Loss of Samford gives teams open slot for extra game. Eastern replaced the opening in its 2008 schedule with another game against a Football Bowl Subdivision team. The Panthers had that opportunity because Samford left the Ohio Valley Conference f… more »

Jacksonville State was picked to finish first in the Ohio Valley Conference for the 2008 season. Eastern Kentucky was a close second, and Eastern Illinois - not far behind - rounded out the top three. Two points separated the Colonels from the Gameco… more »

PITTSBURGH -- Micah Rucker is hoping Thursday night is his chance to show the Pittsburgh Steelers. “I think Thursday the starters may play a series,” the former Eastern Illinois wide receiver said. “I think pretty much I’ll have a full game.” The… more »

Roc Bellantoni’s recollection is that Eastern Illinois was the first to offer a scholarship to Central Michigan quarterback Dan LeFevour, who is now thrown into Heisman Trophy talk. “Brian Flinn recruited him,” Bellantoni, EIU’s defensive coordinator… more »

CHARLESTON -- As Eastern Illinois football teammates were starting preseason practice, Seymour Loftman held his dying baby in his arms. After months of fighting, Elijah James Loftman, who was born prematurely, could fight no longer. “When they pul… more »

CHARLESTON – From the order of players getting on the field and number of plays in Saturday’s football scrimmage, you might sense that Luke Hockaday has grabbed the No. 2 spot among Eastern Illinois’ quarterbacks. You would be right. “Luke is runn… more »

CHAMPAIGN — At 70, Bob Spoo isn’t ready leave the sidelines at Eastern Illinois University. But the football coach and his players know the clock is ticking on his 22-year run as Panther head coach. Though he says he’s healthy now, Spoo missed all o… more »

CHARLESTON — If Bodie Reeder is set at quarterback can we at least say Eastern Illinois has a kicker controversy? “We do,” special teams coach Justin Lustig said. “It’s a good thing.” Yes, EIU’s football coaching staff has a nice problem trying to… more »

CHARLESTON -- Prize transfer Chevon Walker on the ground just seemed to add to Eastern Illinois’ difficult week. As trainers tended to the former University of Florida running back at the 13-yard line, coach Bob Spoo, ready to move on with the season… more »

CHARLESTON – Eastern Illinois defense went nine series before allowing a score in Saturday’s first preseason scrimmage at O’Brien Stadium. “We came out healthy,” EIU defensive coordinator Roc Bellantoni said. “I was pretty pleased with our tackling.… more »

Ironically, a Green Bay Packers fan appears to have settled the quarterback unrest at Eastern Illinois. Last March, things seemed rather in place at Green Bay with Brett Favre riding into the sunset for a happy story and his apprentice Aaron Rodgers… more »

CHARLESTON -- Maybe the rallying point is an insulting third-place prediction in the Ohio Valley Conference. Or maybe it is the love for the grandfatherly coach. By the end of this football season when Bob Spoo is 71 years old, Eastern Illinois of… more »

Chaz Millard busted his helmet three times last season. “But,” Jeff Hoover said, “he wasn’t the one getting the impact – he was delivering it.” As Millard’s offensive line coach at Eastern Illinois University, Hoover knows his 6-foot-3, 289-pound… more »

CHAMPAIGN -- Before playing Illinois this football season, Eastern Illinois is getting an Illini defensive lineman. D’Angelo McCray, a former USA Today second-team high school All-American defensive lineman, is transferring from the Illini to Eastern… more »

DES MOINES, Iowa — Iowa backup kicker Austin Signor says he is transferring to Eastern Illinois. Eastern Illinois competes in the Football Championship Subdivision, meaning Signor will be eligible to play this season. Signor was 3-of-6 on field goal… more »