Gameday

Stadium: O'Brien Stadium

TV: GoSycamores.com (PPV)

Sycamore Radio: WSDM (92.7 FM)

Play-by-Play: Brian Fritz

Analyst: Pete Emmert

Series Information:

Series Record: Eastern Illinois leads 40-37-4

Last Meeting: ISU 20, EIU 54, 9/22/07 at ISU

Last ISU Win: ISU 33, EIU 30, 9/11/04 at EIU

Current Streak: Eastern Illinois has won last three meetings dating back to 2005.

Setting The Stage

After a week off, the Sycamores return to action against FCS foe and nationally-ranked Eastern Illinois.  ISU dropped its season opener to FBS opponent Eastern Michigan, 52-0, on Aug. 28 but will look to break a 15-game losing streak overall and a three-game losing streak to the Panthers with a win.  Tonight's game will be the 82nd meeting in the series between the two school separated by just 50 miles.  The Panthers lead the overall series by a mark of 40-37-4 and have won 10 out of the last 12 meetings overall.  The Sycamores' last two wins came in back-to-back years in 2003 and 2004, capped off by a 33-30 win in overtime at Memorial Stadium in 2004.

The Indiana State Head Coach

Indiana State is led by first-head head coach Trent Miles, a 1987 graduate of ISU as well as a native of Terre Haute, Ind.  Miles made his debut as a collegiate head football coach on against Eastern Michigan and will be looking for his first victory at Indiana State.  Prior to coming to ISU, Miles spent three seasons (205-07) as the running backs coach at Washington under head coach Tyrone Willingham and three years at Notre Dame (2002-04) as the wide receivers coach.

The Eastern Illinois Head Coach

Eastern Illinois is led by head coach Bob Spoo, who is in his 21st season at the helm of the EIU program.  Spoo has career record of 127-102-1 in his time with the Panthers, while leading the team to nine FCS playoff appearances and several OVC championships.  Spoo is 13-5 all-time against Indiana State.

Eastern Illinois Scouting Report

Eastern Illinois is a member of the Ohio Valley Conference and play their home contests at O'Brien Stadium in Charleston, Ill.   After opening with back-to-back losses against FBS opponents Central Michigan (31-12) and Illinois (47-12), EIU will play its home opener tonight against Indiana State.  The Panthers are averaging 129.5 yards per game on the ground, led by senior Travorus Bess at 103 ypg.  On defense, junior Seymour Loftman leads the way with 22 total tackles on the season, including 12 solo stops and one interception.

The Last Time Against Eastern Illinois

Indiana State fell behind 20-0 to #20 Eastern Illinois in the first quarter between the two border rivals, but the Sycamores used a defensive score to move within a touchdown at 27-20 as time neared expiration in the first half.  EIU posted a late first half score en route to scoring 27 unanswered points in taking a 54-20 victory over the Sycamores at Memorial Stadium in front of 4,079 fans. ISU falls to 0-4 on the season while Eastern Illinois improved to 2-2.

What's Transpired

Indiana State dropped its season opener to FBS and Mid-American Conference foe Eastern Michigan, 52-0, on Aug. 28.  The Sycamores then had their off week before heading into tonight's game against #20 Eastern Illinois.

Young Guns

Of the 53 players that saw action for the Sycamores in the season opener at Eastern Michigan, a total of 34 of those players were seeing their first-ever collegiate action of any kind.  ISU started five players on offense in their first game and started one newcomer on defense, plus one more on special teams against the Eagles.

Gates Returns

Sophomore tailback Darrius Gates, who missed all of the 2007 season with a knee injury, proved to back in top shape against Eastern Michigan as he had a career-high 61 yards rushing, and caught a pass for 15 yards.  ISU finished the game with just 75 rushing yards, meaning Gates nearly contributed all of the rushing yards for the Sycamores against Eastern Michigan.

A “Special” Performance

Sophomore punter Gabe Mullane was impressive in his collegiate debut, as he averaged a booming 43.7 yards per punt in the season opening game against Eastern Michigan.  That performance earned Mullane the year's initial MVFC Special Teams Player of the Week award (Sept. 1).  Mullane punted nine times in the game for a total of 393 yards.  His long was a 59 yarder and he booted 3-of-9 punts at least 50 yards in the game.  He also pinned the Eagles deep inside their own 20-yard line on two separate occasions.

Hey Mr. Wilson!

Dennis the Menace used to pester Mr. Wilson on a daily basis in the classic comic strip, but it was ISU's Kevin Wilson who bothered Eastern Michigan in the team's season opener.  The junior defensive lineman from Indianapolis collected a career-high 11 tackles to lead all Sycamores, including nine solo stops and a half tackle for loss against the Eagles.  Heading into the game, Wilson had just 36 total tackles in his previous two seasons in Terre Haute.

Up Next

Indiana State will take on its second FBS opponent of the season, when they travel to DeKalb, Ill., to face off against the Northern Illinois Huskies on Saturday, Sept. 20.  Game time is set for 3:00 p.m. (ET) and can be heard live on The Crock 92.7 FM.  The all-time series is tied 4-4, with NIU posting a 4-1 home record during the series.