Archive for September 2019

3 things we learned: Winless EIU drops conference opener

3 things we learned: Winless EIU drops conference opener
CHARLESTON–Saturday’s Ohio Valley Conference opener for Eastern Illinois was designated as its Hall of Fame game with the record-setting passing duo of Jimmy Garoppolo and Erik Lora being inducted into the the Panther den of excellence. Meanwhile, the game itself featured records that translated into a 40-29 loss to visiting Tennessee Tech. TTU quarterback Bailey... Read more »
By Dan Verdun,
September 29, 2019 at 12:35 pm
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Molding young roster a challenge EIU coach Cushing gladly accepts

Molding young roster a challenge EIU coach Cushing gladly accepts
Eleven true freshmen appear this week on the Eastern Illinois two-deep roster. For first-year head coach Adam Cushing, youth definitely has been served. For Cushing and his coaching staff, the challenge of molding his young roster, which includes 50 players who are freshmen or redshirt freshmen. Young players don’t have the game experience of most... Read more »
By Barry Bottino,
September 27, 2019 at 9:30 pm
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When coaches were players: Illinois FCS leaders recall their most memorable games

When coaches were players: Illinois FCS leaders recall their most memorable games
Today we see them on the sidelines. Sometimes they stand in one spot; other times they stalk about with a clipboard or laminated sheets in their hands. They wear caps and, more often than not, a headset. We know them now as head coaches:  Brock Spack at Illinois State, Nick Hill at Southern, Jared Elliott... Read more »
By Dan Verdun,
September 26, 2019 at 5:00 am
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Social media has exploded upon the college football recruiting landscape

Social media has exploded upon the college football recruiting landscape
Just as it has in nearly all aspects of life, the impact of social media on recruiting has exploded in recent years. And it appears there’s no turning back or end in sight. “It has changed everything,” said “Edgy” Tim O’Halloran, who has covered Illinois high school football since 1995. “It has sped up the process,”... Read more »
By Dan Verdun,
September 25, 2019 at 5:15 am
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Moving the Chains with … Southern Illinois DT Keenan Agnew

Moving the Chains with … Southern Illinois DT Keenan Agnew
Carbondale has long been a place where Keenan Agnew was comfortable. His older brothers, Ray and Malcolm, both played for the Salukis. The sophomore defensive tackle from Chesterfield, Mo., also has been sporting his Rams colors for a long time, despite the team leaving St. Louis for Los Angeles. That’s because Agnew’s father, Ray Jr.,... Read more »
By Barry Bottino,
September 24, 2019 at 4:05 am
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3 things we learned: Davis is dandy as ISU overwhelms Northern Arizona

3 things we learned: Davis is dandy as ISU overwhelms Northern Arizona
When Brady Davis looked over the Northern Arizona defense Saturday night in Normal, the Illinois State quarterback noticed exactly what he saw on film when studying the Lumberjacks. There were defenders galore crowding the line of scrimmage to stop the run, putting the game directly into the quarterback’s hands. “They played like that against everybody,”... Read more »
By Barry Bottino,
September 22, 2019 at 11:14 am
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3 things we learned: Offensive woes continue as Eastern upended at Indiana State

3 things we learned: Offensive woes continue as Eastern upended at Indiana State
Adam Cushing and his staff knew its inaugural season wasn’t going to be easy, especially with what statistically was deemed as the nation’s sixth toughest schedule by a national FCS media outlet. EIU completed the nonconference portion of its schedule Saturday with a 16-6 loss at nearby rival Indiana State. The defeat knocked the Panthers’... Read more »
By Dan Verdun,
September 22, 2019 at 10:59 am
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3 things we learned: WIU rally falls short in weather-delayed game

3 things we learned: WIU rally falls short in weather-delayed game
Western Illinois and its fans had to endure a long weather delay Saturday, and while the Leathernecks failed to get their first win they did find the offense they’ve sorely been lacking. After a nearly two-and-a-half-hour delay from heavy rain and thunder that occurred early in the game, visiting Tennessee Tech derailed WIU 38-24 in... Read more »
By Dan Verdun,
September 22, 2019 at 7:50 am
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3 things we learned: Stalled Saluki drives derail upset bid at Arkansas State

3 things we learned: Stalled Saluki drives derail upset bid at Arkansas State
The Southern Illinois football team outgained Arkansas State by more than 50 yards and outlasted the FBS Red Wolves in time of possession by more than 15 minutes Saturday night. But thanks to four stalled SIU drives inside the Arkansas State 10-yard line, the Salukis (2-2) fell, 41-28, in their final non-conference game of the... Read more »
By Barry Bottino,
September 22, 2019 at 6:00 am
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After missing Manning’s call, ISU QB Brady Davis completes ‘awesome’ experience

After missing Manning’s call, ISU QB Brady Davis completes ‘awesome’ experience
When his phone rang during the off-season with a call from his home area, Illinois State quarterback Brady Davis assumed it was another spammer. “I get all these telemarketer calls from Mississippi and Louisiana, and I just ignore them,” he said. But when he checked his voice messages a few days later, Davis learned that... Read more »
By Barry Bottino,
September 20, 2019 at 4:20 pm
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