When I first looked at the Eastern football team’s 2005 schedule I didn’t notice anything unusual about it. The Panther scored a good money game with BYU, but that was the extent of it.

Then I noticed something odd about it. The Panthers open on a Thursday night. At first I thought maybe I had been knocked senseless by a mob of disgruntled clowns and when I awoke, Eastern had joined the Mountain West Conference.

I can only imagine the Panthers grinding it out with Air Force and Colorado State every Thursday night on ESPN.

But unfortunately it was only a dream.

Eastern will open with Indiana State for the second year in a row, and there’s nothing wrong with that. Last year Eastern pulled out all the stops with a skydiver parachuting in the game ball and a post-game fireworks show, not to mention the overtime thriller.

But this year’s game can only offer another heated matchup that goes down to the wire, and none of the good stuff like skydivers and fireworks.

The game was moved to a Thursday night because of Labor Day weekend and most of the student body wouldn’t be around for the game.

For the Panthers it means opening the season on the same day they have classes and there likely wouldn’t have been a good draw even if the student body were there.

At any rate it will be a far cry from last year.

It’s been nearly 10 years since Eastern played on a Thursday night and it was a night to forget.

“I didn’t even remember if we ever had played on a Thursday night (until someone told me),” Eastern head coach Bob Spoo said. “I’d rather not but it’s the home team’s decision.”

Spoo said he thinks that the change in scheduling won’t affect the Panthers.

“I don’t think that’s a factor,” Spoo said. “It’s a school day but we are just anxious to get out there and see where we’re at.”

After last year’s OT loss, Eastern would surely be willing to play them on a Tuesday morning if it meant getting a chance to avenge last year’s loss.

Dan Renick is a junior journalism major. If you want attend the season opener of his new play ask him how at [email protected]