The Mid-America Classic returns to Charleston as Eastern Illinois faces No. 7 Illinois State. The Panthers look to reclaim the trophy in the 113th meeting with the Redbirds.
Saturday will be the 20th time one of the two teams have been nationally ranked during this rivalry.
The Redbirds are ranked 7th in the Stats Perform Football Championship Subdivision top 25 poll and are also ranked 4th in the American Football Coaches Association Football Championship Subdivision poll.
The Mid-America Classic is the most played matchup in the FCS, dating back to 1901 where Eastern won the first game 28-0.
Last season, the Redbirds handled the Panthers in a 31-7 win in Normal.
Illinois State (1-1) is coming off a 41-13 win over Morehead State last Saturday.
Last week’s 38-14 loss against Indiana State was highlighted by a slow start on the offensive side of the ball for Eastern. The first six possessions ended in a punt and Eastern did not enter Indiana State’s side of the field until the second half.
Head coach Chris Wilkerson wants to see the offense start faster against Illinois State.
“We just have to continue to stay ready, do your 1/11th and to make a play when the ball is in the air, or you get the ball or the blocks that need to be made,” graduate receiver Cooper Wilman said. “We need to continue to work at practice and then when the time comes in the game, we got to execute.”
Redshirt junior running back Charles Kellom says this week the mentality for the offensive is to be violent, come off the ball and play the best brand of Panther football.
Kellom leads the Panthers in rushing yards with 219 through two games which is ranked ninth in the FCS.
Eastern is ranked 26th in FCS in first down offense, 26 rushing first downs, and 12 passing first downs. The offense is also ranked 31st in third down conversions, converting 42% of the time.
Redshirt freshman Connor Wolf got his first taste of college football against Indiana State, completing 9 passes for 113 yards.
“I think it was important for me to get some of that playing time. See some live defenses, play against a different team, I think it was good to help the confidence,” Wolf said.
Wolf explained that he is comfortable and confident that the offensive line will help him produce what is needed.
“I trust those guys 100%, I’m comfortable back there, ” Wolf said. “It’s what I’ve been doing since I was a kid, so there’s no place I’d rather be than playing with those guys.”
On the other side of the ball, Wilkerson wants the defense to take the football away and limit explosive plays. The Panthers forced Indiana State to punt the ball five times but allowed three big play touchdowns.
Keeping control of their emotions is something else Wilkerson wants to see out of his team.
Last week, junior defensive linemen Samuel Robles was ejected from the game after picking up two unsportsmanlike penalties on the same drive. Senior linebacker Tylan Foster was also ejected on a targeting call the play before Robles’ ejection.
Junior safety Saipeti Maiava Jr said the defense has been working on staying fundamentally sound throughout the whole game and their discipline. Maiva Jr. led the team in tackles last week with 11, with 5 of them solo, and 6 assisted. Junior defensive back Kaleb Lyons added seven tackles with three tackles for loss, while graduate defensive linemen Drake Van Hyfte had the only sack for the Panthers.
Eastern is ranked 42nd in total defense, 33rd in rushing defense and 69th in passing yards allowed.
Another positive for the Panthers is that many different players got a chance to play last weekend.
“We are gaining more experience, it’s impossible to simulate a game, so game repetition for a group that has so many new faces is going to be critical as we go forward.” Wilkerson said. “We have got to take another step forward this weekend and it’s going to be a huge challenge for us.”
The Panthers are set to play Illinois State Saturday. Kickoff is scheduled for 2 p.m. at O’Brien Field.
Cameron Thomas can be reached at 581-2812 or at [email protected].
