Eastern’s pass defense prides itself on being able to take a star receiver away, but Saturday the Panthers may not be able to narrow its target.

“They have a very talented receiving corps and it’s their strength, that’s for sure,” Eastern acting head coach Mark Hutson said.

It’s been seven straight games that the Panthers gave up more than 100 yards to a receiver. Eastern Kentucky’s Andre Ralston racked up 156 yards on 11 catches and a touchdown but the Colonels lost 53-22 last October during Eastern’s Homecoming game.

“I think that our secondary and defensive backs are very talented and proven that they can meet certain challenges,” Hutson said.

The problem for Eastern defensive coordinator Roc Bellantoni is that he has to worry about multiple receiving options for Sycamores quarterback Reilly Murphy.

“They have a nice core of talent at that position and they spread you out so it’s hard to cover them,” Bellantoni said.

The Sycamores rely on senior receiver Sam Logan, who already has the most receptions in Sycamore history, to ignite an offense that has a new quarterback, tailback and offensive coordinator.

“Sam Logan is Mr. Dependable for us. He is a great leader and when we need someone to step up and make a difficult catch, he is the one that we turn to,” Indiana State head coach Lou West said.

Logan has 16 receptions for 183 yards and a touchdown in his three games against Eastern, but his best game came as a freshman in 2003 when the Kentland, Ind., native had 104 yards and a touchdown.

Now in year two of West’s offensive philosophy, the First Team All-Gateway Football Conference performer had eight catches for 93 yards in the Sycamores season-opening 60-35 loss to Purdue. Logan is 105 yards away from holding the school record for receiving yards as well.

“He has done a real nice job this year of being a leader in our offense,” West said. “We are going to lean on him heavily throughout the rest of the season.”

The deep threat for Murphy is junior Brian Jackson. The Western Michigan transfer, who placed fifth in the 400-meter hurdles at the Mid American Conference Championships, had 104 yards on six catches including a 23-yard touchdown reception against Purdue in his I-AA debut.

“He can jump through the roof, and we are going to give him plenty of chances to make plays this season,” West said.

The Panthers have held their opponents to under 200 yards passing in their last six games dating back to late October 2005. Bellantoni hinted that his team might use more a nickel scheme that involves replacing a linebacker with a faster defensive back on normal down situations.

“We had planned to play more nickel anyway and that gives me confidence but I thought our secondary played well last week at Illinois,” Bellantoni said.

Eastern’s secondary will be led by senior safety Tristan Burg, who will look to replicate his effort last year at Terre Haute, Ind. The preseason All-American had five tackles, one fumble recovery and a 76-yard interception return for a touchdown that iced the 24-13 win.

“Tristan needs to step up and be a dominant player, but he’s not a rah-rah guy,” Bellantoni said. “So guys like (senior cornerback) Ben Brown along with (junior linebacker) Donald Thomas need to be the emotional leaders.”