Eastern Illinois safety Brandon Worsley (15) has garnered three takeaways in the last three games. The Panthers host Southeast Missouri at 2 p.m. Saturday at O’Brien Field. (Photo by Sandy King, EIUPanthers.com)
By Dan Verdun
Eastern Illinois has collected at least one turnover in 10 straight games. The Panthers have 13 turnovers on the season, ranking them 19th in FCS and first in the Ohio Valley Conference.
Safety Brandon Worsley has done his part, grabbing turnovers in three straight games. The California native snagged two interceptions and recovered a fumble during that stretch.
The Panthers (2-5 overall, 1-1 OVC) will need more of the same when they host Southeast Missouri (4-3, 2-0) at 2 p.m. Saturday in the annual EIU Homecoming game.
“The ball is the program. Again, last week we were only able to manufacture one takeaway. Brandon had that. It was massive for us,” EIU head coach Chris Wilkerson said.
Wilkerson is impressed with far more than Worsley’s skills.
“Brandon has a great football IQ. He’s got great savvy. He’s got a great understanding of our scheme,” Wilkerson said. “He’s battled through some injuries and had to regain his position. He didn’t pout when he was a backup and continued to improve and was ready when his number was called.”
Worsley said: “My dad never let me pout. I’ve always been taught that. That’s been instilled in me.”
Worsley played two years at San Diego Mesa Junior College before transferring to Eastern last season. After playing in eight games, he missed the remainder of the season with a torn MCL and meniscus.
“Dealing with that and a shoulder injury put me out for most of the entire off-season,” Worsley said.
The 6-foot, 200-pound senior said the encouragement of his family, teammates and coaches kept him going during these challenging times.
Yet, it was his intrinsic motivation that ultimately drove him.
“My goal was always that no matter where I go, I always want to make sure that I impact as much as possible,” Worsley said. “It’s that driving force of, ‘OK, I’m injured now, but I still have more time left.’ With the passing of the 5-for-5 rule, I have two years left. I want to be a factor.”
Participating in fewer than 10 practices in fall camp because of his recovery, Worsley said he entered the season “a little rusty.”
If the last three games are any indication, that rust has been scraped away.
“Part of getting turnovers is a little luck-based. Obviously you have to be around the ball,” he said. “That was the thing with the fumble recovery, just being near the ball.”
Worsley said the first interception was a result of studying the opponent on film.
“I played my cards and jumped the route,” he said. “This last one against Lindenwood was right place at the right time,” he said.
Kickoff: 2 p.m.; TV: ESPN-Plus; Radio: WEIU.net/hitmix
Key matchup to watch
EIU vs. ‘Feast or famine’
Wilkerson knows his offense must show far more consistency. Yes, the Panthers produced big plays in last weekend’s 20-13 home loss to Lindenwood.
For example, QB Cole LaCrue threw touchdown passes of 49 and 24 yards.
However, those plays accounted for 29% of the day’s offensive output and 36% of EIU’s passing yardage for the game.
“We won the battle of the explosives,” Wilkerson said. “We made them work the field. We allowed zero points off the two turnovers that we did have, but we lost the turnover battle, lost the time of possession (and) couldn’t get off the field on third and fourth downs as a defense.
“Offensively, we could not extend drives. It was really feast of famine (with) a couple of explosive plays, but 1-for-9 on third and fourth downs for the game.”
What’s at stake
Eastern hasn’t won a Homecoming game in eight years.
Quick hits
After playing five of its first six games on the road, Eastern is home at O’Brien Field for the second straight Saturday. … EIU is 52-44-8 all-time in Homecoming games. However, the Panthers have lost six straight such games. The last EIU Homecoming win occurred in 2018 when the Panthers edged UT Martin, 24-21, in overtime. … Eastern’s first Homecoming game was in 1915, a 52-6 win against Shurtleff College. That opposing school was located in Alton, Ill., but closed in 1957. … Panthers linebacker Lonnie Burt has made a combined 20 tackles in the last two games. “He’s kind of a run-and-hit guy,” Wilkerson said. “(I’m) excited about his growth.” … Both head coaches expect a physical game Saturday. Wilkerson said SEMO’s offensive line is made up of “finishers. They will stay attached to you. They’re going to make sure they block through the echo of the whistle.” SEMO head coach Tom Matukewicz said, “When you watch Eastern Illinois, what jumps off the film is how hard they play and how physical they are. I think they’re more physical than we are.”
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.
Find us on social media!
Twitter: https://twitter.com/PSPigskin
Facebook: Prairie State Pigskin
Instagram: Prairiestatepigskin
Blue Sky: PSPigskin
Leave a Reply