Archive for November 2018

Illinois Bicentennial: A Saluki thriller from 1983

Illinois Bicentennial: A Saluki thriller from 1983
To commemorate the upcoming Dec. 3 bicentennial of Illinois becoming a state, Prairie State Pigskin begins a series today featuring some milestones in the Land of Lincoln’s football lore. Today, we highlight Southern Illinois’ 1983 national championship with an excerpt from SIU Salukis Football (published by SIU Press). Michael Jackson wasn’t the only one producing... Read more »
By Dan Verdun,
November 30, 2018 at 6:00 am
• Leave a comment

Illinois Bicentennial: EIU pulled off a miracle in 1978

Illinois Bicentennial: EIU pulled off a miracle in 1978
To commemorate the upcoming Dec. 3 bicentennial of Illinois becoming a state, Prairie State Pigskin begins a series today featuring some milestones in the Land of Lincoln’s football lore. Today, we highlight Eastern Illinois’ 1978 national championship with an excerpt from EIU Panthers Football (published by NIU Press). As the waning seconds of the 1980... Read more »
By Dan Verdun,
November 29, 2018 at 6:00 am
• Leave a comment

Will Eastern Illinois' next football coach come from this group of candidates?

Will Eastern Illinois' next football coach come from this group of candidates?
It’s been just over a week since Eastern Illinois announced its decision to not renew the contract of head football coach Kim Dameron. The Panthers were 3-8 this season and have not made the FCS playoffs since 2015. Dameron’s record was 27-30 in his five seasons in Charleston. He had winning seasons in three of the... Read more »
By Dan Verdun,
November 27, 2018 at 7:00 am
• Leave a comment
Advertisement:

Illinois State trio tabbed for all-conference first team

Illinois State trio tabbed for all-conference first team
Three Illinois State players were named first-team selections by the Missouri Valley Football Conference Monday. Running back James Robinson, wide receiver Spencer Schnell and safety Luther Kirk were lauded by the league as first-team members. Meanwhile, offensive tackle Drew Himmelman and defensive back Devin Taylor landed on the second team. Special team standouts J.T. Bohlken,... Read more »
By Dan Verdun,
November 26, 2018 at 12:46 pm
• Leave a comment

WIU lands seven on All-Missouri Valley teams

WIU lands seven on All-Missouri Valley teams
Seven proved to be a lucky number for Western Illinois football Monday when the Missouri Valley Football Conference announced its 2018 all-league teams. WIU landed seven on the postseason lists. First team recognition went to fullback Clint Ratkovich, defensive lineman Khalen Saunders and linebacker Pete Swenson. Receiver Isaiah LeSure, linebacker Quentin Moon, safety Justin Fitzpatrick and running... Read more »
By Dan Verdun,
November 26, 2018 at 12:34 pm
• Leave a comment

Multiple Salukis named All-Missouri Valley Football Conference

Multiple Salukis named All-Missouri Valley Football Conference
Four Southern Illinois players were recognized by Missouri Valley Football Conference Monday. Safety Jeremy Chinn was named to All-MVFC first team, while running back D.J. Davis, wide receiver Raphael Leonard and defensive end Anthony Knighton landed on the second team. In addition, wide receiver Landon Lenoir, tight end Nigel Kilby and linebacker Bryce Notree were... Read more »
By Dan Verdun,
November 26, 2018 at 12:09 pm
• Leave a comment
Advertisement:

16 things we're thankful for at Prairie State Pigskin

16 things we're thankful for at Prairie State Pigskin
“Thanksgiving dinners take eighteen hours to prepare. They are consumed in twelve minutes. Half-times take twelve minutes. This is not coincidence.” -Erma Bombeck Fortunately, the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision season isn’t just 12 minutes (or even 18 hours). Technically, it runs for August through the national championship game in January. But, we at Prairie State Pigskin live... Read more »
By Dan Verdun,
November 22, 2018 at 5:30 am
• Leave a comment

Corn Bowl: A post-WWII Illinois Thanksgiving tradition

Corn Bowl: A post-WWII Illinois Thanksgiving tradition
To commemorate the upcoming Dec. 3 bicentennial of Illinois becoming a state, Prairie State Pigskin begins a series today featuring some milestones in the Land of Lincoln’s football lore. Today, we highlight the Corn Bowl, which began in 1947. Roughly seven decades ago in post-World War II Illinois, a short-loved bowl game was played in... Read more »
By Dan Verdun,
November 21, 2018 at 5:00 am
• Leave a comment

Hollins headlines EIU all-conference selections

Hollins headlines EIU all-conference selections
Senior wide receiver Alexander Hollins headlined a group of six Eastern Illinois players honored by the Ohio Valley Conference Tuesday. Hollins was named the OVC first team after ranking among the nation’s top wide receivers all season.  “It’s an great honor,” Hollins told Prairie State Pigskin. “Huge shout out to my coaching staff and my o-line. They... Read more »
By Dan Verdun,
November 20, 2018 at 2:35 pm
• Leave a comment
Advertisement:

Dreaming of a November to remember double-header

Dreaming of a November to remember double-header
There were college football games this past weekend at Yankee Stadium, Fenway Park and Sun Trust Park. Nearly two years ago Prairie State Pigskin pondered if such a venture could happen for the Illinois FCS teams. Odds Against FCS Game at Guaranteed Rate Field Last week Prairie State Pigskin contacted Dan Polvere, special events consultant for the Illinois Sports Facilities Authority (ISFA), who... Read more »
By Dan Verdun,
November 20, 2018 at 5:30 am
• Leave a comment