Panthers Face Another OVC Challenger EIU Plays Tennessee State At LP Field

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1 Eastern Illinois at Tennessee State Saturday - October 27-4:00 p.m. - LP Field Contact: Rich Moser rlmoser@eiu.edu (217) Fax (217) GAME 9 Panthers Face Another OVC Challenger EIU Plays Tennessee State At LP Field No. 25 Eastern Illinois (5-3, 4-1 OVC) at Tennessee State (3-4, 2-1 OVC) LP Field (68,798) Nashville, Tenn. October 27, :00 p.m. TV: None QUICK FACTS COACHES: Bob Spoo (Purdue, 1960) EIU Record (20th year) OVC Record (11th) vs. Tennessee State James Webster (North Carolina, 1972) TSU Record (3rd year) OVC Record (3rd) vs. EIU SERIES 11th meeting (EIU leads 6-4) LAST YEAR EIU 29, TSU 3 at O Brien Stadium RANKINGS Eastern Illinois... RV/25 Tennessee State... Not Ranked... Sports Network/FCS Coaches THE GAME Last year Tennessee State entered their game against Eastern Illinois without star quarterback Antonio Heffner and the Panthers were able to gang up against the Tigers running game during a 29-3 win. This year Heffner will again be absent as he suffered a broken leg last Saturday at Eastern Kentucky. The Panthers again will be looking to shut down the Tigers running game during Saturday s contest at LP Field as both teams need a win to keep pace in the OVC title chase. Game time at LP Field has been moved up and will now be a 4 p.m. start - different from many printed materials. Eastern Illinois enters with a two-game win streak after close calls at Murray State and home against Tennessee Martin. EIU is 5-3 on the year and 4-1 in the OVC, one game behind Eastern Kentucky. EIU has won 19 of its last 21 OVC games. Tennessee State suffered its first OVC lost at Eastern Kentucky last week with the Colonels winning TSU fell to 2-1 in the OVC and 3-4 overall. The Tigers will once again only play seven OVC games this season missing Jacksonville State and Southeast Missouri on this rotation. EASTERN ILLINOIS-TENNESSEE STATE SERIES This will be the 11th meeting between Eastern Illinois and Tennessee State with the Panthers owning a 6-4 series lead. TSU won the first two meetings when EIU joined the OVC in 1998 and Since that time EIU has held the series lead with a 6-1 advantage. Each of the last two seasons, EIU has held TSU to only a field goal posting 27-3 and 29-3 wins. When playing at LP Field, EIU is 2-2 against the Tigers. RADIO Hit Mix 88.9 FM Play-by-Play... Mike Bradd Analyst... Jack Ashmore INTERNET Live Stats... not available Live Video... Eastern Illinois (5-3, 4-1 OVC) Date Opponent Score/Time Aug. 30 * TENNESSEE TECH W Sept. 8 at Purdue L 6-52 Sept. 15 ILLINOIS STATE L Sept. 22 at Indiana State W Sept. 29 * at Southeast Missouri W Oct. 6 * EASTERN KENTUCKY L Oct. 13 * at Murray State W Oct. 20 * TENNESSEE MARTIN W Oct. 27 * at Tennessee State 4 p.m. Nov. 3 Open Date Nov. 10 * at Jacksonville State Noon Nov. 17 * SAMFORD 1:30 p.m. Nov. 24 FCS Playoffs TBA * Ohio Valley Conference Game All Times Central Tennessee State (3-4, 2-1 OVC) Date Opponent Score/Time Sept. 1 ALABAMA A&M L Sept. 8 vs. Jackson State W Sept. 15 * at Ausitn Peay W (ot) Sept. 22 at Southern Univ. L Sept. 29 vs. Florida A&M L Oct. 6 Open Date Oct. 11 * at Tennessee Tech W Oct. 20 * at Eastern Kentucky L 7-49 Oct. 27 * EASTERN ILLINOIS 4 p.m. Nov. 3 * MURRAY STATE 5 p.m. Nov. 8 * at Samford 5 p.m. Nov. 17 * TENNESSEE MARTIN 12:30 p.m. * Ohio Valley Conference Game Times Central

2 October 27, 2007 Eastern Illinois at Tennessee State Page SPORTS NETWORK TOP 25 (Week 9) Rk. Team 2007 Record 1. Northern Iowa (56) North Dakota State (47) Montana (11) Massachusetts (4) McNeese State (2) James Madison Southern Illinois New Hampshire Delaware Appalachian State Wofford Delaware State Yale Richmond Hofstra Elon Eastern Kentucky Nicholls State Montana State Youngstown State Grambling State Georgia Southern Norfolk State Western Illinois The Citadel FCS Coaches Poll (Week 9) Rk. Team 2007 Record 1. North Dakota State (21) Northern Iowa (2) Montana (4) Massachusetts (1) McNeese State James Madison Southern Illinois Delaware New Hampshire Appalachian State Wofford Delaware State Yale Richmond Hofstra Montana State Elon Eastern Kentucky Nicholls State Youngstown State Grambling State Georgia Southern Norfolk State San Diego EASTERN ILLINOIS 5-3 OTHER POLL RANKINGS AnyGivenSaturday.com SME Broadcasters 22nd RV EASTERN ILLINOIS HEAD COACH BOB SPOO Eastern Illinois head coach Bob Spoo returns to the sidelines this season after missing all of last season due to a preseason surgery that was supposed to only sideline the long time face of the Panther program for 4-to-6 weeks. Spoo returned this year for his second run at his 20th season as the EIU head coach winning the season opener over Tennessee Tech. His career record is at EIU including a mark in OVC action. He ranks third all-time in OVC wins trailing Eastern Kentucky s Roy Kidd (207) and Tennessee Tech s Don Wade (60). Spoo is a 1960 graduate of Purdue University. TENNESSEE STATE HEAD COACH JAMES WEBSTER James Webster is in his third season as the head coach at Tennessee State after numerous years as an assistant coach at schools in the ACC and Big 12. Webster has compiled an record at TSU including a 8-9 record in the OVC. Last year s 6-5 record was only the second winning season in the last five years for TSU. Webster is a 1972 graduate of North Carolina where he was the Tar Heel s Defensive MVP in the 1971 Gator Bowl. SCOUTING TENNESSEE STATE The Tigers offense suffered a serious set back on Saturday at Eastern Kentucky when star quarterback Antonio Heffner suffered a broken leg in the first half. As Heffner exited TSU was limited to only 84 yards of total offense the remainder of the game. Javarris Williams is the Tigers top rusher with 678 yards on the season while corner back Dominique Rodgers- Cromartie is one of the best in the FCS level. Shaun Richardson has also developed into a force with six sacks and 11 tackles for loss. NUMBER TO REMEMBER This week is nine -- that is the number of first downs EIU allowed last year when the Panthers defeated Tennessee State, 29-3 at O Brien Stadium. TSU played that game without the services of Antonio Heffner and EIU ganged up on the Tigers running attack allowing only 49 total yards including 38 by star Javarris Williams. Tennessee State will again be without Heffner when they host EIU this Saturday. A LITTLE HISTORY This will be the seventh time that Eastern Illinois has played a game in an NFL Stadium. Starting in 1999 when Tennessee State moved into LP Field, EIU has played three different opponents at NFL venues. EIU is 2-2 all time against TSU when playing at the home of the Tennessee Titans. The Panthers lost to San Diego State in 2001 at Quallcomm Stadium (San Diego Chargers). They also rebounded to win against Florida Atlantic in 2001 with a win at Pro Player Stadium (Miami Dolphins). MATCH-UPS TO WATCH THIS WEEK BATTLE OF TOP OFFENSES On the stat sheet this week should be an offensive show case as it features the top two offensive teams in the Ohio Valley Conference. TSU ranks first in the league in yards per game while EIU is second. While EIU s offense should be at full strength, TSU enters with some questions at quarterback. Back-up quarterback Calvin McNairl was 6-for-12 for 42 yards in a back-up role at Eastern Kentucky. For the season McNairl is 7-for-16. Sophomore Julian Sample, who is listed as a defensive back in the TSU media guide, is slated to be the back-up. QUARTERBACK PROTECTION Eastern Illinois will be facing one of the top pass rushers in the OVC this week with TSU s Shaun Richardson. He has six sacks on the year and 11 tackles for loss. As a unit TSU has 14 total sacks. While TSU features one stand out pass rusher, EIU s entire defensive unit has been getting pressure on the quarterback coming up with six sacks in the last two games. Those six sacks have come by five different players with four of them playing defensive line. Only Trevor Frericks has multiple sacks in the last two weeks with one each at Murray State and against Tennessee Martin.

3 October 27, 2007 Eastern Illinois at Tennessee State Page 3 LAST TIME OUT Adrian Arrington made a tackle at the one yard line with one second left and Tennessee Martin spiked the ball as time expired to hand Eastern Illinois a victory. The Panthers had take the lead as Bodie Reeder marched EIU down the field hitting Micah Rucker and Ademola Adeniji on the drive. Travorus Bess broke a 25-yard run to put EIU in field goal range, but Adeniji scored a touchdown two plays later to put EIU up for good. The Panthers trailed 20-7 at one point before rallying for the win. Rucker hauled in seven passes for 98 yards and two touchdowns. It was the eighth straight homecoming win for the Panthers. THOMAS STILL A BUCHANAN CANDIDATE Senior Donald Thomas was still among the list of 16 candidates for the Buck Buchanan Award presented annually to the nation s top FCS defensive player. The mid-season list was announced late last week and contained two players from the Ohio Valley Conference. Thomas was joined by Tennessee State corner back Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie. For the season Thomas leads EIU with 55 tackles including four tackles for loss. Thomas missed Saturday s game with a foot bruise but is expected back this week at Tennessee State. FIRST PICK OF THE YEAR Eastern Illinois string of passes without an interception ended at 218 on Saturday afternoon as Tennessee Martin was able to end the streak in the third quarter. EIU signal callers Bodie Reeder and Cole Stinson had combined to set the school and OVC record for consecutive passes without an interception. The FCS record is 275 set by Lamar University in 1988, the Cardinals dropping football after the 1989 season. While EIU now holds the OVC record it may be broken later this year as Eastern Kentucky has put together a string of 175 straight passes without an interception. Western Kentucky holds the OVC record for games without an interception going the entire 2000 season without a pick off. That team only threw the ball 100 times. The Panthers are now tied with the University of San Diego as the nation s leaders with both teams only have thrown one interception to date. Seven more schools sit right behind them with only two interceptions all season, one of those schools is New Hampshire which features last year s Payton Award winner Ricky Santos. Cradle of NFL Coaches Still Rockin 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)...4-for for-8 3rd Down Conversions...50/111 (45%)... 37/103 (36%) 4th Down Conversions... 6/14 (43%)... 3/12 (25%) Sacks (Yards)...11 (72) (126) Penalties (Yards)...43 (338) (626) Time of Possession (Game)...29: :30 Last season Eastern Illinois earned the distinction of being the new cradle for NFL head coaches as they became one of only three NCAA schools that could claim three current NFL head coaches as alumni. All three of those schools are still deadlocked but EIU now has a one-up on the other schools after former Panther quarterback and current New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton was named the 2006 NFL Coach of the Year. EIU Head Coaches Mike Shanahan...Denver Broncos Sean Payton... New Orleans Saints Brad Childress...Minnesota Vikings San Diego State Joe Gibbs (Washington) John Fox (Carolina) Herman Edwards (Kansas City) USC Mike Holmgren (Seattle) Jeff Fisher (Tennessee) Jack Del Rio (Jacksonville) SACKS STARTING TO COME After back-to-back games without a sack, Eastern Illinois defense is finding its stride mid-season as the Panthers have sacked opposing quarterbacks six times in the last two games. Against both Murray State and Tennessee Martin, EIU was able to record three sacks in both contests. For the season EIU now has 11 sacks as eight different players have been credited with a sack. Over the past two games five different players earned a sack with only Trevor Frericks recording more than one with 1.5 in those contests. EIU SACK LEADERS Pierre Walters - 2 sacks for 14 yards Michael Torres - 2 sacks for 6 yards Jeff Sobol 2 sacks for 15 yards Trevor Frericks sacks for 16 yards

4 October 27, 2007 Eastern Illinois at Tennessee State Page OVC Standings Team... OVC...Pct...All... Pct. Eastern Kentucky Eastern Illinois Jacksonville State Tennessee State Austin Peay Tennessee Tech Samford Murray State Tennessee Martin Southeast Missouri This Week In The OVC Saturday - October 27 Eastern Tennessee State * Eastern Murray State * Tennessee Tech * Southeast Tennessee Martin * THE EASTERN ILLINOIS 2-MINUTE DRILL... Senior Donald Thomas missed only the second game of his four year career on Saturday with a bruised foot he suffered at Murray State. Thomas last missed a game his freshman season against Murray State on October 16, While Donald Thomas streak of consecutive starts ended, EIU senior Tim Kelly has now started in all 44 games of his career. The defensive tackle has 130 career tackles with 24 this season. He also has six career sacks and 16.5 tackles for loss. Ademola Adeniji continues his pursuit of 1,000 yard season. Adeniji needs 305 yards over the Panthers final three games to crack the century mark. This season he has two break out games of 186 and 197 yards. He ranks third in OVC games at 113 yards per game while averaging 86.9 yards per game in all contests, good for 51st in the nation. Micah Rucker hauled in seven more passes on Saturday to give him 48 on the year, one less than last year s total. Rucker need s three catches to give him 100 for his career. He also has 1,665 career receiving yards and 20 touchdown receptions. Next Week In The OVC Saturday - November 3 Austin Southeast Missouri * Jacksonville Samford * Murray Tennessee State * Tennessee Auburn OVC Predicted Order Of Finish 1. EASTERN ILLINOIS (8) 2. Jacksonville State (6) 3. Tennessee Martin (4) 4. Eastern Kentucky (1) 5. Tennessee State (1) 6. Tennessee Tech 7. Murray State 8. Southeast Missouri 9. Samford 10. Austin Peay Freshman Alain Marcelin was called into duty on Saturday afternoon and stepped up to the task making a team high eight tackles (4 solo, 4 assisted). Marcelin now has 15 tackles for the season playing in all eight games. Jeff Sobol had one of his best days in an EIU uniform on Saturday wreaking havoc in the Skyhawks backfield. Sobol made four tackles with three for loss and one sack. He also was credited with two quarterback hurries. For the season Sobol is second on the team with seven tackles for loss and tied for first with two sacks. His four quarterback hurries are also a team high. Eastern Illinois made it 25 straight weeks of being ranked in a major FCS poll. The Panthers landed at No. 25 in this week s FCS Coaches poll. The current streak dates back to the 2005 season. Quarterback Bodie Reeder has moved into the NCAA Top 20 for passing efficiency as Reeder has a rating of Reeder currently leads the OVC in that category. The national leader is San Diego quarterback Josh Johnson at Former EIU quarterback Tony Romo ranked in the Top 10 from with a high rating of in Eastern Illinois Players On All-OVC Preseason Team Offense Micah Rucker - Wide Receiver Jordan Campanella - Tight End Anthony Rubican - Offensive Tackle Defense Pierre Walters - Defensive End Donald Thomas - Linebacker Seymour Loftman - Safety Weekly OVC Award Winners (October 21) Offense - Chris Fletcher (APSU) Defense - Derrick Huff (EKU) Special Teams - Sean O Brien (MUR) Newcomer - Chris Evans (SAM) Punter Kevin Cook dropped to third in the national punting race after a four punt average of 43.8 on Saturday. Cook is averaging per punt this season as four national punters are averaging between 45 and 46 yards per kick. On the year Cook has punted 31 times with 12 kicks over 50 yards. He has pinned seven kicks inside the 20. EIU enters the week tied for 11th nationally in rushing touchdowns as the Panthers punched in their 20th score on the ground Saturday. Southern Illinois is the national leader with 28 rushing touchdowns. Ademola Adeniji ranks tied for 14th in the nation for rushing touchdowns. The national leader is Mike McLeod of Yale with 18. Tyler Wilke added to his streak of consecutive extra points with three more on Saturday making him a perfect 27-for-27 this season in that category. EIU s only misses this season have come once by Zach Yates and two times on bobbled snaps that turned into failed runs for the conversion. Speaking of conversions, Eastern Illinois was successful on a two-point conversion on Saturday for the first time since Nov. 13, 2004 as Bodie Reeder hit Trent Steckel for the conversion against Tennessee Martin. The last successful attempt in 2004 was in a loss at Jacksonville State. That two-point conversion was also a pass as Matt Schabert hit Ryan Voss following the Panthers final score in the set back.

5 October 27, 2007 Eastern Illinois at Tennessee State Page 5 RED ZONE SUCCESS Eastern Illinois has been one of the best in the Ohio Valley Conference this year in scoring touchdowns in the red zone and also not allowing red zone touchdowns. The Panthers lead the OVC with 25 touchdowns scored while inside the red zone during 29 red zone scores. Eastern Kentucky is second with 20 touchdowns coming in their 30 converted red zone scoring drives. On the flip side, EIU has only allowed 15 touchdowns this season during 33 total red zone chances by opponents. Only Jacksonville State has done better limiting the opposition to only 10 touchdowns. SEEING SOPHOMORES Eastern Illinois had a rarity on its offensive line during Saturday s win over Tennessee Martin. Due to an early week injury to senior center Drew Cairo-Gross, EIU was forced to start five sophomore offensive lineman for the game. Chris Vaccaro, who has missed most of the season with a leg injury, was called into action and did a solid job at center during his first career start. The remainder of the sophomore unit included Chaz Millard, Will Norris and Kevin Mahoney all starters for every game this year. Inserted two weeks ago into the starting line-up was Mike Schiebel at tackle replacing Anthony Rubican who was injured at Southeast Missouri. Cairo- Gross may be out for the season while Rubican is expected to return for the game at Jacksonville State. SPECIAL TEAMS STARTERS In addition to naming starters on offense and defense, EIU special teams coordinator Justin Lustig has named three players as special teams starters. Those players are recognized for the contributions they make on special teams and to show what an important facet of the game special teams is. This year s special teams starters are seniors Ademola Adeniji and Nick Kray along with junior Quinten Ponius. A special teams starter can not be a starter at an offensive or defensive position. OUT FOR THE YEAR Eastern Illinois athletic training staff has announced that the following players will miss the entire season for a medical redshirt. The list includes junior wide receiver Adam Kesler, junior safety Seymour Loftman, senior linebacker Stephen Washington and senior offensive lineman William Hodor. Sophomore Nathan Shortridge was added to that list in week No. 2. Junior fullback Chip Keys who suffered a broken ankle at Southeast Missouri. MEDIA OPPORTUNITIES & RESOURCES OVC TELECONFERENCE: Each week during the football season all 10 head coaches in the Ohio Valley Conference will take part in a weekly teleconference on Tuesday mornings. The first teleconference will be Tuesday, August 28. 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, a selected assistant coach and selected player will be available for media interviews along with some questions from the public. A lunch buffet will be available with a cost of $6 per person. 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 2007 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 WEIU TV on Tuesday at 5 p.m. and Consolidated Your 13 on Wednesdays at 10:30 p.m. OVCSPORTS.TV: For the second 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. This year EIU will have seven of its eleven games available on OVCSPORTS.TV. The only games not available will be road games at Purdue, Indiana State and Jacksonville State along with the home opener against Tennessee Tech. 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 WHERE THEY RANK IN 2007 Category... NCAA (Statistics)... OVC (Leader)...FCS LEADER (Statistics) Rush Offense... 35th (183.75)... 4th (Southeast Missouri)...Georgia Southern (340.71) Pass Offense... 44th (219.50)... 2nd (Tennessee Martin)...Brown (344.17) Total Offense... 32nd (403.25)... 2nd (Tennessee State)...San Diego (499.14) Scoring Offense... 33rd (29.25)... 3rd (Eastern Kentucky)...San Diego (49.57) Rush Defense... 48th (146.00)... 3rd (Jacksonville State)...Morehead State (22.71) Pass Efficiency Defense... 74th (130.52)... 6th (Eastern Kentucky)...Norfolk State (89.12) Total Defense... 61st (366.00)... 4th (Tennessee Tech)...Lafayette (251.14) Scoring Defense... 57th (26.38)... 4th (Jacksonville State)...Prairie View (10.50) Turnover Margin... 59th (-0.13)... 5th (Eastern Kentucky)...Eastern Kentucky (2.13) Sacks... 99th (1.25)... 8th (Jacksonville State)...Dayton (4.50) Least Sacks Allowed... T 16th (1.00)... 2nd (Samford)...Pennsylvani (0.33)

6 October 27, 2007 Eastern Illinois at Tennessee State Page 6 THE RUCKER REPORT MICAH RUCKER - ALL-AMERICAN Eastern Illinois senior wide receiver Micah Rucker has become one of the most prolific scoring and receiving threats in Panther history. As a junior transfer from Minnesota he earned All-American honors in 2006 with 49 catches for 966 yards and 13 touchdowns. The 966 yards ranks as the sixth best single season total at EIU while the 13 touchdowns tied for second on the single season list. THE THOMAS FILE DONALD THOMAS - ALL-AMERICAN Eastern Illinois senior linebacker Donald Thomas is the latest Panther defensive player to start the season as a Buck Buchana Award nominee. Thomas was the OVC Defensive Player of the Year last season making 127 tackles to lead EIU. He also added two interceptions, four fumble recoveries, one sack and 12 tackles for loss. Thomas had seven games with ten or more tackles last season including a career-high 16 in the conference championship win over Jacksonville State Game Totals Opponent...Rec...Yards... TD 8/30 Tennessee Tech /8 at Purdue /15 Illinois State /22 at Indiana State /29 at Southeast Missouri /6 Eastern Kentucky /13 at Murray State /20 Tennessee Martin Career 100-Yard Games Opponent...Rec...Yards... TD 10/13/07 at Murray State /30/07 Tennessee Tech /18/06 Jacksonville State /7/06 Southeast Missouri /9/06 Indiana State /2/06 at Illinois Multiple-TD Games Opponent...Rec...Yards... TD 10/20/07 Tennessee Martin /30/07 Tennessee Tech /18/06 Jacksonville State /11/06 at Tennessee Tech /7/06 Southeast Missouri /16/06 at Illinois State /9/06 Indiana State Game Totals Opponent...Tackles... TFL...FF 8/30 Tennessee Tech /8 at Purdue /15 Illinois State /22 at Indiana State /29 at Southeast Missouri /6 Eastern Kentucky /13 at Murray State /20 Tennessee Martin... DNP Due To Injury... Career Double Digit Tackle Games Opponent...Tackles... TFL...FF 10/6/07 Eastern Kentucky /22/07 at Indiana State /8/07 at Purdue /18/06 Jacksonville State /11/06 at Tennessee Tech /4/06 Tennessee State /28/06 at Tennessee Martin /14/06 at Eastern Kentucky /16/06 at Illinois State /2/06 at Illinois /19/05 at Jacksonville St /22/05 at Murray State /17/05 Illinois State

7 October 27, 2007 Eastern Illinois at Tennessee State Page 7 Based on a late season hire and several fall camp additions the following players and one coach were not in the media guide. Listed below are key player bios that may see action this season. Other players not in the media guide are also listed at the bottom. Bobby Babich - Defensive Secondary Coach Babich was hired in July as the newest member of the EIU staff... he worked last year as a graduate assistant coach at Kent State... Babich is a 2006 graduate of North Dakota State where he played defensive back for the Bison leading the team in interceptions as a senior. 23 John Gadson (WR, 5-10, 170, R-FR, Ocala, FL) Gadson was a Top 100 recruit in 2006 as rated by Rivals.com... redshirted at EIU last year as an NCAA non-qualifier... set two records at Fleming Island HS including yards receiving in a season and a 97-yard kick off return. 36 Drew Spies (FB, 6-0, 215, JR, Barrington, IL) Spies made team as a walk-on in the fall and could see time on special teams... played at Barrington HS... also attended Phoenix College in Arizona for two years. 62 Ryan Keys (LB, 6-1, 225, JR, Paris, IL) Keys returns to the EIU team after being a scout team player for the 2005 OVC Championship team... brother Chip also plays for Panthers as a fullback on offense... was an All-Conference player at Paris HS. HOW DO YOU SAY THAT - EIU Pronunciation Guide 3..Ke Andre Sams... KEY-on-Dre 4..Bodie Reeder... Read-err 6..Sinque Turner... sin-q 7..Alicus Nozinor...Al-ah-cuss 8..Travorus Bess...Tra-vore-us 12..Bobson Mercier...Mur-see-air 15..Quinten Ponius... Pony-knee-us 18..Joel Evers... Joe-L 24..Irvin Jean-Charles... Jean (like blue jeans) 36..Drew Spies...sp-EEZE 37..Ademola Adeniji... Add-ah-nidge-E 51..Alain Marcelin... mar-sa-lynn 55..Corey Leman...Lay-man 60..Seth Knolhoff... Noll-off 65..Trevor Frericks... Fra-air-ricks 79..Matthew Buettner...Bit-ner 89..Daniel Vehovic...Va-hoe-vick 94..Andre Lima... lee-mah 96..Colin Luczynski...Loo-chin-ski Coach Jorge Munoz...George 87 Charles Graves (WR, 6-1, 175, SO, Aurora, IL) Graves joined team during fall camp after playing at NCAA Division II Upper Iowa College last season... may see playing time on special teams... All-Conference player at West Aurora HS. 29 Mike LaRocco (RB, 5-9, 191, R-FR, Chicago, IL) 39 Nick McHenry (WR, 5-8, 160, FR, Oak Forest, IL) 52 Haakim Lewis (DL, 6-0, 290, FR, Oswego, IL) 79 Matt Buettner (OL, 6-2, 284, FR, Collinsville, IL) EASTERN ILLINOIS QUICK FACTS LOCATION:... Charleston, Illinois FOUNDED: ENROLLMENT:...12,129 COLORS:... Blue & Gray CONFERENCE:...Ohio Valley STADIUM:...O Brien (10,000) SURFACE:...Pro-Grass PRESIDENT:...Dr. William L. Perry ATHLETIC DIRECTOR:... Ken Baker (Interim) O BRIEN PRESS BOX PHONE:...(217) EIU TICKET OFFICE:...(217) EIU SPORTS INFORMATION:...(217) EIU WEBSITE:... EIU 2007 ROSTER BREAKDOWN BY STATE/YEAR EIU Roster By Home State Illinois Florida Ohio... 3 Indiana... 2 Missouri... 2 Alabama... 1 California... 1 Idaho... 1 EIU Roster By Class (includes redshirts) Senior Junior Sophomore Freshman EASTERN ILLINOIS CAPTAINS OFFENSE 63..Drew Cairo-Gross...Center 80..Micah Rucker...Wide Receiver DEFENSE 54..Donald Thomas... Linebacker 90..Tim Kelly...Defensive Tackle

8 October 27, 2007 Eastern Illinois at Tennessee State Page 8 EASTERN ILLINOIS PLAYOFF HISTORY (FCS/I-AA Playoffs) 2006 (First Charleston, IL) Illinois State def. Eastern Illinois, (First Charleston, IL) Southern Illinois def. Eastern Illinois, (First McComb, IL) Western Illinois def. Eastern Illinois, (First Charleston, IL) Northern Iowa def. Eastern Illinois, (First Missoula, MT) Montana def. Eastern Illinois, (First Cedar Falls, IA) Northern Iowa def. Eastern Illinois, (First Nacogdoches, TX) Stephen F. Austin def. Eastern Illinois, (First Moscow, ID) Eastern Illinois def. Idaho, Missoula, MT) Montana def. Eastern Illinois, Charleston, IL) Eastern Kentucky def. Eastern Illinois, (First Terre Haute, IN) Indiana State def. Eastern Illinois, (2OT) 1982 (First Charleston, IL) Eastern Illinois def. Jackson State, (OT) 1982 Nashville, TN) Tennessee State def. Eastern Illinois, *** Note *** Eastern Illinois has made the NCAA FCS Playoffs 11 times since joining that level of football in The 11 playoff appearances currently ranks 10th among active FCS level schools. 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, (First Charleston, IL) Eastern Illinois def. Murray State, 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... Ademola Adeniji, 3 at Murray State (Oct. 13, 2007) 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... Andre Raymond, 1 vs. Indiana State (Sept. 21, 2002) Returned an interception for touchdown... Terrance Sanders, 1 vs. Illinois State (Nov. 25, 2006) Returned a fumble for touchdown... Tristan Burge, 1 at Murray State (Oct. 22, 2005) Blocked a punt... Rashad Haynes, 1 at Indiana State (Sept. 22, 2007) Returned a blocked punt for touchdown - blocked by... Quinten Ponius, 1 at Indiana State (Sept. 22, 2007) - Rashad Haynes

9 EIU OFFENSE October 27, 2007 Eastern Illinois at Tennessee State Page 9 EASTERN ILLINOIS 2-DEEP vs. Tennessee State (October 27) QUARTERBACK 4...Bodie Reeder R-So 13...Cole Stinson Sr RUNNING BACK 37...Ademola Adeniji R-Sr 8...Travorus Bess R-Jr WIDE RECEIVER 80...Micah Rucker R-Sr 18...Joel Evers R-So WIDE RECEIVER 84...Jason Fisher R-Sr 15...Quinten Ponius R-Jr WIDE RECEIVER 7...Alicus Nozinor R-Jr 15...Quinten Ponius R-Jr TIGHT END 43...Trent Steckel R-Jr 88...Jordan Campanella Sr LEFT TACKLE 72...Will Norris R-So 66...Chris Campbell R-So LEFT GUARD 75...Kevin Mahoney R-So 76...Ryan Spears R-Sr CENTER 70...Chris Vaccaro R-So 74...Chaz Millard R-So RIGHT GUARD 74...Chaz Millard R-So 68...Mike Scheibel R-So RIGHT TACKLE 68...Mike Scheibel R-So 75...Kevin Mahoney R-So EIU COACHING STAFF Head Coach: Bob Spoo (Purdue, th year) (Career Record ; OVC Record 57-20) Assistant Head Coach/Defensive Coordinator: Roc Bellantoni (7th year) Offensive Coordinator: Jorge Munoz (3rd year) Special Teams Coach: Justin Lustig (2nd year) Offensive Line Coach: Jeff Hoover (1st year) Wide Receivers: Mike Lynch (3rd year) Defensive Line: Shannon Jackson (3rd year) Secondary Coach: Bobby Babich (1st year) Offensive Assistant: Antoine Livingston (2nd year) Defensive Assistant: Forrest Jackson (4th year) Student Coach: Chad Cleveland (2nd year) Trainer: Jen Tymkew (2nd year) Strength Coach: Michael Hall (2nd year) EIU DEFENSE LEFT END 99...Michael Torres R-Sr 93...Ryan Bennett R-Jr LEFT TACKLE 90...Tim Kelly Sr 94...Andre Lima R-So RIGHT TACKLE 97...Jeff Sobol R-Jr 65...Trevor Frericks R-So RIGHT END 91...Pierre Walters R-Jr 30...Donovan Johnson R-Jr OUTSIDE LINEBACKER 28...Jack Kosinski R-Jr 59...James Larson R-Jr MIDDLE LINEBACKER 54...Donald Thomas Sr 51...Alain Marcelin Fr OUTSIDE LINEBACKER 47...Matt Westrick Sr 56...Nick Nasti Fr LEFT CORNERBACK 6...Sinque Turner Sr 12...Bobson Mercier R-Fr ROVER 3...Ke Andre Sams Jr 24...Irvin Jean-Charles Jr FREE SAFETY 1...Adrian Arrington Jr 31...Louis Cairo R-Fr RIGHT CORNERBACK 26...Rashad Haynes R-Fr 21...CJ James Fr EIU SPECIALISTS PLACEKICKER 33...Tyler Wilke R-Jr 27...Zach Yates Jr PUNTER 41...Kevin Cook R-Fr KICK OFFS 33...Tyler Wilke R-Jr HOLDER 41...Kevin Cook R-Fr LONG SNAPPER 50...Brady Woolverton R-Jr PUNT RETURNS 7...Alicus Nozinor R-Jr 15...Quinten Ponius R-Jr KICK RETURNS 15...Quinten Ponius R-Jr 21...CJ James Fr

10 October 27, 2007 Eastern Illinois at Tennessee State Page 10 GAME 1 - August 30, 2007 Tennessee Tech Eastern Illinois Charleston, IL/O Brien Stadium A: 6935 Scoring Final Tennessee Tech Eastern Illinois FIRST QUARTER EIU - Gadson 13 run (Wilke kick) (12:14) TTU - Kraemer 27 field goal (7:21) TTU - Shipp 15 pass from Sweeney (Kraemer kick) (1:03) SECOND QUARTER EIU - Wilke 29 field goal (9:36) EIU - Rucker 31 pass from Stinson (Wilke kick) (2:26) EIU - Keys 3 run (Wilke kick) (2:07) THIRD QUARTER EIU - Rucker 18 pass from Stinson (Wilke kick) (11:29) TTU - Jackson 2 run (Kraemer kick) (1:06) FOURTH QUARTER EIU - Keys 1 run (Wilke kick) (14:56) EIU - Adeniji 1 run (Wilke kick) (2:48) TTU - Waters 19 pass from Sweeney (Kraemer kick) (0:37) GAME 2 - Sept. 8, 2007 Eastern Illinois... 6 Purdue West Lafayette, IN/Ross-Ade Stadium A: 52,504 Scoring Final Eastern Illinois Purdue FIRST QUARTER PUR - Standeford 13 pass from Painter (Summers kick) (12:30) PUR - Summers 39 field goal (10:44) EIU - Wilke 24 field goal (6:11) PUR - Orton 20 pass from Painter (Summers kick) (3:10) SECOND QUARTER PUR - Keller 37 pass from Painter (Summers kick) (9:34) PUR - Keller 3 pass from Painter (Summers kick) (3:09) THIRD QUARTER PUR - Bryant 10 pass from Painter (Summers kick) (8:18) EIU - Wilke 27 field goal (2:26) FOURTH QUARTER PUR - Wasikowski 1 pass from Painter (Summers kick) (12:37) PUR - Dierking 4 run (Summers kick) (3:45) GAME 3 - Sept. 8, 2007 Illinois State Eastern Illinois Charleston, IL/O Brien Stadium A: 9,028 - Hall-of-Fame Day Scoring Final Illinois State Eastern Illinois FIRST QUARTER ILST - Harcar 6 pass from Drone (Funk kick) (10:23) EIU - Adeniji 8 run (Wilke kick) (5:40) SECOND QUARTER ILST - Funk 23 field goal (13:22) EIU - Rucker 7 pass from Stinson (Wilke kick) (8:54) ILST - Meredith 22-pass from Drone (Funk kick) (0:16) FOURTH QUARTER EIU - Keys 1 run (Wilke kick) (13:05) ILST - Rice 2 run (Funk kick) (6:52) TEAM STATS...EIU... TTU First Downs Rushes-Yards Passing-Yards Comp-Att-Int Total Offense Fumbles-Lost Penalties-Yards Int Returns-Yards-TD Time of Possession...27: :48 Sacks-Yards LEADERS RUSHING (No-Yds-TD) EIU - Bess , Gadson TTU - White , Jackson PASSING (Att-Cmp-Int-Yds-TD) EIU - Stinson TTU - Sweeney RECEIVING (No -Yds -TD) EIU - Rucker , Nozinor TTU - Shipp , Solima DEFENSE (Tackles - Solo, Assist, TFL) EIU - Sams 4-5-0, Turner 5-3-1, Westrick TTU - Smith 6-5-0, Williams RECAP Senior Cole Stinson tossed for a career-high 308 yards hitting 19-of-26 passes with two touchdowns as the Panthers routed Tennessee Tech in the conference opener for both teams. TTU lead 10-7 in the first quarter as Lee Sweeney hit Larry Shipp for a 15-yard score with 1:03 left in the first. EIU scored the next 24 points and put the contest out of reach as Micah Rucker hauled in 9 passes for 169 yards and two touchdowns. Chip Keys also scored two short yardage touchdowns as the Panthers improved to 11-1 in Ohio Valley Conference openers. The EIU defense limited TTU to only 83 yards rushing including one yard rushing in the second quarter. The Panthers also forced three turnovers. TEAM STATS...EIU... PUR First Downs Rushes-Yards Passing-Yards Comp-Att-Int Total Offense Fumbles-Lost Penalties-Yards Int Returns-Yards-TD Time of Possession...23: :22 Sacks-Yards LEADERS RUSHING (No-Yds-TD) EIU - Bess , Adeniji PUR - Taylor , Dierking PASSING (Att-Cmp-Int-Yds-TD) EIU - Stinson PUR - Painter RECEIVING (No -Yds -TD) EIU - Rucker , Ponius PUR - Bryant , Orton DEFENSE (Tackles - Solo, Assist, TFL) EIU - Thomas 7-3-0, Turner 5-2-0, Walters PUR - Heygood 6-1-2, Ferguson RECAP All-American candidates Curtis Painter and Dorien Bryant both had big days as Purdue spoiled EIU head coach Bob Spoo s homecoming to West Lafayette. Painter threw for six touchdowns while Bryant had 111 yards receiving during the 52-6 Boilermakers win. Tyler Wilke provided all of EIU s scoring as he connected on field goal attempts of 24 and 27 yards during the first and third quarters. EIU was held to less than a 100 yards rushing for the second straight game as Purdue was able to put pressure on the EIU quarterbacks most of the afternoon. The game was slowed by a one hour lighting delay as both teams came out of the locker rooms for the second half. TEAM STATS...EIU...ILST First Downs Rushes-Yards Passing-Yards Comp-Att-Int Total Offense Fumbles-Lost Penalties-Yards Int Returns-Yards-TD Time of Possession...29: :04 Sacks-Yards LEADERS RUSHING (No-Yds-TD) EIU - Bess , Keys , Adeniji ILST - Rice , Drone PASSING (Att-Cmp-Int-Yds-TD) EIU - Stinson ; Reeder ILST - Drone RECEIVING (No -Yds -TD) EIU - Rucker , Fisher ILST - Horton , Meredith DEFENSE (Tackles - Solo, Assist, TFL) EIU - Arrington 8-2-1, Haynes 6-4-0, Sams ILST - Caesar 3-9-1, Stewart RECAP Illinois State s Kaschiev Hunter recovered a fumble on the 20-yard line with 26 seconds remaining in the game that ended an Eastern Illinois potential game tying or winning drive. The fumble helped ISU secure a win as the No. 17 Redbirds and No. 14 Panthers did battle in their annual rivalry game. EIU was driving down the field under the direction of back-up quarterback Bodie Reeder who had already marched EIU down the field early in the fourth quarter for a Chip Keys touchdown and EIU lead. Rafael Rice scored what proved to be the game winning touchdown on a two-yard dive with 6:52 left in the game.

11 October 27, 2007 Eastern Illinois at Tennessee State Page 11 GAME 4 - Sept. 22, 2007 Eastern Illinois Indiana State Terre Haute, IN/Memorial Stadium A: 4,079 Scoring Final Eastern Illinois Indiana State FIRST QUARTER EIU - Ponius 14 block punt return (Pass failed) (11:11) EIU - Keys 2 run (Wilke kick) (7:01) EIU - Keys 1 run (Wilke kick) (1:49) SECOND QUARTER INST - Robison 25 pass from Dowdell (kick failed) (14:55) INST - Woods 81 fumble return (Varnadore kick) (12:09) EIU - Bess 9 run (Wilke kick) (9:49) INST - Barcliff 2 run (Johansen kick) (5:22) EIU - Bess 4 run (Wilke kick) (0:42) THIRD QUARTER EIU - Adeniji 7 run (Pass failed) (11:41) EIU - Keys 2 run (Wilke kick) (5:58) FOURTH QUARTER EIU - Jordan 35 run (Wilke kick) (10:59) GAME 5 - Sept. 29, 2007 Eastern Illinois Southeast Missouri Cape Girardeau, Mo./Houck Stadium A: 9925 Scoring Final Eastern Illinois Southeast Missouri SECOND QUARTER SEMO - Holloman 52 run (Spada kick) (14:50) EIU - Fisher 10 pass from Reeder (Wilke kick) (11:40) SEMO - Spada 27 field goal (8:10) SEMO - Spada 26 field goal (3:23) EIU - Campanella 5 pass from Reeder (Wilke kick) (0:49) THIRD QUARTER SEMO - Spada 38 field goal (5:19) EIU - Rucker 45 pass from Reeder (Wilke kick) (4:09) EIU - Adeniji 1 run (Wilke kick) (0:18) FOURTH QUARTER EIU - Wilke 32 field goal (9:20) GAME 5 - Oct. 6, 2007 Eastern Kentucky Eastern Illinois Charleston, Ill./O Brien Stadium A: Family Weekend Scoring Final Eastern Kentucky Eastern Illinois FIRST QUARTER EKU - Long 21 field goal (13:23) EKU - Long 32 field goal (9:12) SECOND QUARTER EIU - Fisher 29 pass from Reeder (Wilke kick) (14:25) EKU - Long 34 field goal (6:09) EIU - Adeniji 73 run (Wilke kick) (2:54) EKU - Williams 20 pass from Holland (pass failed) (0:40) THIRD QUARTER EKU - O Connor 44 field goal (11:52) EKU - Long 33 field goal (2:46) FOURTH QUARTER EKU - Barber 47 pass from Holland (Long kick) (10:59) EIU - Bess 1 run (Yates kick) (1:30) TEAM STATS...EIU...INST First Downs Rushes-Yards Passing-Yards Comp-Att-Int Total Offense Fumbles-Lost Penalties-Yards Int Returns-Yards-TD Time of Possession...37: :28 Sacks-Yards LEADERS RUSHING (No-Yds-TD) EIU - Bess , Jordan , Adeniji INST - McCulley , Barcliff PASSING (Att-Cmp-Int-Yds-TD) EIU - Reeder INST - Dowdell , Murphy (-3)-0 RECEIVING (No -Yds -TD) EIU - Nozinor , Rucker INST - Jackson 2-23, Robinson 1-25 DEFENSE (Tackles - Solo, Assist, TFL) EIU - Thomas , Walters 6-0-1, Torres INST - Scott , Pence RECAP Eastern Illinois dominated the Sycamores scoring seven rushing touchdowns in a win over their local rivals. Bodie Reeder was sharp in his first collegiate start hitting 23-of-26 passes for 298 yards. Chip Keys had three scores while Travorus Bess added two. Alicus Nozinor led the way with eight catches for 93 yards. Special teams and defense were also strong as Rashad Haynes set up two Panther scores with a blocked punt returned for touchdown and an interception. Donald Thomas led the way with 12 tackles. 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...31: :42 Sacks-Yards LEADERS RUSHING (No-Yds-TD) EIU - Jordan , Adeniji SEMO - Holloman , Anderson PASSING (Att-Cmp-Int-Yds-TD) EIU - Reeder SEMO - Callanan RECEIVING (No -Yds -TD) EIU - Rucker , Nozinor , Fisher SEMO - Gugler DEFENSE (Tackles - Solo, Assist, TFL) EIU - Kosinski 6-4-0, Thomas 2-5-0, Wetrick SEMO - Casper , Ketelsleger RECAP Brady Woolverton recovered a muffed punt at the Southeast Missouri 3-yard line and Ademola Adeniji scored two plays later to help lift Eastern Illinois to a victory. EIU overcame two first half fumbles on its half of the field as the Panthers defense limited the Redhawks to only two Doug Spada field goals. Bodie Reeder hit Jordan Campanella on a 5-yard pass to give EIU a halftime lead. Following another Spada field goal that put SEMO up 16-14, Reeder hit Micah Rucker on a 45-yard fly pattern to put EIU up for good. Rashad Haynes picked off his second pass of the game at the five yard line to ice the game in the fourth. 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...26: :38 Sacks-Yards LEADERS RUSHING (No-Yds-TD) EIU - Adeniji , Bess EKU - Washington , Dunn PASSING (Att-Cmp-Int-Yds-TD) EIU - Reeder EKU - Holland RECEIVING (No -Yds -TD) EIU - Campanella , Fisher EKU - Williams , Barber DEFENSE (Tackles - Solo, Assist, TFL) EIU - Thomas 8-3-1, Arrington EKU - Curry 3-7-0, Gathof RECAP Eastern Illinois had an onside kick recovery overturned by penalty with 1:30 left in the game as Eastern Kentucky recovered the second attempt to hold on for a win. Colonels quarterback Allan Holland was an effective 30-for- 44 for 321 yards. Both of his touchdown passes came as he eluded a Panthers pass rush and hit open receivers while scrambling out of the pocket. EIU s offense was led by Ademola Adeniji s career-high 186 yards rushing. Adeniji had a 73-yard touchdown burst and added 58 yards on three pass receptions. EIU s defense held one of the OVC s top rushing games in check with only 74 yards.

12 October 27, 2007 Eastern Illinois at Tennessee State Page 12 GAME 7 - Oct. 13, 2007 Eastern Illinois Murray State Murray, Ky/Stewart Stadium A: 5843 Scoring Final Eastern Illinois Murray State FIRST QUARTER EIU - Rucker 2 pass from Reeder (Yates kick failed) (7:58) MUR - Weiss 35 field goal (1:00) THIRD QUARTER EIU - Adeniji 35 run (Wilke kick) (5:42) MUR - Jordan 35 run (Weiss kick) (4:05) EIU - Adeniji 10 run (Wilke kick) (0:02) FOURTH QUARTER MUR - Jordan 5 run (Weiss kick) (12:42) EIU - Adeniji 18 run (Wilke kick) (9:07) MUR - Harper 20 pass from Ehrhardt (Weiss kick) (0:20) GAME 8 - Oct. 20, 2007 Tennessee Martin Eastern Illinois Charleston, Ill./O Brien Stadium 91st Homecoming/A: 8151 Scoring Final Tennessee Martin Eastern Illinoi FIRST QUARTER UTM - Thomas 24 pass from Anoka (Hansen kick failed) (6:49) EIU - Rucker 5 pass from Reeder (Wilke kick) (1:40) SECOND QUARTER UTM - Chapman 25 run (Hansen kick) (4:30) THIRD QUARTER UTM - Dawson 1 run (Hansen kick) (9:35) EIU - Rucker 17 pass from Reeder (Wilke kick) (2:49) FOURTH QUARTER EIU - Campanella 11 pass from Reeder (Wilke kick) (11:19) UTM - Hansen 33 field goal (3:09) EIU - Adeniji 3 run (Steckel pass from Reeder) (1:36) TEAM STATS...EIU...MUR First Downs Rushes-Yards Passing-Yards Comp-Att-Int Total Offense Fumbles-Lost Penalties-Yards Int Returns-Yards-TD Time of Possession...33: :34 Sacks-Yards LEADERS RUSHING (No-Yds-TD) EIU - Adeniji , Bess MUR - Jordan , Jones PASSING (Att-Cmp-Int-Yds-TD) EIU - Reeder MUR - Ehrhardt RECEIVING (No -Yds -TD) EIU - Rucker , Nozinor MUR - Nelson , Harper DEFENSE (Tackles - Solo, Assist, TFL) EIU - Sams 7-1-1, Westrick 5-1-0, Frericks MUR - Marshall , Parrott RECAP Seniors Ademola Adeniji and Micah Rucker each posted career days as the Panthers escaped Murray State with a win during the Racers homecoming game. Adeniji ran for 197 yards and three touchdowns. He just missed a fourth touchdown when the ball was stripped as he was reaching for the goal line. Rucker hauled in 11 passes for 153 yards and a touchdown as the Panthers made it seven straight games without an interception. Despite the big offensive numbers, Joel Evers had to recover an onside kick attempt with 20 seconds left to help preserve the win. Murray State was able to take advantage of three EIU fumbles including two on punt returns. TEAM STATS...EIU...UTM First Downs Rushes-Yards Passing-Yards Comp-Att-Int Total Offense Fumbles-Lost Penalties-Yards Int Returns-Yards-TD Time of Possession...29: :14 Sacks-Yards LEADERS RUSHING (No-Yds-TD) EIU - Adeniji , Bess UTM - Chapman , Dawson PASSING (Att-Cmp-Int-Yds-TD) EIU - Reeder , Stinson UTM - Anoka , Thompson RECEIVING (No -Yds -TD) EIU - Rucker , Adeniji , Nozinor UTM - Thomas , Daniel DEFENSE (Tackles - Solo, Assist, TFL) EIU - Marcelin 4-4-0, Westrick 5-2-1, Torres UTM - Yarbrough , Arrington RECAP Adrian Arrington made a tackle at the one yard line with one second left and Tennessee Martin spiked the ball as time expired to hand Eastern Illinois a victory. The Panthers had take the lead as Bodie Reeder marched EIU down the field hitting Micah Rucker and Ademola Adeniji on the drive. Travorus Bess broke a 25-yard run to put EIU in field goal range, but Adeniji scored a touchdown two plays later to put EIU up for good. The Panthers trailed 20-7 at one point before rallying for the win. Rucker hauled in seven passes for 98 yards and two touchdowns. It was the eighth straight homecoming win for the Panthers.