Eastern Illinois begins Big South-Ohio Valley Conference play Saturday with a trip to in-state rival Western Illinois, starting a stretch of eight consecutive league games that will determine the Panthers’ postseason hopes.
EIU (1-2) returns from the bye following a non-conference schedule that included a win over Dayton and losses to No. 4 Illinois State, and Indiana State.
The Panthers average just over 22 points and 150 rushing yards per game but have also allowed 31 points per game, with defensive lapses on explosive plays proving costly.
Head coach Chris Wilkerson said the bye week helped the team prepare for the reset of conference play.
“I know they’re very focused,” Wilkerson said. “They understand the urgency and first conference game of the year, so it’s a complete reset. We’ve had a great bye week and worked out some kinks and some things that we needed to work on that’ll be used for the whole season.”
Redshirt freshman quarterback Connor Wolf, confirmed by Wilkerson as the starter, said the offense is concentrating on execution.
“We’re just keeping the main thing the main thing,” Wolf said. “We know all things are even, and one play can decide a game. I trust the offensive line, I trust the receivers, I trust the coaches. I feel [like] I’m prepared.”
Redshirt junior running back Charles Kellom said the offensive unit has responded by raising its practice intensity.
“Across the board, everybody’s getting better day in and day out,” Kellom said. “We really just upped the intensity in practice and took that next step.”
Graduate wide receiver Cooper Willman said the non-conference slate revealed areas to build on.
“We saw a lot of ups and a lot of downs,” Willman said. “Having this bye week, going back and finding our strengths and weaknesses, trying to get better every single day and at every single practice, it’s about finding what we do best and going into conference play on the right foot.”
On the defensive side of the ball, redshirt senior lineman Alton Jefferson said progress has come through steady work.
“Everybody’s locked in, turned it up a notch,” Jefferson said. “We don’t take steps back. As long as somebody improves every day, we should be good.”
Junior linebacker Ja’waun Nickson pointed to communication as the biggest area of growth.
“We know all of our faults and problems,” Nickson said. “Our biggest growth has been communication. When you know what you’re doing, you’re not a step late, and that makes all the difference.”
Wilkerson noted consistency remains the focus.
“We’ve had a lot of three-and-outs and played good defense at times, and then other times allowed big plays, especially in inopportune times,” Wilkerson said. “On offense, we’ve shown that we can run the football at times and pass it at times. Now we’ve got to be able to do both when required and based on what the defense presents.”
Across the OVC, the opening weekend marks the start of a wide race.
Eastern Illinois will play eight league games, with home games against Tennessee State and Gardner-Webb following Saturday’s trip to Western.
Wilkerson said the key to success is approaching each week with focus and executing consistently.
Nickson emphasized the team’s preparation and focus heading into conference play.
“The style of practice has gone up,” Nickson said. “Coach Wilk[erson] is making sure everybody knows that there’s no more playing around. Even though games matter at the end of the season, they definitely matter now because it’s conference time. If you want to make it to the playoffs then you’ve got to perform very, very well and consistently.”
Western Illinois (1-3) begins its second Big South-OVC season.
The Leathernecks are averaging 23 points per game but allowing nearly 44, giving up more than 470 yards per outing, including over 230 on the ground.
Their non-conference schedule included games against Illinois, Northwestern, Valparaiso, and Eastern Washington.
Kickoff is scheduled for Saturday in Macomb at 3 p.m.
Payton Liggins can be reached at 581-2812 or at [email protected].
