Thank God the Panthers are not in Kansas anymore.

And they won’t return any time soon if they know what’s good for them.

A trip to a I-A school makes Eastern players and coaches say some goofy things.

Like this quote for example:

“I don’t think this is demoralizing,” Panther senior outside linebacker Nick Ricks said after his team’s 63-13 loss to Kansas State. “We were all in there fighting and I thought we fought pretty well.”

But another trip to Kansas State would be fighting the bad fight.

The Panthers took Manhattan, Kan., with a $250,000 paycheck in tow, but left with plenty of bumps and bruises.

One of which – team morale – may not make a full recovery for the rest of the season.

The arguements for playing a I-A school are tired and make only dollars and cents. Common sense scheduling calls for games against schools that are in the same league. But playing Hawaii and Kansas State back-to-back does nothing more than give the athletic department a good trip to keep boosters on board and a big payday.

Director of Athletics Rich McDuffie was probably in Kansas long enough to count up all the money in the suitcases and make a clean getaway before the rains and the Wildcats offense poured down on the Panthers Saturday.

Bring on the McNesse States and Villanovas of the world in I-AA football. Outside of Eastern Kentucky, which school in the Ohio Valley Conference could possibly test the Panthers for the NCAA playoffs.

Kansas State and Hawaii provided an ample test for about 15 minutes- then the Panthers flunked big time.

Playing I-A schools is nothing more than a get rich quick scheme for the athletic department.

If the Panthers keep scheduling those teams, the only fortune Eastern will draw is cash that would make Regis Philbin and Ed McMahon blush.

Why isn’t Northern Iowa on Eastern’s schedule? There’s already a rivalry there and perrenial potential playoff implications.

A trip to Florida A & M would keep boosters smiling in the Sunshine State.

Playing tough I-AA competition would help the Panthers learn what it takes to play at the next level.

Not that they don’t know – but friendly reminders never hurt.

Playing tough I-A schools can only provide plenty of hurt that thousands of dollars can’t fix.