After two Big South-Ohio Valley Conference matchups, Eastern Illinois is proving it can compete with anyone in the league.
The Panthers opened conference play with a 31-23 win over Western Illinois and followed it with a commanding 38-14 victory against Tennessee State. It’s EIU’s first 2-0 conference start since 2017, and a sign of a team gaining identity and confidence.
Here’s what we’ve learned through two OVC games:
1. The run game is emerging as the offensive foundation
In both conference games, the Panthers offense found its rhythm behind a ground attack that’s getting stronger each week. The Panthers racked up 239 rushing yards at Western Illinois and gained 216 more against Tennessee State, with all running backs contributing.
Redshirt freshman Jacarre Fleming’s breakout has helped open up the playbook, while junior Charles Kellom continues to provide consistency and leadership.
The Panther’s offensive line deserves just as much credit; their consistent push up front has helped EIU control time-of-possession in back-to-back weeks and open lanes for both inside and outside runs.
“They [the offensive linemen] tell me to follow them, they tell me that they want me to trust and take their words, and I’m going to take their words every time,” Fleming said. “So shoutout to the offensive line and coach Cole Hoover.”
2. Defense is forcing turnovers and containing the run
EIU’s defense has been the engine behind its positive conference start. The Panthers held Tennessee State to just 30 rushing yards and forced three turnovers, flipping the field repeatedly.
Since the start of conference, head coach Chris Wilkerson has emphasized that the defensive units need to stop the run game.
Against Western Illinois, EIU’s front seven limited explosive plays and forced the Leathernecks into uncomfortable passing situations.
The defensive line has created consistent pressure, while the secondary is tightening coverage downfield. That balance is giving the unit the flexibility to bring pressure from multiple angles.
Throughout the Western Illinois game, junior linebacker Ja’wuan Nickson had a total of 10 tackles with seven of them being solo, and senior linebacker Tylan Foster had 10 tackles with four being solo.
For the Tennessee State game, Nickson had seven tackles with two solo, and redshirt sophomore defensive lineman Trevon Piggee had four tackles with two solo.
“We knew their running back was pretty much the star of the offense, so we tried to contain him, and limit him as much as we could,” Nickson said. “We knew that their offensive line didn’t have great chemistry, and that quarterback wasn’t the best out there. But that’s why we had a game plan to get some pressure, get the quarterback to scramble and make him uncomfortable.”
When EIU’s defense wins the turnover battle and shuts down the opposing team’s run, it sets up the offense to operate efficiently. That formula has been key to both wins.
3. Quarterback flexibility is a strength, not a weakness
Unlike other schools in the conference, EIU have successfully used a two-quarterback system, balancing redshirt freshman Connor Wolf’s passing game, with redshirt sophomore Cole LaCrue running ability.
Against Tennessee State, LaCrue rushed for two short touchdowns while Wolf kept the drives alive with the rest of the offense.
Wolf has been efficient in the air, as he has completed 36 passes on 57 attempts averaging 210 yards per game, two touchdowns and one interception.
LaCrue has been the Panthers red-zone specialist, rushing for 94 yards and three touchdowns on 21 carries.
“It’s been working well,” Wolf said. “I think we compliment each other well. I think there are some things I do well, and there’s some things he does well. It keeps the defense guessing what’s coming next when you’re able to rotate both of us. He can definitely throw a ball, no doubt about it. I can pull down a run when I need to. The defense is thinking that just one way is wrong, we’re both dangerous when we play.”
The Panthers will continue with Big South-OVC play on Saturday against Gardner-Webb for its homecoming game. The game is the first matchup in the conference this season between two teams without a loss in conference play.
Kickoff is set for 2p.m. at O’Brien Field.
Payton Liggins can be reached at 581-2812 or at paliggins@eiu.edu.
