pass breakups, which is the second-highest total in FCS. Only five players have more this season. He played seven games last season as a true freshman, including three starts.
“That really helped my confidence, knowing I can play at this level,” he said.
This weekend, the Panthers (1-2) will welcome back senior cornerback Moses Alexander, who started six games last fall before a season-ending injury in early October. This will be his first game action since the injury.
“Moses will eventually get his opportunity to be out there on the field,” Fleming said. “It’s all about how he maximizes it.”
Facing Western Illinois and head coach Joe Davis, the former EIU offensive coordinator, means the Panthers will see plenty of wrinkles.
“He dresses up the formations very well,” Fleming said. “He’s going to throw some curveballs our way and we have to be able to respond well.”
This week’s opponent
Western is 1-3, having played FBS games at Illinois and Northwestern, along with a road trip to Eastern Washington. The WIU defense is allowing 44 points a game and nearly 470 yards. Head coach Joe Davis said tackling has been a major issue for the Leathernecks, who are allowing almost 235 yards rushing a game. … Running back Markell Holman, a transfer from FCS Saint Francis, ranks third in the conference with 82.3 rushing yards a game. The WIU passing game, however, is averaging just 179 yards per game after gaining more than 3,300 yards in the air last season. … Injuries at wide receiver have been a trouble spot for WIU. Leading receiver Demari Davis (210 yards) did not play last week after sustaining a lower body injury against Valparaiso. Transfers AJ Harris and Fabian Baez also have battled injuries early in the season. … This week, Joe Davis praised his rapidly improving offensive line. The group includes a senior, two sophomores, a redshirt freshman and a true freshman. Wisconsin transfer James Durand, a sophomore who plays center, “has really solidified us,” Davis said. True freshman Tyler Sulsberger has taken over at right tackle, while versatile redshirt freshman Matt Montgomery is working at left tackle. Senior Dagen Miller and sophomore Dorian Arguelles are playing the two guard spots. “I’m excited about those guys,” Davis said.
Kickoff: 3 p.m.; TV: ESPN-Plus; Radio: WEIU.net/hitmix
Key matchup to watch
Eastern run game vs. Western defense: The Panthers have the third-best rushing offense in the conference, averaging 153.3 yards a game, thanks to transfer RB Charles Kellom and QB Cole LaCrue. Western, meanwhile, is allowing nearly 235 yards a game on the ground and is coming off a loss to Eastern Washington that featured the Eagles running for 325 yards.
What’s at stake?
Eastern is seeking back-to-back wins for the first time since it closed the 2023 season with a four-game winning streak. A victory would give EIU its first consecutive victories against Western since the 1989 and 1990 seasons.
Quick hits
Wilkerson said quarterbacks Cole LaCrue, a sophomore transfer from Wisconsin, and Connor Wolf, a redshirt freshman, give Eastern a multitude of opportunities on offense. LaCrue rushed for an EIU QB record 193 yards against Dayton, while Wolf burst onto the scene with an Eastern freshman record 411 passing yards against Illinois State. “They’re going to both play, and they may both be on the field at the same time,” Wilkerson said. “They’ve both shown flashes of greatness. I’m excited to see them continue to grow and lead our offense.” … EIU punter Mason Miller, a graduate transfer from NAIA Marian University, ranks third nationally this week with a 48.1-yard average. Seven of Miller’s 17 punts this season have been at least 50 yards, while his season long is 65 yards against Illinois State. … The Panthers led the national in turnover margin in 2023. Over the past nine games, however, Eastern had created only one turnover. This season, Eastern has turned the ball over six times and recovered only one fumble. … EIU ranks 30th in the nation this week with 6.3 tackles for loss per game. Defensive lineman Drake Van Hyfte and linebacker Tylan Foster lead the team with 3.5 each. … On third downs, the Panthers’ defense has been strong. EIU is allowing opponents to convert on 33.3% of third downs, which is 24th in FCS for best defensive percentage.
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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