EASTERN ILLINOIS PANTHER FOOTBALL

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1 EASTERN ILLINOIS PANTHER FOOTBALL Contact: Rich Moser (217) Fax (217) Game 6 Long Time Coaches Square Off As Eastern Illinois Visits Penn State No. 25 Eastern Illinois (4-1, 2-1 OVC) vs. No. 12 Penn State (4-1, 1-1 Big Ten) Beaver Stadium (107,282) State College, Pa. October 10, a.m. TV: ESPN Classic Quick Facts COACHES: Bob Spoo (Purdue, 1960) EIU Record (22nd year) OVC Record (13th year) vs. Penn State...first meeting Joe Paterno (Brown, 1950) PSU Record (44th year) Overall Record...Same vs. EIU...first meeting SERIES first meeting RANKINGS Eastern Illinois...25/25... Sports Network/FCS Coaches Penn State...12/14...USA Today/AP RADIO Panther Radio Network Hit Mix 88.9 FM - flagship station WHOW 1510 AM & WMKR 94.3 FM Play-by-Play... Mike Bradd Analyst... Jack Ashmore TELEVISION ESPN Classic Play-by-Play...Dave Lamont Analyst...JC Pearson INTERNET Live Stats... Video Stream... The Game Eastern Illinois will face Penn State on Saturday afternoon in a nationally televised game on ESPN Classic. This will mark the first appearance on the network by either school. The game will feature two of the longest tenured head coaches in NCAA Division I football. Joe Paterno heads the list serving as the head man at Penn State since Bob Spoo is tied with Virginia Tech s Frank Beamer for fifth place on that list with both joining their current schools in Eastern Illinois is coming off a tough home loss to Eastern Kentucky in a battle of teams that were tied for first place in the Ohio Valley Conference. The loss was EIU s first of the season and ended their best start to a season since the 1996 campaign. That year they rallied after that first loss to finish at 8-4 losing in the first round of the NCAA FCS playoffs to Northern Iowa. Penn State picked up a road win at Illinois on Saturday as the Nittany Lions improved to 4-1 overall and 1-1 in the Big Ten Conference. This will be Penn State s fifth home game of the season after previously hosting Akron, Syracuse, Temple and Iowa to open the year. THE SERIES This will be the first meeting between Eastern Illinois and Penn State. It will also be the first meeting between a team coached by Bob Spoo against Penn State. Spoo was an assistant coach at Wisconsin and Purdue from and never faced Penn State as the Nittany Lions joined the Big Ten in This will be Eastern Illinois fourth game against a Big Ten opponent with the Panthers having twice faced Illinois (2006 & 2008) and once facing Spoo s alma mater Purdue (2007). Eastern Illinois (4-1, 2-1 OVC) Date Opponent Score/Time Sept. 3 ILLINOIS STATE W 31-6 Sept. 12 at Indiana State W 31-0 Sept. 19 * at Southeast Missouri W Sept. 26 * at Austin Peay W Oct. 3 * EASTERN KENTUCKY L Oct. 10 at Penn State 11 am Oct. 17 * TENNESSEE TECH (HC) 1:30 pm Oct. 24 * at Jacksonville State 1 pm Oct. 31 * at Murray State 1 pm Nov. 14 * UT MARTIN 1:30 pm Nov. 19 * TENNESSEE STATE 5:30 pm * Ohio Valley Conference Game.. All Times Central Penn State (4-1, 1-1 Big Ten) Date Opponent Score/Time Sept. 5 AKRON W 31-7 Sept. 12 SYRACUSE W 28-7 Sept. 19 TEMPLE W 31-6 Sept. 26 * IOWA L Oct. 3 * at Illinois W Oct. 10 EASTERN ILLINOIS 11 am Oct. 17 * MINNESOTA 2:30 pm Oct. 24 * at Michigan TBA Oct. 31 * at Northwestern 3:30 pm Nov. 7 * OHIO STATE TBA Nov. 14 * INDIANA TBA Nov. 21 * at Michigan State TBA * Big Ten Conference Game.. All Times Central Believe In Blue 12 NCAA FCS Playoff Appearances OVC Champs 2006, 2005, 2002, 2001

2 October 10, 2009 Eastern Illinois at Penn State Page SPORTS NETWORK TOP 25 (Week 5) Rk. Team 2009 Record 1. Richmond (106) Villanova (26) Northern Iowa (5) Montana (1) New Hampshire (1) Southern Illinois McNeese State William & Mary Appalachian State Elon Central Arkansas Massachusetts James Madison Eastern Washington Cal Poly Eastern Kentucky South Carolina State Jacksonville State Holy Cross South Dakota State Weber State Florida A&M Colgate Montana State EASTERN ILLINOIS FCS Coaches Poll (Week 5) Rk. Team 2009 Record 1. Richmond (27) Villanova (1) Montana Northern Iowa New Hampshire Southern Illinois McNeese State William & Mary Central Arkansas Appalachian State Elon James Madison Massachusetts Cal Poly Eastern Washington South Carolina State Eastern Kentucky Jacksonville State South Dakota State Holy Cross Weber State Florida A&M Montana State Colgate EASTERN ILLINOIS 4-1 EASTERN ILLINOIS HEAD COACH BOB SPOO The dean of Ohio Valley Conference Coaches, Eastern Illinois head coach Bob Spoo returns to the sidelines for his 22nd season on the sidelines and 23rd season overall. Spoo missed the 2006 season with a medical illness. His career record is at EIU including a mark in OVC action. Since taking over the program in 1987, Spoo has become one of the most respected Longest Tenured Division I Head Coaches (at same school) 1...Joe Paterno (Penn State)...since Bob Ford (Albany)...since Bobby Bowden (Florida State)...since Andy Talley (Villanova)...since Frank Beamer (Virginia Tech)...since Bob Spoo (Eastern Illinois)... since 1987 coaches in the game with numerous assistants moving on to succeed at all levels of the coaching business. He was the 1995 Football Gazette I-AA Coach of the Year and runnerup for the Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year Award in A 1960 graduate of Purdue University, Spoo has coached the Panthers to 8 NCAA FCS playoff berths and ten Top 25 national rankings. This season EIU will play at Penn State matching two of the longest tenured head coaches head-to-head on Oct. 10. penn state HEAD COACH JOE PATERNO Joe Paterno is one of the best known coaching figures in all of sports heading up the list of coaches with NCAA Division I football wins. Paterno was posted a record since taking over the head coaching duties at Penn State in He is the longest tenured coach of a Division I program and has coached the Nittany Lions to two National Championships in 1982 and As a player Paterno was a star quarterback at Brown University earning his degree in SCOUTING PENN STATE The Nittany Lions have traditionally been known for their great linebacker player and outstanding running backs. This season is no exception with linebackers Josh Hull and Sean Lee leading the team in tackles. Hull is the team leader with 52 stops including 5 tackles for loss. Lee was an All-American in 2007 and this year has made 32 tackles with 7.5 for loss. On offense Evan Royster has been the main running back with 410 yards on the season for an average of 82 yards per game. He has four rushing touchdowns. ON THIS DATE IN EIU HISTORY October 10, 1992 Kevin Zeng blocked Steve Krieger s 44-yard field goal attempt with one second remaining as Eastern Illinois hung on for a homecoming win over Indiana State. EIU had driven 80 yards on 15 plays consuming 6:19 on the clock on the previous drive to take the lead on Bill Korosec s one yard touchdown dive. NOT THE FIRST TIME AGAINST A RANKED FBS TEAM Eastern Illinois will not be playing its first game against a nationally ranked FBS team when it heads to Beaver Stadium this weekend but it will be facing the highest ranked. Penn State enters the weekend ranked No. 12 in the USA Today Coaches Poll and No. 14 by the Associated Press. Last season EIU faced No. 24 Illinois losing to the Fighting Illini after missing an opportunity to take the lead late in the second half. The Panthers faced Kansas State in third week of the season in 2002 when the Wildcats were the first team receiving votes in both major polls. EIU trailed in that game at the end of the first quarter before KSU pulled away for a win. knocking OFF THE FBS Eastern Illinois will be playing its 26th game against a team from the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision this Saturday when the Panthers travel to Penn State. This will be the largest crowd that Eastern Illinois has ever played in front of with the previous high set last season at Illinois with 60,131 in attendance. EIU has had some limited success against schools from the FBS with a 4-21 record all-time against FBS schools. All four of those wins have come against schools that currently play in the Mid-American Conference. The first was a win over Akron in 1989 followed by a win over Western Michigan in 1996, Northern Illinois in 1998 and Eastern Michigan in Believe In Blue 12 NCAA FCS Playoff Appearances OVC Champs 2006, 2005, 2002, 2001

3 October 10, 2009 Eastern Illinois at Penn State Page 3 making a second penn state visit While this will be the first trip to Beaver Stadium for nearly all of the Eastern Illinois players, two current Panthers have previously played in front of the 100,000 plus that routinely pack one of the nation s biggest stadiums. Quarterback Jake Christensen and kicker Austin Signor were both members of the Iowa Hawkeyes team that played at Penn State during the 2007 season, a game Penn State won In that game Christensen started at quarterback and was 16-of- 29 for 149 yards passing and one touchdown. He was sacked by the Nittany Lions defense five times. Signor kicked off twice in the game averaging 60 yards per kick. EIU BLOCKS ANOTHER PUNT Eastern Illinois blocked its second punt of the season on Saturday against Eastern Kentucky as Lorence Ricks was able to deflect an early punt attempt by the Colonels. It was the first career block for the redshirt wide receiver who has moved to also playing special teams midway through this season. The other blocked punt this season was by CJ James on Sept. 27 at Austin Peay. On that blocked punt, EIU was able to recover at the Austin Peay nine yard line and score several plays later. nasti returns to panther line-up Linebacker Nick Nasti returned to the Panthers line-up at one of the starting outside linebacker positions after missing two games with a knee injury. Nasti was injured in the Panthers win over Indiana State in the second game of the season. At the time he was leading the Panthers in tackles with 16. On Saturday against Eastern Kentucky he picked up where he left off making eight tackles to rank second on the team. Those eight tackles quickly moved him into a tie for second on the team with starting middle linebacker Gordy Kickels. LEMAN LEADS IN TACKLES Redshirt sophomore linebacker Cory Leman was all over the field against Eastern Kentucky on Saturday as he ranked as the Panthers leading tackler for the third straight game. Leman recorded 9 tackles against the Colonels with one forced fumble and one fumble recovery. For the season he leads EIU with 47 tackles which ranks 41st in the FCS ranks. Last year in his first season at EIU, Leman finished the year third on the team with 61 tackles. His older brother J Leman was an All-American linebacker at Illinois where he ranked 25th in the FBS ranks and 5th in the Big Ten as a senior in The Big Ten leader that year was Penn State linebacker Dan Connor. pennsylvania pro ties While Eastern Illinois and Penn State do not have any athletic ties, the Panthers do have several professional ties to the State of Pennsylvania. Former EIU center Ted Petersen was a starting lineman for the Pittsburgh Steelers on their 1979 and 1980 Super Bowl Championship teams playing with former Penn State star and current radio announcer Jack Ham. Former EIU players Ray Fisher (1958) and Robert Williams (1984) both had brief stints with the Steelers. Current EIU quarterback Jake Christensen s dad, Jeff, had a quick stop as a quarterback with the Philadelphia Eagles during the mid-1980 s. Eastern Illinois alumnus Brad Childress also spent several years with the Eagles as the team s offensive coordinator before taking over as the Minnesota Vikings head coach in TALE OF THE TAPE Points Per Game Average Points Allowed First Downs Rushing Yards Per Game Rushing Touchdowns Passing Yards Per Game Passing Touchdowns Average Yards Per Game Interceptions Thrown Fumbles - Lost Turnovers Gained Punting Average Field Goals (ATT/MADE)...6-for for-6 3rd Down Conversions (52%) (56%) 4th Down Conversions Sacks (Yards)...14 (92) (88) Penalties (Yards)...31 (290) (156) Time of Possession (Game)...30: :48 Statistical Leaders RUSHING YARDS EASTERN ILLINOIS PENN STATE Mon Williams Chevon Walker Evan Royster Stephfon Green PASSING YARDS EASTERN ILLINOIS PENN STATE Jake Christensen Daryll Clark RECEPTIONS EASTERN ILLINOIS PENN STATE Jimmy Potempa...20 Kenny Whittaker...13 Chris Wright...11 Charles Graves...10 EASTERN ILLINOIS Cory Leman...47 Gordy Kickels...24 Nick Nasti...24 Derek Moye...19 Andrew Quarless...16 Chaz Powell...15 Graham Zug...15 TACKLES PENN STATE Josh Hull...52 Sean Lee...32 Drew Astorino...25 INTERCEPTIONS EASTERN ILLINOIS PENN STATE CJ James...2 Carlos Reyna...1 Stephon Morris...1 Nathan Stupar...1 Believe In Blue 12 NCAA FCS Playoff Appearances OVC Champs 2006, 2005, 2002, 2001

4 October 10, 2009 Eastern Illinois at Penn State Page OVC Standings Team... OVC...Pct...All... Pct. Eastern Kentucky Tennessee State Eastern Illinois Tennessee Tech UT Martin Murray State Austin Peay Southeast Missouri Jacksonville State This Week In The OVC Saturday - October 10 Eastern Penn State a.m. Austin Southeast Missouri -- 1 p.m. Tennessee UT Martin - 2 p.m. Jacksonville Murray State -- 3 p.m. Tennessee Eastern Kentucky -- 5 p.m. LAST WEEK S OVC RESULTS Eastern Kentucky 36, Eastern Illinois 31 Jacksonville State 52, UT Martin 7 Tennessee State 23, Southeast Missouri 17 Tennessee Tech 31, Austin Peay 23 Murray State - Open Date OVC Predicted Order Of Finish 1. Eatern Kentucky (10) 2. UT Martin (4) 3. EASTERN ILLINOIS (2) 4. Tennessee State (1) 5. Murray State (1) 6. Tennessee Tech 7. Austin Peay 8. Southeast Missouri * Jacksonville State (first place votes in parenthesis) JSU is not eligible for the OVC Championship or the NCAA FCS playoffs due to an NCAA APR penalty. They can receive votes for both national polls. Eastern Illinois Players On All-OVC Preseason Team Offense Chaz Millard - Offensive Guard EARLY SEASON POINT RACE Austin Signor and Mon Williams are slowly pulling away in the points scoring race for Eastern Illinois this season with both player accounting for 36 points. On the season Williams has scored all six of the Panthers rushing touchdowns while Signor is 6-of-8 on field goal attempts and 18-of-18 on extra points. Both players are currently tied for 36th in the FCS ranks for scoring and first in the Ohio Valley Conference. Williams has scored a touchdown in all five games this season while Signor has knocked home a field goal in four out of five games. The only game he did not kick a field goal in was the win at Southeast Missouri where he did not attempt a kick. eiu still forcing turnovers Eastern Illinois added four more turnovers to its season total on Saturday against Eastern Kentucky as the Panther defense moved up to 13th in the nation in turnovers gained with 12. In 2006 the Panthers led the NCAA FCS ranks with 36 turnovers gained. Under current defense coordinator Roc Bellantoni, the Panthers have forced 207 turnovers since 2002 with a high of 41 turnovers forced in 2005 as they ranked second in the FCS that season. This year they have scored one defensive touchdown off of those 12 turnovers. GETTING IT DONE ON 3RD DOWN Eastern Illinois has been getting the job done on third downs this season as the Panthers are converting at a percent clip for the year. That percentage ranks 4th in the FCS ranks as only six FCS schools are currently converting on third down at 50 percent or higher. On Saturday against Eastern Kentucky, EIU was 6-of-12 on 3rd down conversions. In the FBS ranks only 13 teams are converting 3rd downs at 50 percent or better. Penn State is fourth on that list converting at percent. MILLARD STREAK CONTINUES Senior center Chaz Millard continues his streak of consecutive games without allowing a sack as he played against Eastern Kentucky. Millard has not allowed a sack for 31 straight games playing right guard the last two seasons and center the first five games this year. That streak dates back to Nov. 4, 2006 when Millard allowed a sack to Tennessee State. NO FIELD GOALS TO DATE The Panthers defense has now gone five games this season without allowing a successful field goal attempt. On Saturday against Eastern Kentucky the Colonels lone field goal attempt from 33 yards out turned into a run for loss as the snap was mishandled as the EIU defense was closing in for a blocked field goal attempt. Opposing teams are 0-for-3 in field goal attempts against the Panthers this season. The Panthers as a defense are allowing just 15.2 points per game which ranks first in the Ohio Valley Conference and 12th in the FCS. RUNNING THE CLOCK Eastern Illinois is 4-1 on the season and a large part of that has been the Panthers ability to build an early lead and then run out the clock. In their four wins, EIU has held the ball for eight and a half minutes or more in the fourth quarter while in their one loss they had the ball for only 5:32 of the final period. On the season EIU is averaging 30:42 of possession time per game. AGAINST THE KEYSTONE STATE Eastern Illinois has only played two schools from the State of Pennsylvania prior to making their first appearance at Penn State. The Panthers have previously hosted Division II members California (Pa.) and Lock Haven winning all three match-ups against those schools. POTEMPA USED ALL OVER FIELD Transfer Jimmy Potempa has become a diverse weapon for the Panthers offense as he currently ranked third on the team in rushing yards at 87 and first on the squad with 20 receptions. He has also seen some time as a kick off and punt return specialist. His 305 all purpose yards put him second on the team. HAYNES IN TOP 25 Junior corner back Rashad Haynes moved into the top 25 in the FCS ranks in punt returns following the Panthers game against Eastern Kentucky. Haynes is averaging 9.43 yards per return while his yards per kick off return place 43rd nationally. EIU s top defensive corner, Haynes is fifth on the team with five pass break-ups this year and ranks 11th among active FCS players in interceptions. Believe In Blue 12 NCAA FCS Playoff Appearances OVC Champs 2006, 2005, 2002, 2001

5 October 10, 2009 Eastern Illinois at Penn State Page 5 Eastern Illinois In The OVC/NCAA Stats (2009 stats) TEAM NCAA...OVC Rushing Offense (152.20)...43rd...5th Passing Offense (219.40)... 40th...4th Passing Efficiency (149.63)... 14th...2nd Total Offense (371.60)... 34th...3rd Scoring Offense (29.20)... 32nd...2nd Rushing Defense (94.00)... 22nd...2nd Pass Defense (171.40)... 38th...3rd Pass Efficiency Def. (111.46)...31st... 1st Total Defense (265.40)... 15th... 1st Scoring Defense (15.20)... 12th... 1st Net Punting (33.07)... 70th...7th Punt Returns (8.00)...51st...7th Kickoff Returns (22.40)... 28th...4th Turnover Margin (-0.20)... 69th...7th Turnovers Gained (12)... 13th...2nd Sacks (2.80)...23rd...2nd Tackles For Loss (7.60)... 20th...3rd Sacks Allowed (2.20)... 70th...5th 3rd Down Conversion (52.38)... 4th... 1st 4th Down Conversion (33.33)... 77th...7th 3rd Down Defense (42.25)...93rd...8th Red Zone Offense...103rd...9th Red Zone Defense... 32nd...3rd Time of Possession (30:42)...51st...4th INDIVIDUAL (Top 50) NCAA...OVC Mon Williams (Rushing)... 27th...3rd Jake Christensen (Pass. Eff.)... 15th...3rd Jake Christensen (Total Offense)... 40th...4th Rashad Haynes (Punt Returns)... 25th...4th Rashad Haynes (Kick Returns)...43rd...4th Austin Signor (Field Goals)... 29th...2nd Mon Williams (Scoring)... 36th...T1st Austin Signor (Scoring)... 36th...T1st Cory Leman (Tackles)...41st...2nd Perry Burge (Sacks)... 29th...3rd DECADES BEST Eastern Illinois enters the final season of the decade tied with Eastern Kentucky for the most wins of any OVC school over the last nine years with 68 wins. Overall among FCS schools, EIU ranks 28th tied with Eastern Kentucky. Wins Since Eastern Illinois 68 - Eastern Kentucky 60 - Jacksonville State 47 - Tennessee State 45 - Tennessee Tech 39 - Murray State 38 - UT Martin 37 - Southeast Missouri 33 - Austin Peay AVOIDING THE SHUTOUT Eastern Illinois enters this week with a streak of 71 straight games without being shutout. The last time EIU was held scoreless was Oct. 11, a 41-0 loss versus Eastern Kentucky. The Panthers also have a streak of 26 straight games in which they have scored a touchdown. EIU s longest streak of consecutive games without being shutout was 197 from which ranks fourth all-time among FCS schools. Longest OVC Active Streaks 94 - Jacksonville State 71 - Eastern Illinois 51 - UT Martin 46 - Murray State ncaa fbs transfers Like most schools at the NCAA FCS level, Eastern Illinois has its share of NCAA FBS level transfers into the program. This season EIU added three more FBS players giving them a total of ten FBS transfers. EIU FBS Transfers 2 - Jimmy Potempa (Michigan) 4 - Bodie Reeder (Wyoming) 5 - Chevon Walker (Florida) 7 - Mon Williams (Florida) 11 - Jake Christensen (Iowa) 25 - Shelton Penrow (Florida International) 48 - Austin Signor (Iowa) 63 - Otis Hudson (Minnesota) 92 - Michael Letton (Navy) 99 - Trevor Frericks (Bowling Green) same face, new number Several Eastern Illinois players changed uniforms numbers during the off season including starters Charles Graves and Lorence Ricks. Below are the six players who will be donning a new number for the Panthers this season. Player...New...Old Lorence Ricks Cory Leman Charles Graves Nick Martinez James Cooper Alain Marcelin panthers to play on ESPNU EIU will make its first ever football appearance on ESPNU this season when the Panthers host Tennessee State in the regular season finale. The game was moved to Thursday, Nov. 19 for television purposes and will be a 5 p.m. kick off. EIU currently has every home game televised in the Central Illinois region by WEIU TV. The last nationally televised contest was on CSTV during the 2007 season opener against Tennessee Tech. making the big ten rounds The Panthers will continue to make their trip around the Big Ten Conference this season as they play at Penn State on Oct. 10. After not playing a Big Ten school for more than 100 years of football, EIU will be facing a Big Ten opponent for the fourth straight year. That string will continue over the next two years with a trip to Iowa set for 2010 and Northwestern in WALTERS MAKES THE CUT The Panthers will have yet another face in the National Football League this season as 2008 graduate Pierre Walters was among those players named to the 53-man roster for the Kansas City Chiefs prior to the 2009 NFL season. Walters was a multiple time All-American at Eastern Illinois ending his career third in career tackles for loss at He joins current Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo as active players in the NFL while EIU also has several coaching alumni in the NFL ranks with head coach Sean Payton in New Orleans and head coach Brad Childress in Minnesota. Believe In Blue 12 NCAA FCS Playoff Appearances OVC Champs 2006, 2005, 2002, 2001

6 October 10, 2009 Eastern Illinois at Penn State Page 6 HOW DO YOU SAY THAT - EIU Pronunciation Guide 2...Jimmy Potempa...poe-TIM-pah 8...Cory Leman...coor-EE * Lay-man 12...Bobson Mercier...Mur-sear 30...Sean Sobolewski...so-bo-lou-ski 44...Alain Marcelin... mar-sa-lynn 58...Alex Luhring...lure-Ring 60...Seth Knolhoff... knoll-off 89...Daniel Vehovic...Va-hoe-vick 90...Spyros Bazigos... Spear-ro * bah-zee-gos 94...Andre Lima... lee-mah 95...Nathan Galan... gah-lon 96...Colin Luczynski...Loo-chin-ski 97...Judes Amilcar... jewd-es * AH-mil-car 99...Trevor Frericks... Fra-air-ricks EIU 2008 ROSTER BREAKDOWN BY STATE/YEAR EIU Roster By Home State Illinois Florida Ohio... 5 Wisconsin... 5 Indiana... 3 Arizona... 2 Texas... 2 California... 1 Kentucky... 1 Iowa... 1 EIU Roster By Class Graduate... 1 Senior Junior Sophomore Redshirt Freshman Freshman EASTERN ILLINOIS CAPTAINS OFFENSE 4...Bodie Reeder...Quarterback 74...Chaz Millard...Offensive Guard DEFENSE 1...Adrian Arrington...Rover 9...Seymour Loftman...Free Safety PANTHERS INSTALL NEW VIDEO SCOREBOARD Home games at O Brien Field will have a little different feel this season as the Panthers have installed a new video scoreboard in the north end of the field. The video board also includes a new stateof-the-art sound system. The scoreboard system was purchased from Daktronics, Inc., and will provide a new dimension to the Panthers home game experience. The only catch is that Panther fans will now have to get accustomed to turning north instead of south were the previous scoreboards have stood for 40 years. o brien field turns 40 Eastern Illinois will play its 40th season of intercollegiate football at O Brien Field this season. The field was originally opened as Lincoln Field in 1970 with the Panthers losing the dedication game on Sept. 12 against Indiana State, The field complex was later renamed O Brien Field in honor of former football, track and cross country coach Maynard Pat O Brien. In the 40 years at O Brien, EIU has posted a record (68 percent) with seven undefeated seasons. MILLARD NAMED PRESEASON ALL-AMERICAN Senior Chaz Millard has been named a preseason All- American by several publications after earning honorable mention All-American honors each of the past two seasons at right guard. During the spring due to injuries on the offensive line Millard moved over to the center position and played so well he won the starting job at that spot. He enters the 2009 season with a streak of 26 games without allowing a sack. He graded out at 93 percent last season with 57 decleater blocks. FATHER/SON COMBO When Jake Christensen suits up at quarterback for Eastern Illinois he will join his father as one of two recent Panther father/ son combinations. Christensen s father Jeff played quarterback at EIU from and left as the school s career leading passer with 6,282 yards. He has since fallen to fourth but does still rank in many single season and career top ten lists at EIU. Last season linebacker Shannon Cobb was a member of the Panthers team after his father David was a defensive back on the 1978 EIU Division II National Championship team. LORA REPRESENTS TEAM USA Incoming freshman wide receiver Erik Lora got a little extra football in this summer as he was selected as a member of the junior U.S. National Football Team. Lora competed in the Junior World Football Games helping the USA win gold as he made six catches for 75 yards and one touchdown in the three game tournament. panthers picked 3rd in ovc Eastern Illinois was selected to finish third in the OVC preseason coaches poll that was released mid-summer. The Panthers received two first place votes as five teams received at least one first place vote. Eastern Kentucky was selected to finish first with UT Martin picked second. Probable league favorite Jacksonville State was not eligible for the OVC title based on an NCAA APR penalty for this season. Believe In Blue 12 NCAA FCS Playoff Appearances OVC Champs 2006, 2005, 2002, 2001

7 October 10, 2009 Eastern Illinois at Penn State Page 7 #11 - Jake Christensen (Quarterback) 6-1, 215, Grad., Lockport, Ill. (Iowa) NEW PLAYERS ON THE EIU ROSTER IOWA: 2008: Started two games against Maine and Pittsburgh as Iowa finished the season playing the Outback Bowl... appeared in eight games passing for 396 yards and two touchdowns... was 36-of-63 with one interception Listed as first team quarterback following spring practice... started at quarterback and played every offensive play in opening win over Northern Illinois as offense rushed for 250 yards and gained 383 yards total offense... completed passes for 133 yards and one touchdown, a five-yard toss in the second quarter... started at quarterback in win over Syracuse as offense gained 408 yards total offense... completed passes for 278 yards vs. Syracuse, with four touchdown passes and one interception... scoring strikes covered 52, 36, five and six yards... started at quarterback and played every offensive down in loss at Iowa State, completing attempts for 118 yards, with no turnovers... scored Iowa s only touchdown on 11-yard run in the third period for first career rushing touchdown... started at quarterback and played every offensive down in loss at Wisconsin... completed passes for 169 yards and one touchdown, with no interceptions... also rushed eight times for 11 yards... scoring strike covered 21 yards with four seconds remaining in second period... started at quarterback and played every offensive down in loss to Indiana... completed passes for 308 yards and three touchdowns, with one interception... scoring passes covered 33, 10 and 18 yards... started at quarterback and played every offensive down in loss at Penn State... completed passes for 146 yards, with an 11-yard touchdown strike and no interceptions... started at quarterback and played every offensive down in win over 18thranked Illinois... completed passes for 182 yards and one touchdown, with no interceptions, vs. Illinois... completed 20-yard scoring strike in final minute of third period for only touchdown of the game in 10-6 win... started at quarterback in loss at Purdue... completed passes for 177 yards at Purdue, with one interception, stopping a streak of 111 passes between interceptions... started at quarterback and played every offensive down in double OT win over Michigan State... completed 5-15 passes for 53 yards and one score vs. MSU, with the TD pass covering 23 yards in the first overtime period... started at quarterback and played every offensive down in win at Northwestern as offense gained 299 passing yards and 369 yards total offense... completed passes for 299 yards and one touchdown at Northwestern, with no interceptions... scoring pass covered 20 yards for Iowa s first score of the game... started at quarterback and played every offensive down in win over Minnesota... completed passes for 157 yards and one touchdown, with one interception... connected with TE Brandon Myers on eight-yard scoring pass for first touchdown of the game... started at quarterback and played every offensive down in loss to Western Michigan as offense gained 397 yards total offense... completed passes for 249 yards and three touchdowns vs. Western Michigan, with two interceptions and 45 yards on 12 rushing attempts Listed as third team quarterback following spring practice... saw action in 41-7 win over Montana as offense gained 416 yards total offense... competed all three pass attempts for 19 yards vs. Montana in first action of career... did not see action in win at Syracuse... did not see action in win over Iowa State... did not see action in win at Illinois... did not see action in loss to top-ranked Ohio State... saw action in win over Purdue as offense reached season high marks in points (47) and rushing yards (286)... did not see action in loss at Indiana... did not see action in loss at Michigan... started first game of his career in Northern Illinois, leading offense to 405 yards total offense in win... completed passes for 256 yards and two scores, with one interception... completed scoring passes of six and 10 yards, with final TD pass sealing the victory in the fourth quarter... did not see action in loss to Northwestern... did not see action in loss to Wisconsin... saw action in loss at Minnesota, completing 1-2 passes for 10 yards, with one interception, as offense gained season-best 546 yards total offense... saw action vs. Texas in Alamo Bowl, gaining one yard on two rushing attempts Redshirted... Team Leader Award, offense. HIGH SCHOOL: Earned all-american recognition from USA Today, SuperPrep, Rivals.com and Parade Magazine... named Illinois Player of the Year by Champaign News-Gazette... was first team all-state and all-conference as a senior... earned first team allconference, all-area and all-state honors as a junior after leading prep team to second straight Class 8A state title... Career - - career totals include for 6,555 yards and 69 touchdowns... completed attempts as a senior for 2,874 yards and 36 touchdowns as a senior, with 11 interceptions... passed for 3,681 yards and 33 touchdowns, with five interceptions as a junior, completing pass attempts... earned three letters in football and three letters as baseball outfielder... PERSONAL: - - parents are Linda Freveletti and Jeff Christensen... member of prep Honor Roll for four years... father played with Cincinnati, Philadelphia and Cleveland in the NFL... high school coach was Bret Kooi. #2 - Jimmy Potempa (Running Back) 5-7, 171, R-So., Mundelein, Ill. (Michigan) MICHIGAN: Sophomore (2008): Redshirted at Michigan... Freshman (2007)... played in three games at tailback... made career debut vs. Notre Dame (Sept. 15), rushing twice for nine yards... carried three times for six yards against Eastern Michigan (Oct. 6)... had a one-yard carry vs. Minnesota (Oct. 27)... HIGH SCHOOL: attended Carmel Catholic High School (2007)... National Honor Society member... four-year varsity letterman... played on kickoff team for state championship squad as a freshman... Key Statistics... set school records for career rushing yards and career touchdowns... carried the ball 150 times for 1,368 yards and scored 21 touchdowns as a senior... gained 976 rushing yards and scored 12 TDs junior year... gained 1,203 rushing yards and scored 15 TDs as a sophomore... Honors and Rankings... Class 7A All-State selection from the Illinois High School Coaches Association as a senior... Class 7A Academic All-State senior year... Tom Lemming s Prep Football Report All-Area selection as a sophomore, junior and senior... East Suburban Catholic Conference Offensive Player of the Year as a senior... earned All-East Suburban Catholic Conference honors as sophomore, junior and senior... three-time team MVP... Daily Herald All- Area selection three straight seasons... Other Sports... two-year letterman in track... fourth-place finisher in the 100-meter dash and a fifth-place finisher in the 200-meter dash at the East Suburban Catholic Conference Championship senior year... member of 4x200-meter relay team that won conference title... earned varsity letters in basketball and baseball... PERSONAL: father, Gary, played football at Notre Dame ( )... brother, Dan, played football at Iowa State ( ) and Millikin University ( ). Believe In Blue 12 NCAA FCS Playoff Appearances OVC Champs 2006, 2005, 2002, 2001

8 EIU OFFENSE October. 10, 2009 Eastern Illinois at Penn State Page 8 QUARTERBACK 11...Jake Christensen Grad 4...Bodie Reeder R-Sr RUNNING BACK 7...Mon Williams R-Jr 5...Chevon Walker R-Jr SPLIT 3...Lorence Ricks R-So 81...Chris Wright Fr FLANKER 15...Kenny Whittaker Fr 86...Chavar Watkins R-Fr 22...Erik Lora Fr SLOT 18...Charles Graves R-Jr 2...Jimmy Potempa R-So TIGHT END 89...Danny Vehovic R-Jr 83...Alex Jones R-So LEFT TACKLE 66...Chris Campbell R-Sr 77...Ryan Grossman R-So LEFT GUARD 76...Eric Zink So 67...Mike O Neill R-Fr CENTER 74...Chaz Millard R-Sr 61...Willie Henderson R-So RIGHT GUARD 61...Willie Henderson R-So 70...Chris Vaccaro R-Sr RIGHT TACKLE 63...Otis Hudson R-Sr 66...Chris Campbell R-Sr EIU COACHING STAFF Head Coach: Bob Spoo (Purdue, st year) (Career Record ; OVC Record 61-30) Associate Head Coach/Defensive Coordinator: Roc Bellantoni (9th year) Associate Head Coach/Offensive Coordinator: Roy Wittke (15thth year) Special Teams Coach: Matthew Smiley (1st year) Offensive Line Coach: Jeff Hoover (3rd year) Wide Receivers: Mike Lynch (5th year) Defensive Line: Forrest Jackson (6th year) Secondary Coach: Bobby Babich (3rd year) Offensive Assistant: Jason Fisher (1st year) Defensive Assistant: Chad Cleveland (2nd year) Quality Control Coaches: Nick Kray Trainer: Jen Tymkew (4th year) Strength Coach: Eric Cash (1st year) Volunteer Football Operations: Cole Spencer (1st year) EIU DEFENSE LEFT END 95...Nathan Galan R-Jr 84...Taylor Dunn Sr 32...Artavious Dowdell Fr LEFT TACKLE 94...Andre Lima R-Sr 92...Michael Letton R-Fr RIGHT TACKLE 99...Trevor Frericks R-Sr 90...Spyros Bazigos R-Jr RIGHT END 98...Perry Burge So 96...Colin Luczynski R-Jr OUTSIDE LINEBACKER 8...Cory Leman R-So 44...Alain Marcelin Jr MIDDLE LINEBACKER 46...Gordy Kickels So 8...Cory Leman R-So OUTSIDE LINEBACKER 56...Nick Nasti Jr 49...Sean Campbell R-Jr LEFT CORNERBACK 26...Rashad Haynes R-Jr 24...James Cooper R-Fr ROVER 1...Adrian Arrington R-Sr 12...Bobson Mercier R-Jr FREE SAFETY 9...Seymour Loftman R-Sr 6...Carlos Reyna So RIGHT CORNERBACK 21...CJ James Jr 25...Shelton Penrow R-Sr EIU SPECIALISTS PLACEKICKER 48...Austin Signor R-Sr 38...Jason Baker Fr PUNTER 41...Kevin Cook R-Jr KICK OFFS 48...Austin Signor R-Sr HOLDER 41...Kevin Cook R-Jr LONG SNAPPER 46...Gordy Kickels So 51...Adam Baker Fr PUNT RETURNS 26...Rashad Haynes R-Jr 2...Jimmy Potempa R-So KICK RETURNS 21...CJ James Jr 26...Rashad Haynes R-Jr Believe In Blue 12 NCAA FCS Playoff Appearances OVC Champs 2006, 2005, 2002, 2001

9 October 10, 2009 Eastern Illinois at Penn State Page 9 EASTERN ILLINOIS FOOTBALL INSIDE THE NUMBERS Eastern Illinois Football The Last Time It Happened... Passed for more than 300 yards... Cole Stinson, 308 vs. Tennessee Tech (August 30, 2007) Passed for more than 400 yards... Tony Romo, 414 at Toledo (Sept. 16, 2000) Threw four touchdown passes... Tony Romo, 4 at Tennessee State (Nov. 2, 2002) Rushed for more than 200 yards... Vincent Webb, 206 at Samford (Sept. 23, 2006) Rushed for three touchdowns... Desmin Ward, 3 vs. Tennessee Tech (Nov. 22, 2008) Rushed for four touchdowns... J.R. Taylor, 4 vs. Florida Atlantic (Nov. 16, 2002) Had 10 Receptions... Micah Rucker, 11 vs. Murray State (Oct. 13, 2007) Had 3 touchdown receptions... Micah Rucker, 3 vs. Southeast Missouri (Oct. 7, 2006) Had 200 yards receiving... Frank Cutolo, 239 vs. Tennessee State (Oct. 27, 2001) Returned a punt for a touchdown... Jermaine Mobley, 1 vs. Tennessee State (Oct. 30, 2004) Returned a kick-off for touchdown... Quinten Ponius, 1 at Jacksonville State (Nov. 10, 2007) Returned an interception for touchdown... CJ James, 1 at Indiana State (Sept. 12, 2009) Returned a fumble for touchdown... Irvin Jean-Charles, 1 at Illinois (Sept. 6, 2008) Recorded a safety... Trevor Frericks, 1 vs. Samford (Nov. 17, 2007) Team vs. Southeast Missouri (Sept. 19, 2009) EASTERN ILLINOIS QUICK FACTS LOCATION:...Charleston, Illinois FOUNDED: ENROLLMENT:... 12,129 COLORS:...Blue & Gray CONFERENCE:... Ohio Valley STADIUM:... O Brien Field (10,000) SURFACE:... Pro-Grass PRESIDENT:...Dr. William L. Perry ATHLETIC DIRECTOR:... Barbara Burke O BRIEN PRESS BOX PHONE:... (217) EIU TICKET OFFICE:... (217) EIU SPORTS INFORMATION:... (217) EIU WEBSITE:... MEDIA OPPORTUNITIES & RESOURCES OVC TELECONFERENCE: Each week during the football season all 9 head coaches in the Ohio Valley Conference will take part in a weekly teleconference on Tuesday mornings. The first teleconference will be Tuesday, Sept. 1. EIU head coach will speak at 10:07 a.m. (Central) each Tuesday. Media members can obtain the phone number and pass code from the EIU Sports Information office. EXTRA POINT FOOTBALL LUNCHEONS: Each Wednesday throughout the football season Eastern Illinois will host an Extra Point Media Luncheon which will also be open to the public. The event will take place at Noon at the Panther Paw Bar & Grill in Charleston. Head coach Bob Spoo, assistant coaches and selected players will be available for media interviews along with some questions from the public. PANTHER SPORTS TALK: Each Monday night during the football season fans can listen to head coach Bob Spoo along with other special guests and players as they talk about the 2008 football season. The show will be broadcast on Hit Mix 88.9 FM with a live stream available at The show will also be simulcast live on Consolidated Channel Your 13 with tape delayed airings on Consolidated Your 13 on Wednesdays at 10:30 p.m. Blocked a punt... Lorence Ricks, 1, vs. Eastern Kentucky (Oct. 3, 2009) Returned a blocked punt for touchdown - blocked by... Adrian Arrington, 1 vs. Jacksonville State (Sept. 27, 2008) - Kenny Kinchen Blocked a field goal... Pierre Walters, 1 vs. Austin Peay (Nov. 15, 2008) Returned a blocked field goal for touchdown - block by... Rashad Haynes, 1 vs. Samford (Nov. 17, 2007) - Trevor Frericks OVCSPORTS.TV: For the third straight year, the Ohio Valley Conference will allow fans to watch live streams of its football games through the OVCSPORTS.TV website. Fans can purchase a season package or individual games to watch their favorite OVC team. LIVE STATS: Live stats of most EIU games can be found on the EIU athletics webpage at INTERNET RADIO: Live streaming of all EIU football games can be heard at Won a game on a field goal... Tyler Wilke, 30-yards at Tennessee State (Oct. 27, 2007) Had 15 or more tackles on defense... Cory Leman, 16 at Southeast Missouri (Sept. 19, 2009) Had 3 or more sacks on defense... Kory Lothe, 4 vs. Tennessee Tech (Nov. 8, 2003) PANTHER RADIO NETWORK: Eastern Illinois football can be heard live on the radio via the Panther Football Radio Network. Games will be broadcast by the Voice of the Panthers Mike Bradd with color commentary by Jack Ashmore and sideline reporting of home games by John Twork. Hit Mix 88.9 FM WEIU is the flagship station with games also being carried on WHOW 1510 AM and WMKR 94.3 FM. Believe In Blue 12 NCAA FCS Playoff Appearances OVC Champs 2006, 2005, 2002, 2001

10 October 10, 2009 Eastern Illinois at Penn State Page 10 EASTERN ILLINOIS PLAYOFF HISTORY (FCS/I-AA Playoffs) 2007 (First Carbondale, Ill.) Southern Illinois def. Eastern Illinois, (First Charleston, Ill.) Illinois State def. Eastern Illinois, (First Charleston, Ill.) Southern Illinois def. Eastern Illinois, (First McComb, Ill.) Western Illinois def. Eastern Illinois, (First Charleston, Ill.) Northern Iowa def. Eastern Illinois, (First Missoula, Mont.) Montana def. Eastern Illinois, (First Cedar Falls, Iowa) Northern Iowa def. Eastern Illinois, (First Nacogdoches, Texas) Stephen F. Austin def. Eastern Illinois, (First Moscow, Ida.) Eastern Illinois def. Idaho, Missoula, Mont.) Montana def. Eastern Illinois, (First Charleston, Ill.) Eastern Illinois def. Murray State, NCAA PLAYOFF APPEARANCES School... # Appearances (Last) Montana...19 (2008) Eastern Kentucky...19 (2008) Georgia Southern...16 (2005) Appalachian State (2008) Furman...15 (2006) Northern Iowa...14 (2008) Delaware...14 (2007) McNeese State...13 (2007) EASTERN ILLINOIS...12 (2007) Jackson State...12 (1997) Youngstown State...11 (2006) * Idaho...11 (1995) Idaho currently plays at the NCAA I level Division II Playoffs 1978 (National Champions) Eastern Illinois def. UC Davis, Eastern Illinois def. Youngstown State, Eastern Illinois def. Delaware, (National Runners-up) Eastern Illinois def. Northern Colorado, Eastern Illinois def. Northern Alabama, Cal Poly def. Eastern Illinois, Charleston, Ill.) Eastern Kentucky def. Eastern Illinois, (First Terre Haute, Ind.) Indiana State def. Eastern Illinois, (2OT) 1982 (First Charleston, Ill.) Eastern Illinois def. Jackson State, (OT) 1982 Nashville, Tenn.) Tennessee State def. Eastern Illinois, All-Time Playoff Record: 3-12 Home Record: 2-4 Road Record: 1-8 Believe In Blue 12 NCAA FCS Playoff Appearances OVC Champs 2006, 2005, 2002, 2001

11 October 10, 2009 Eastern Illinois at Penn State Page 11 GAME 1 - Sept. 3, 2009 Illinois State... 6 Eastern Illinois Charleston, Ill. O Brien Field (A: 10,013) Scoring Final Illinois State Eastern Illinois SECOND QUARTER EIU - M. Williams 6 run (Signor kick) (11:59) EIU - Potempa 10 pass from Christensen (Signor kick) (0:14) THIRD QUARTER EIU - Wright 12 pass from Christensen (Signor kick) (8:01) ILS - Graves 3 pass from Kiel (run failed) (3:58) FOURTH QUARTER EIU - Ricks 25 pass from Christensen (Signor kick) (14:53) EIU - Signor 18 field goal (4:18) GAME 2 - Sept. 12, 2009 Eastern Illinois Indiana State... 0 Terre Haute, Ind. Memorial Stadium (A: 2,977) Scoring Final Eastern Illinois Indiana State FIRST QUARTER EIU - Watkins 20 pass from Christensen (Signor kick) (9:30) EIU - James 26 interception return (Signor kick) (9:12) SECOND QUARTER EIU - M. Williams 54 run (Signor kick) (4:41) EIU - Signor 31 field goal (0:00) THIRD QUARTER EIU - M. Williams 30 run (Signor kick) (7:58) GAME 3 - Sept. 19, 2009 Eastern Illinois Southeast Missouri Cape Girardeau, Mo. Houck Stadium (A: 9,053) Scoring Final Eastern Illinois Southeast Missouri FIRST QUARTER EIU - Ricks 42 pass from Christensen (Signor kick) (10:26) SEMO - Scheible 1 run (Spada kick) (4:44) SECOND QUARTER SEMO - Harris 9 run (Spada kick) (1:31) THIRD QUARTER EIU - M. Williams 65 run (Signor kick) (10:33) EIU - Team Safety (10:18) FOURTH QUARTER EIU - Lora 3 pass from Christensen (Signor kick) (13:28) TEAM STATS...EIU... ILS First Downs Rushes-Yards Passing-Yards Comp-Att-Int Total Offense Fumbles-Lost Penalties-Yards Int Returns-Yards-TD Time of Possession...30: :21 Sacks-Yards LEADERS RUSHING (No-Yds-TD) EIU - M. Williams ( ), Walker ( ) ILS - Blow ( ), Gordon (3-8-0) PASSING (Att-Cmp-Int-Yds-TD) EIU - Christensen ( ) ILS - Kiel ( ). Brown ( ) RECEIVING (No -Yds -TD) EIU - Potempa (3-22-1), Watkins (2-39-0) ILS - Cline (6-69-0), Graves (5-23-1) DEFENSE (Tackles - Solo, Assist, TFL) EIU - Nasti (4-5-0), Leman (1-7-0), James (5-0-1) ILS - Malcolm (3-7-0), Phelps ( ) RECAP Transfers Jake Christensen and Mon Williams helped carry the load as Eastern Illinois opened with a convincing 31-6 win over rival Illinois State. Christensen passed for 167 yards completing three touchdowns to three different receivers. Williams paced the Panthers ground game with 87 yards on 16 carries including a score in the second quarter. The Panthers used a two-minute drill drive to end the second quarter as Christensen hit Jimmy Potempa on a 10-yard strike to put EIU up 14-0 at the break. He would connect with Chris Wright in the third quarter as the Panthers extended the lead to The EIU defense was strong against the run limiting the Redbirds to just 20 yards on 26 carries. TEAM STATS...EIU... INS First Downs Rushes-Yards Passing-Yards Comp-Att-Int Total Offense Fumbles-Lost Penalties-Yards Int Returns-Yards-TD Time of Possession...34: :06 Sacks-Yards LEADERS RUSHING (No-Yds-TD) EIU - M. Williams ( ), Ward ( ) INS - Brown ( ), Gates (6-9-0) PASSING (Att-Cmp-Int-Yds-TD) EIU - Christensen ( ) INS - Johnson ( ), Stutzriem ( ) RECEIVING (No -Yds -TD) EIU - Ricks (4-55-0), Graves (3-32-0), Wright (3-26-0) INS - Brown (4-29-0), Gates (3-12-0) DEFENSE (Tackles - Solo, Assist, TFL) EIU - Arrington (2-5-2), Nastin (1-6-0), Leman (0-5-1) INS - Washington (5-5-0), Davis (4-3-2) RECAP Eastern Illinois slammed the door on the Indiana State offense allowing only 24 yards on the ground and 95 yards of total offense during a 31-0 victory. It was the first shutout for the Panther defense since Oct. 7, Jake Christensen hit Chavar Watkins on a 20-yard score to cap EIU s opening drive. CJ James then picked off an Indiana State pass and returned it 26 yards for a touchdown to put the Panthers up 14-0 in the first six minutes. Mon Williams helped close out the game with 113 yards on the ground including touchdown runs from 54 and 30 yards out. TEAM STATS...EIU...SEMO First Downs Rushes-Yards Passing-Yards Comp-Att-Int Total Offense Fumbles-Lost Penalties-Yards Int Returns-Yards-TD Time of Possession...32: :15 Sacks-Yards LEADERS RUSHING (No-Yds-TD) EIU - M. Williams ( ), Walker (8-63-0) SEMO - Scheible ( ), Harris ( ) PASSING (Att-Cmp-Int-Yds-TD) EIU - Christensen ( ) SEMO - Scheible ( ) RECEIVING (No -Yds -TD) EIU - Whittaker (5-55-0), Potempa (5-48-0), Ricks ( ) SEMO - Peoples (4-57-0), Ahamefule (3-16-0) DEFENSE (Tackles - Solo, Assist, TFL) EIU - Leman ( ), Frericks ( ), Lima (1-5-0) SEMO - Klaproth ( ), Woodlief (6-4-0) RECAP Eastern Illinois overcame four offensive fumbles inside the Southeast Missouri 25 yard line as the Panthers responded late for a win. EIU lost fumbles at the SEMO 22 and SEMO 20 before coughing it up twice at the SEMO 1 yard line. Jake Christensen was composed enough to lead the Panthers back from a 14-7 halftime deficit as he finished 19-of-26 for 292 yards. He connected on scoring strikes of 42 yards with Lorence Ricks and 3 yards with Erik Lora. Mon Williams broke loose in the second half for a 65-yard touchdown finishing with 119 yards while Cory Leman led the EIU defense with 16 tackles. Believe In Blue 12 NCAA FCS Playoff Appearances OVC Champs 2006, 2005, 2002, 2001

12 October 10, 2009 Eastern Illinois at Penn State Page 12 GAME 4 - Sept. 26, 2009 Eastern Illinois Austin Peay Clarksville, Tenn. Governors Stadium (A: 4,618) Scoring Final Eastern Illinois Austin Peay FIRST QUARTER EIU - Vehovic 2 pass from Christensen (Signor kick) (10:37) EIU - Whittaker 4 pass from Christensen (Signor kick) (7:28) SECOND QUARTER EIU - M. Williams 3 run (Signor kick) (11:07) AP - Holt 13 run (Stansell kick) (4:00) EIU - Signor 34 field goal (0:18) THIRD QUARTER AP - Holt 1 run (Stansell kick) (9:59) EIU - Signor 42 field goal (2:36) FOURTH QUARTER EIU - Signor 28 field goal (1:12) AP - Thomas 3 pass from Orr (Orr pass failed) (0:35) GAME 5 - Oct. 3, 2009 Eastern Kentucky Eastern Illinois Charleston, Ill. O Brien Field (A: 11,271) Scoring Final Eastern Kentucky Eastern Illinois FIRST QUARTER EKU - Aldrin 4 pass from Pryor (O Connor kick) (6:11) EKU - Team Safety (6:00) EIU - M. Williams 1 run (Signor kick) (1:34) SECOND QUARTER EKU - Pryor 4 run (O Connor kick) (11:15) EIU - Signor 42 field goal (7:52) EIU - Watkins 45 pass from Christensen (Signor kick) (2:42) THIRD QUARTER EIU - Wright 22 pass from Christensen (Signor kick) (11:30) EKU - Harris 31 pass from Pryor (O Connor kick) (5:20) EKU - Walker 1 run (Pryor run failed) (0:23) FOURTH QUARTER EKU - Caldwell 10 interception return (O Connor kick) (11:09) EIU - Whittaker 44 pass from Christensen (Signor kick) (5:05) TEAM STATS...EIU...AP First Downs Rushes-Yards Passing-Yards Comp-Att-Int Total Offense Fumbles-Lost Penalties-Yards Int Returns-Yards-TD Time of Possession...29: :18 Sacks-Yards LEADERS RUSHING (No-Yds-TD) EIU - M. Williams ( ), Cook (1-11-0) AP - White ( ), Holt ( ) PASSING (Att-Cmp-Int-Yds-TD) EIU - Christensen ( ) AP - Orr ( ) RECEIVING (No -Yds -TD) EIU - Potempa (6-17-0), Graves (4-46-0) AP - Holt (5-51-0), Thomas (2-31-1) DEFENSE (Tackles - Solo, Assist, TFL) EIU - Leman (3-9-0), S. Campbell ( ) AP - Hartsfield ( ), A. Smith (4-2-0) RECAP Eastern Illinois jumped on Austin Peay for an early 21-0 lead but the Panthers had to hang on to enjoy a victory. The Governors scored with 35 seconds remaining as Gary Orr hit Scott Thomas on a 3-yard pass. Cory Leman broke up Orr s two-point conversion pass to keep APSU from pulling to within one score. The Panthers opened up with two possessions inside the APSU 30 yard line. CJ James blocked a punt to give EIU the ball on the 9-yard line on the first score while a bad APSU punt on the next possession gave EIU the ball at the 30-yard line. Jake Christensen connected with Danny Vehovic and Kenny Whittaker to score on each of those drives while Austin Signor added on three field goals. TEAM STATS...EIU... EKU First Downs Rushes-Yards Passing-Yards Comp-Att-Int Total Offense Fumbles-Lost Penalties-Yards Int Returns-Yards-TD Time of Possession...25: :30 Sacks-Yards LEADERS RUSHING (No-Yds-TD) EIU - M. Williams ( ), Walker (3-20-0) EKU - Walker ( ), Pryor ( ) PASSING (Att-Cmp-Int-Yds-TD) EIU - Christensen ( ) EKU - Pryor ( ) RECEIVING (No -Yds -TD) EIU - Whittaker (5-82-1), Potempa (4-30-0) EKU - Harris ( ), Phelps (4-69-0) DEFENSE (Tackles - Solo, Assist, TFL) EIU - Leman (4-5-0), Nasti (3-5-0), James (6-0-1) EKU - Fredrick ( ), Dalrymple ( ) RECAP Jeremy Caldwell forced a Jake Christensen fumble with six seconds left in the game to end the Panthers final drive near midfield as Eastern Kentucky won over Eastern Illinois. The two teams combined for nine turnovers and three blocked kicks as the two top teams in the OVC battled down to the final drive. EIU led at the half after Mon Williams scored from 1 yard out and Christensen connected with Chavar Watkins for a 45-yard touchdown. EIU went up on the first drive of the second half as Christensen hit Chris Wright from 22 yards out. However the Panthers could not hold the lead as C.J. Walker gave EKU a lead with a 1-yard run late in the third quarter and Caldwell picked off a Christensen pass and returned it for a score to give the Colonels their final total. Believe In Blue 12 NCAA FCS Playoff Appearances OVC Champs 2006, 2005, 2002, 2001