Panther head coach Bob Spoo has never cared about rankings, and this year is no different.

So that’s why when unranked Illinois State rolls into Charleston 1:30 p.m. Saturday (WHQQ-FM 98.9), Spoo is prepared for a close game.

History is on his side.

Two years ago in Normal, Eastern lost 44-41 in double overtime after quarterback Kevin Glenn threw the game-winning 25-yard touchdown pass to Steve Kostro. The Panthers have lost their last three games against the Redbirds by an average of only 8 points.

“They are coached really well and they play hard,” Spoo said. “They play hard. It’s going to be another tough game.”

The Redbirds received some honorable mention votes in the latest Sports Network I-AA poll and went 2-9 last season. Illinois State pulled off the third greatest comeback in Redbird history last week against Murray State. The Racers led 17-3, but Illinois State rallied to take a 24-23 win.

Here is how the Panthers and Redbirds match up:

Offense

Senior running back Quincy Washington has given defenses fits all season with his explosive speed. Washington averages 137.6 yards per game through the Redbirds’ first three contests – No. 3 in Division I-AA. Washington carried the ball 21 times for 211 yards against D-II Quincy.

Junior quarterback Mike Souza has completed 48 percent of his passes for 316 yards and three touchdowns. Senior wide receiver Vito Golson is more often than not on the receiving end of those passes and is averaging 72 receiving yards per game with three touchdowns. Dwayne Smith, who followed Washington to Illinois State from Illinois, will also be frequent receiving target. He has nine catches for 91 yards in three games.

The Panthers offense has proven it can be explosive, if only it can stay away from penalties.

“If we continue to play sloppy football, that’ll make it a long day against anybody,” Spoo said.

Senior quarterback Tony Romo is ranked No. 50 in pass efficiency, after he led the nation in that category last season. Romo’s six interceptions against eight touchdowns have pushed the 6-foot-3 Wisconsin native down in the rankings.

Junior tailback Andre Raymond is No. 3 in the nation in all-purpose yardage with 224 yards per game. Senior tailback J.R. Taylor is No. 18 in the nation in rushing with 106.7 yards per game and senior flanker Will Bumphus is No. 10 in the nation in scoring with 10 points per game.

Advantage: Eastern

Defense

Sophomore linebacker Boomer Grigsby leads the Redbirds defensive corps with 36 tackles, six for losses. Grigsby was named this week’s Sports Network I-AA National Player of the Week and the Gateway Conference Defensive Player of the Week.

Senior linebacker Greg Helle has 22 tackles. Dennis Butler leads the Redbirds secondary with 19 tackles and four broken-up passes.

Illinois State has forced six fumbles, has one interception, and has limited opponents to 28 points per game.

The Panthers won’t have to worry about a mobile quarterback as they did last week against Indiana State’s Julian Reese. However, Eastern does need to worry about injuries. Spoo had laundry list of players who couldn’t suit up for practices this week.

“Big plays killed us – that’s the thing,” Spoo said. “You just don’t want that to happen and can’t let that happen to your defense.”

Junior linebacker Nick Ricks, one of the players who hasn’t been able to practice every day and didn’t wear pads in Thursday’s practice, leads the team in tackles with 33. Junior Fred Miller, junior Jacob Mauer and red-shirt freshman Kory Lothe each have 13 tackles.

Advantage: Illinois State Butler averages 20.8 yards per kickoff return and 20.8 yards per punt. His longest return was a 43-yarder on a kickoff.

Sophomore Stephen Carroll has made four of his first five field goals, including a 53-yarder against Quincy. Red-shirt freshman Troy Maskel has averaged 34.9 yards per punt in 16 kicks.

Raymond is Eastern’s biggest return threat after a 95-yard kickoff return for a touchdown Saturday against Indiana State. The Panther special teams unit also blocked a punt last against the Sycamores.

Freshman kicker Steve Keuhn has made one of three field goal attempts for 39 yards. Classmate Tom Schofield averages 36.9 yards per punt in 17 kicks.

Advantage: Illinois State

Prediction: Eastern 31, Illinois State 28, OT