Eastern Illinois will close out its home schedule as they host No. 7 Tennessee Tech for senior day.
The Panthers (3-6, 2-4) will look to play a full game of complementary football, after a 28-13 loss to UT Martin.
The Golden Eagles (9-0, 6-0) enter the week as one of the Ohio Valley Conference-Big South’s most complete teams, leading the Football Championship Subdivision in tackles for loss and rushing defense, while ranking second in the FCS in sacks.
EIU head coach Chris Wilkerson said the focus this week has been on execution and efficiency in key situations.
“It’s really been a group effort,” Wilkerson said. “The wide receivers have done a really good job getting open, the quarterbacks have gotten the ball out on time, and the linemen and backs have blocked when needed.”
The Panthers have placed a particular emphasis on sustaining drives and improving red-zone production after settling for field goals and empty possessions in recent weeks.
Wilkerson said finding balance on early downs will be key to keeping drives alive against a Tennessee Tech defense that has allowed only seven explosive runs through nine games.
“We’ve got to be more efficient on first and second down and get into third-and-longs,” Wilkerson said. “That’s something we’ve worked hard on the past few weeks defensively and it needs to carry over on Saturday.”
The matchup also brings a familiar face back to Charleston. Former Panther starting center Drew Wilder transferred to Tennessee Tech after last season where his father serves as the head coach.
Redshirt freshman quarterback Connor Wolf said the offense has worked to find rhythm early and stay ahead of the chains against a defense that thrives on creating negative plays.
“The keys for us are just to execute on early downs,” Wolf said. “First and second down, we’ve got to be efficient so we don’t end up in third and long.”
Redzone efficiency has also been a major point of focus during practice. Wolf said the unit has seen the right looks, but small miscues have kept them from capitalizing.
Redshirt junior wide receiver CJ Nelson said preparation began early in the week, with the Panthers emphasizing tempo to hopefully keep Tennessee Tech’s defense off balance.
“We just have to be able to get open,” Nelson said. “Getting them off tempo and speeding the game up can work in our favor.”
On defense, sophomore defensive back Isaiah Houi said the focus has been on doing the basics right and staying disciplined against a Tennessee Tech offense that ranks among the league’s best in scoring, adding that being more physical that their opponents has been this defenses strength.
“We added some new stuff here and there, but at the end of the day, we’ve just got to keep doing what we’ve been doing,” Houi said. “It’s all about executing our calls and doing our jobs.”
Redshirt senior defensive lineman Alton Jefferson said EIU’s front has worked on refining fundamentals to get consistent pressure on the quarterback and stop Tennessee Tech’s interior run game.
“We’ve been working on pass rush, going back to the fundamentals and keeping the main thing the main thing, and getting to the quarterback,” Jefferson said.
He added that communication and chemistry between the front and linebackers has been strong throughout the season.
For Jefferson and several other Panthers, Saturday will be their final game at O’Brien Field. He said the emotions of senior day haven’t fully hit him yet, but the team’s focus remains on finishing strong.
“It probably won’t kick in until I get the jersey and take pictures before the game,” Jefferson said. “But, it’s all going to be good vibes.”
Kickoff between the Panthers and the Golden Eagles is set for noon.
Payton Liggins can be reached at 581-2812 or at [email protected].
