Linebacker Tylan Foster was a first team All OVC-Big South selection. The transfer from FCS Incarnate Word topped the Panthers with 100 tackles, second-most among conference leaders. (Photo by Sandy King, EIUPanthers.com)
By Dan Verdun
A promising start to its conference season was obliterated by a seven-game losing streak that looms over the Eastern Illinois off-season.
After a 1-2 start with their non-conference schedule, the Panthers defeated rival Western Illinois on the road and Tennessee State at home and seemed to be riding high.
Then came a 21-10 loss to Gardner-Webb on homecoming, which sent EIU into a spiral of frustrating outcomes.
The Panthers will strive to avoid equaling the nine-game losing skid over the 2021 and 2022 seasons. The 2021 season saw six straight losses, the final under then-head coach Adam Cushing before Chris Wilkerson took over in 2022 and lost his first three games.
EIU has produced one winning record – 8-3 under Wilkerson in 2023 – in the last eight seasons.
Here’s a look back at EIU’s 2025 season:
Head coach: Chris Wilkerson
Conference: Ohio Valley-Big South Football Association
Overall record (conference record): 3-9 (2-6)
Biggest win: EIU forced three turnovers and held Tennessee State to just 30 rushing yards en route to a 31-7 romp. The win boosted the Panthers to a 2-0 start in league play for the first time since 2017.
Most disappointing loss: A week after losing 17-16 at Charleston Southern when its potential game-winning field goal was blocked, Eastern dropped a 27-20 overtime decision to UT Martin on Family Weekend at O’Brien Field. Kicker Drew Schiller missed a 41-yard field goal attempt on the final play of regulation.
Breakout players
Offense: Nic DiSanto, who played both guard and tackle, earned All OVC-Big South second-team honors. After the season, the junior entered the transfer portal and signed with FBS Central Michigan.
Defense: Linebacker Tylan Foster was a first-team All OVC-Big South selection. The transfer from FCS Incarnate Word topped the Panthers with 100 tackles, second among conference leaders.
Special teams: Punter Mason Miller was the first-team all-league punter after setting the EIU record with a 47.4 average, which ranked fourth in the FCS.
2026 season opener: EIU opens with a Week Zero game Aug. 27 at Murray State. The Racers, now in the Missouri Valley Football Conference, are a former OVC member.
According to FBSchedules.com, the Panthers play three of their first four games — all non-conference contests — on the road:
- at FBS Minnesota, Sept. 3
- host Indiana State, Sept. 12
- at Illinois State, Sept. 19
Next up: Barry Bottino examines 5 Burning Questions facing Eastern Illinois football.
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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