TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – Indiana State opens up the long-awaited 2021 season this weekend as the Sycamores welcome Eastern Illinois to Memorial Stadium for the Week Zero kickoff. Game time between the Sycamores and the Panthers is set for 6:05 p.m. and will be carried live on ESPN+ and WZJK 105.5 FM.
 

Football vs. Eastern Illinois
Date	Saturday, August 28 | 6:05 p.m. ET
Location | Venue | Weather	Terre Haute, Ind. | Memorial Stadium (Capacity 12,764) | Weather | Radar
Preview Information	Indiana State Notes
Live Stats	Live Stat Feed
Watch | Listen	ESPN+ ($) | WVIG 105.5
Gates	Gates Open at 4:30 p.m. (90 minutes prior to Kickoff)
Series History	Eastern Illinois leads the series 43-40-4 (Indiana State won last two)
Game Day Sponsor | Game Day Promotion	Game Day Sponsor: Terre Haute Savings Bank | First 500 fans inside the gate receive a free ISU Clear Bag and Chick-Fil-A sandwich coupon
Social Media	@IndStFB | @IndStAthletics

Game Day Information and Activities
Game Day Sponsor: Terre Haute Savings Bank
THSB is a community bank headquartered in Vigo County, Indiana, in the town of Terre Haute, approximately 75 miles west/southwest of Indianapolis. We have eight locations - five in Terre Haute, one in Riley, a community just southeast of Terre Haute, one in the town of Brazil, located about 18 miles east of Terre Haute in Clay County and one in West Terre Haute, located about 2 miles west of Terre Haute. THSB is a mutual savings bank, not a publicly traded company. It is governed by a board of directors comprised of local business and community leaders. THSB is a fiscally conservative, responsible bank that invests in and supports our local community. If you are considering changing banks, or will be moving into this area, THSB will be happy to meet your banking and financial service needs. Please call or stop in at any of our locations  and meet our banking professionals.

Giveaway: Clear Bags and Chick-Fil-A
The first 500 fans into the gates on Saturday will receive a free Indiana State Sycamores clear bag, as well as a free Chick-Fil-A sandwich coupon courtesy of Chick-Fil-A located at 3675 S US Highway 41, Terre Haute, IN 47802.
 
Updated Tailgating and Clear Bag Policies
Indiana State Athletics announced updated tailgating and clear bag policies for the 2021-22 athletic year in early August. The policies are consistent with other members in both the Missouri Valley Conference and Missouri Valley Football Conference. To find out more, click here.
 
Sycamore Athletics Lands New Flagship Radio Home
Indiana State has found a new home radio station. Sycamore Athletics and DLC Media have reached a three-year agreement to bring ISU sports to 105.5 FM. To see more, click here.
 
Football Season Tickets Still on Sale/Mobile Ticketing
Indiana State football season ticket membership renewals and new season ticket memberships are now on sale for the 2021 season. Season tickets start at just $50 for adults and $20 for youth. Faculty, staff, seniors and members of the I-Club can purchase tickets for just $45 while Family Packs are available for just $140. Chairback rentals are available for $20. To find out more, click here.
 
Game Notes of Interest
644 Days
It's been 644 days since Indiana State hit the field to cap off the 2019 season as the Sycamores hit the field this weekend against Eastern Illinois. The Sycamores will be hitting the field for the first time since the end of the 2019 season after topping Missouri State on the road in the season finale, 51-24.
 
Continuing the Winning Streak
Indiana State will look to continue a winning streak that dates back since the final two games of the 2019 season. The Sycamores wrapped up their last action with back-to-back wins against Youngstown State (24-17) and Missouri State (51-24) to finish the season on a winning streak. Since ISU did not play in the 2020 season, the Sycamores boast one of the longest winning streaks in the nation from a timing standpoint.
 
Longest Running Rivalry
The Indiana State and Eastern Illinois series is the longest running rivalry in Sycamores' history dating back to their first contest in 1901. The teams have competed off and on over the last few years with ISU hosting the contest 48 times in Terre Haute.
 
Opponent Information
Indiana State faces off against a familiar opponent to open the 2021 season as the Sycamores and Panthers will take the field for the 88th time in their respective program histories.
 
The Panthers competed in a shortened 2021 spring season lining up in six games, while two additional contests were affected due to COVID concerns. EIU went 1-5 overall in the shortened season with their lone win coming against Tennessee Tech back on March 21.
 
Eastern Illinois was selected seventh overall in the Ohio Valley Preseason Poll as announced at the conference media day back in mid-July. EIU received 12 points overall.
 
Two EIU players were recognized on the conference's Preseason All-Ohio Valley team with linebacker Jason Johnson and kick returner Matt Judd both receiving preseason honors. Six additional players received Phil Steele preseason recognition with Stephen Elmore, Jaelin Benefield, Jay Vallie, Ben Solomon, James Ubaike, and Colin Bohanek also receiving honors.
 
Johnson highlights the defense's efforts heading into the 2021 fall season. He led the OVC in tackles with 66 including six tackles for loss.   His 11 tackles per game ranked ninth in the FCS as he posted double-digit tackles in each of the Panthers last four games. He was named a Sophomore All-American following the season by Hero Sports.
 
Judd averaged 24.8 yards per return with a long return of 53 yards at UT Martin. Judd ranked 13th in the FCS in kick return average for the year. He was also a starter at wide receiver making eight catches for 109 yards with a touchdown.
 
The Panthers also put together a strong transfer class heading into the season. Elijah Benoit, Justin Growel, Chris Katrenick, Cam Mattox, Logen Neidhardt, Markenzy Pierre, Tyler Ringwood and Kobe Rodgers all joined the roster from various four-year schools to help pace EIU heading into Coach Adam Cushing's third season.
 
Record-Watch
Hendrix will look to surpass one of the longest streaks in Indiana State football history on opening night as the redshirt junior wide receiver hits the field against Indiana State. The Florence, Ky. native is closing in on Robert Tonyan's record of 21 consecutive games with at least one reception achieved during the 2015-16 seasons.
 
Hendrix's streak dates back to the second game of the 2018 season when he was held without a catch on the road at Louisville. Overall in his career, Hendrix has recorded at least one reception in 22 of his 23 career games played with 12 of those games featuring at least five receptions.
 
The 6-3 athlete boasts 11 career games with at least 50 receiving yards and three 100-plus yard games over his career. He also two multi-touchdown receiving efforts in the 2018 season.
 
Hendrix Career 100-yard Games
Oct. 27, 2018 at YSU - Seven catches, 186 yards, 2 TD
Nov. 3, 2018 vs. SD - 11 catches, 111 yards, 2 TD
Nov. 9, 2019 at UNI - Five catches, 135 yards
 
Quarterback Named for Week One
Head Coach Curt Mallory named a starting quarterback heading into the final weeks of the 2021 season as Northern Illinois transfer Anthony Thompson will get the nod for the opener against Eastern Illinois. The Chicago, Ill. native saw action in five career games with the Huskies, including backup appearances against Central Michigan in both the 2017 and 2018 seasons. Thompson brings escapability to the pocket and his athleticism and playmaking ability are something Mallory will look for as the team heads to the field for the first time since the 2019 season.
 
Returner Kurtis Wilderman will also see playing time this season as Mallory expects both signal-callers to see time on the field this season. Wilderman brings back the most game-experience on the roster with action in nine games while making three starts in 2019. Wilderman led the team with 1,170 passing yards and boasted an impressive 68.6% completion percentage. He posted a career-high 220 passing yards against Northern Iowa, while adding two multi-touchdown passing games against both Western Illinois and South Dakota State.
 
Running Game in Good Hands
Gone is former great Dominique Dafney, but the Indiana State running game is in good hands as 2019 leading rusher Peterson Kerlegrand is back in the backfield for the 2021 season. The senior tailback paced the Sycamores in total attempts and rushing yards, while also recording the longest run from scrimmage on the team in the 2021 season.
 
Kerlegrand finished seventh overall in the Missouri Valley Football Conference in the 2019 season in rushing yards (746) and posted the ninth-highest all-purpose yardage totals (897) in the MVFC in his last live action on the field. The Fort Wayne, Ind. native recorded a career-high 208 all-purpose yards against Dayton in the 2019 season with a career-high 194 rushing yards coming on 17 carries against the Flyers. He finished fourth overall on the team with 19 catches for 151 yards to help pace the Sycamores on the year.
 
Tight End U
One of the more recently famous Indiana State alumnni put the Sycamores on the map in current NFL player and 2020 tight end touchdown leader Robert Tonyan. Tonyan set a multitude of ISU marks over his career after starting his Sycamores' run at quarterback, before converting to wide receiver in his junior season. Another recent tight end also has seen success in Dominique Dafney also lining up on the Packers this past season.
 
Indiana State has another former quarterback who has made the switch to a receiver position as redshirt senior and 2021 captain Zach Larkin made the switch back in 2017. The 6-5 athlete has continued to bulk up in the position on his way to putting 250-pounds on a solid frame. Larkin made his impact felt in the 2019 season after seeing action in all 12 games with 11 starts at tight end. He posted 12 catches for 109 yards and a touchdown - and more importantly - carved out a niche in the passing game down the stretch with at least one catch in each of the final seven games of the season.
 
Powering the Trenches
The Indiana State offensive line returns one of the deepest units in recent history as the Sycamores return starters at four of the five positions, while adding impressive depth through the transfer portal. Edwards returns to helm the unit, but center Alvin Clemons, left tackle Carter Herrin, right guard Jose Vazquez IV and right tackle Joel Stevens combine to provide a unit that has weathered the storm over the last season. Expect the unit to be ready for the battle.
 
Running Back Depth
Peterson Kerlegrand returns as the program's leading rusher heading into the 2021 season. The Fort Wayne, Ind. native has seen action in 22 games over the last two seasons, including nine starts in the 2019 season. He took full advantage of the opportunity to finish among the conference's leaders in rushing yards per game, while boasting 5.5 yards per carry.Kerlegrand added two 100-yard rushing efforts in the season, including a career-high 194 yards against Dayton on 17 carries. He added three touchdowns and will be expected to once again carry the load heading into the year.
 
Behind Kerlegrand sits a little bit of the unknown as only one other returning back on the roster has recorded a carry (Matt Sora). First up on the depth chart is San Diego State transfer Justin Dinka. Dinka redshirted in the 2019 season with the Aztecs, but brings an impressive track record to the field after rushing for 3,549 yards and 44 touchdowns at Marcus High School in Flower Mound, Texas. Sora, Kyle Franklin, Dawson Basinger, Korbin Allen, Derrick McLaughlin, and Omarion Dixon will also battle for playing time in the 2021 season.
 
Bringing In The Ball
Even with the loss of Dakota Caton to a season-ending injury, the Indiana State receiving game is still in strong hands with the return of Dante Hendrix, Rontrez Morgan, and Daijon Collins. Hendrix is the big name and returns with the most receptions, receiving yards, and touchdowns on the roster, while Morgan and Collins both made impressive strides down the stretch and in 2020.
 
Morgan broke out in a big way in the 2018 campaign with a career-high nine catches for 155 yards and two touchdowns against South Dakota State. Collins wrapped up the 2019 campaign with catches in six consecutive games, including a five-catch performance against South Dakota State. Both receivers are expected to play a major part in ISU's success this season.
 
Leading at the Half
Score early and you have a better chance of winning the game. That has worked for Indiana State over the Curt Mallory coaching tenure as the Sycamores have posted a perfect 11-0 record when leading at the halftime break throughout his career. The Sycamores enter the season on a two-game winning streak dating back to the end of the 2019 season and will look to keep that intact as they take on long-time rival Eastern Illinois in the opener.
 
Protect the Football/Time of Possession
To win the game, you have to do a few things consistently. Among those keys include protecting the ball and winning the time of possession battle. The Sycamores struggled at times in the 2019 season with keeping their hands on the ball as ISU coughed the ball up 26 times (16 fumbles, 10 interceptions). This parlayed into the Sycamores finishing with a -0.50 turnover margin in the 2019 season.
 
However, the Sycamores did win the time of possession battle and boasted one of the best margins in all FCS at 32:00 per game to finish 15th in the nation in the category. This included  winning the TOP battle in eight of their 11 games in 2019.
 
Defensive Power
The Sycamores defensive line will be one of the groups that will headline the team heading into the 2021 season. Indiana State returns a strong trio that gained valuable experience and provided stability up front to a unit that finished among the FCS' best in a multitude of categories. Overall, the Sycamores finished among the nation's best in third-down conversion defense, fourth-down conversion defense, passing yards allowed, total defense, team sacks, and team tackles for loss.
 
The Sycamores will look to ride the trio of Kaleb Brewer, Inoke Moala, and Henrik Barndt into the year to keep up their success in their first action since the conclusion of the 2019 season. Moala returns after finishing second on the team and among the conference leaders with 12.5 tackles for loss, while Brewer was third on the team with 10.5 tackles for loss. Barndt returns to the middle of the line after pacing the Sycamores with 5.0 sacks on the season.
 
Sycamores among the FCS' Top Defenses in 2019
3rd Down Conversions - 30.7%, 4th in FCS
4th Down Conversions - 36.4%, 11th in FCS
Total Defense - 338.3, 22nd in FCS
Team Sacks - 2.25, 48th in FCS
Team Tackles for Loss - 7.0, 35th in FCS
 
You Shall Not Pass
Indiana State's pass defense sat among the nation's best when the team last took the field in the 2019 season. The Sycamores utilized the strength of their defensive line and the playmaking ability of their defensive backs to sit among the top defenses in the country against the pass.
 
The playmaking disruption along the defensive line played a key part in the pass defense rankings with both Moala and Brewer sitting among the team's best in pass breakups. Moala tied for third overall on the team with six breakups and four quarterback hurries, while Brewer added five breakups and two hurries.
 
Overall, Moala, Brewer, and Barndt combined for 11.0 sacks, 30.0 tackles for loss, 13 pass breakups, and eight quarterback hurries.
 
Indiana State Pass Defense in the FCS Rankings
Interceptions - 9, 72nd in FCS
Passing Yards Allowed - 162.9, 3rd in FCS
Scoring Defense - 22.8, 30th in FCS
Team Pass Effic. Defense - 113.70, 9th in FCS
Turnovers Gained - 20, 47th in FCS
 
Pass Defense Veterans
Michael Thomas. Mekhi Ware. J.J. Henderson. Ty Hambright. The talent and strength abounds within the defensive backfield as Indiana State is poised to remain among the FCS' elite heading into the 2021 season. Thomas, Ware, and Hambright have all seen starting time in the defensive backfield over the last few years, while Henderson brings four-year starting experience after transferring in from Stetson.
 
Thomas will get a majority of the attention after earning Preseason All-MVFC honors heading into the 2021 season, but Ware is right up there with Thomas in deserving outside attention and recognition this season. Ware made 10 starts in the 2019 season and finished sixth on the team with 39 tackles (21 solo) while starting at cornerback. The redshirt junior paced the team with 11 pass breakups to finish tied for sixth in the MVFC in the category. He added 1.5 tackles for loss and a fumble recovery.
 
Henderson came to the Sycamores by way of DeLand, Fla. and was a First Team All-PFL selection in 2019 after starting 10 games and recording 52 tackles. He led the Pioneer League with 18 total passes defended on his way to earning team defensive player of the week honors on three separate occasions. Hambright redshirted in the 2019 season, but the Fort Wayne, Ind. native brings valuable experience to squad at the strong safety position. He's seen action in 10 games heading into the 2021 season and has a nose for the football with a pair of games with at least seven tackles.
 
Patrolling the Middle
The trio of linebackers in the middle of the defense will look to keep the opposing offenses from moving down the field as they bridge the gap from the line to the second level. Kelvin Broome Jr., Heath Stephen II, and 2021 captain Matt Thompson all draw the first snaps heading into the season and will look to pace Defensive Coordinator Brad Wilson's unit on the field.
 
Thompson brings back the most experience in the lineup after seeing action in 30 games over the last three seasons. The Merrillville, Ind. native was fifth on the team in tackles in 2019 with 40 tackles, including a pair of fumble recoveries against Missouri State and Illinois State. Stephen II transferred in from Monroe College as a two-year letterman earning 55 tackles with 30 solo stops in two seasons. Broome saw action in all 12 games in the 2019 season and is looking to step up opposite Thompson on the field this year.
 
Sycamores on the All-Conference Team
Indiana State put two players on the preseason All-MVFC All-Conference team, while Inoke Moala added a second nod on the Phil Steele Preseason All-Conference team heading into the 2021 season. Michael Thomas and Moala both received recognition on the preseason Honorable Mention squad as announced by the conference office and voted on by the head coaches, sports information personnel, and members of the media. Moala doubled up earning Second Team All-Conference honors as recognized by the Phil Steele team prior to the start of the 2021 season.
 
Moala Takes Him Down
Defensive end Inoke Moala returns to the field for the first time since the 2019 season with the Mishawaka, Ind. native looking to reprise his role on the exterior of the Sycamores' defensive line. Moala has been one of the top defensive players in the conference and will look to remind the opposing offensive lines why he received recognition on two separate preseason All-Conference teams heading into the 2021 season. Moala will look to build off his strongest campaign in the ISU Blue and White as he returns as the Sycamores' leader in the backfield with 12.5 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks on the season. Among his top games included a season-high eight tackles against Eastern Kentucky, while adding 3.5 tackles for loss against Western Illinois. He added six pass breakups and four quarterback hurries.
 
Defensive Captains Taking Charge
The Sycamores will have three captains on the defensive side of the ball in the 2021 season with Moala, Michael Thomas, and Matt Thompson all voted on by their teammates to assume the leadership mantle on the roster this season. Moala is a four-year letter winner dating back to the 2016 season and has built an impressive resume from his start on the special teams back in 2016. Thomas is also a four-year letter winner dating back to his first appearance on the field as a wide receiver back in 2017. He made the shift to safety in 2019 and had a standout season that put him 11th in tackles in the MVFC and added a team-high three forced fumbles. Thompson saw action in 12 games, making four starts in the 2019 season at outside linebacker. He finished fifth on the team with 40 tackles with a season-high eight tackles against Western Illinois. All three lead a veteran unit that should be back among the Missouri Valley's finest this year.
 
Transferring into the Mix
The defense spend the 2020 season getting healthy and getting stronger, while adding additional experience into the mix. The Sycamores are hoping the dividends will pay off this year with Heath Stephen II (Monroe College), JP Osafo (Franklin College), and JJ Henderson (Stetson) are all on the two-deep and will expected to be counted on when the ball snaps on August 28. Stephen was a two-year letterman at Monroe College (N.Y.) and recorded 55 tackles with three sacks and 12.5 tackles for loss over his two years with the program. Osafo earned Freshman of the Year honors while at Franklin College and he recorded 27 tackles and three interceptions over 10 games. Henderson was a three-time All-PFL selection at Stetson, including a First-Team selection in 2019 with 52 tackles and 18 passes defensed.
 
Limiting the Chances (3rd & 4tH-Down Conversions)
Indiana State was one of the top defenses in the country at the end of the 2019 season with the Sycamores sitting among the nation's best at getting the opposition off the field. The Sycamores were in the top-5 in FCS in third-down conversion percentage and in the top-12 in FCS in fourth-down conversion percentage. Indiana State finished fourth overall in FCS and led the Missouri Valley Football Conference with a 30.7% mark on third downs. The Sycamores added a 36.4% mark on fourth downs which helped ISU finish among the nation's best in time of possession.

Kicking Game Competition
Gone is kicking legend Jerry Nunez, but the Sycamores kicking game boasts strong competition for the upcoming 2021 season between transfer Alan Selzer and Brayden Johnson. The Indiana State special teams will look to the kicking battle between the two to provide added support for the offense this year.
 
Selzer comes to the Sycamores by way of Michigan where he was a two-time All-Big Ten Academic honoree. He appeared in one game during his time with the Wolverines and kicked off for the team against Rutgers. Johnson also transferred into Indiana State by way of Ball State after redshirting his lone season with the Cardinals. He played at Wawasee High School and led the state of Indiana in kickoff yardage and punting yardage. He was also ranked the 12th-best punter in the nation coming out of high school.
 
Long Snapping is a Skill
Wyatt Harwood brings his skill set back to the field in the 2019 season as the Vail, Colo. native has lined up in 33 consecutive games as the program's long snapper dating to his first game at the start of the 2017 season. Harwood has posted at least one tackle in each of the last three seasons, including six tackles in the 2017 season. He will continue to lead the way for the ISU special teams this season heading into his final season with the Sycamores.
 
Kick Return Game in Good Hands
The Sycamores return game features two solid specialists heading into the 2021 season with Rontrez Morgan and Dante Hendrix looking to pick up where they left off at the end of 2019.
 
Morgan has been one of the Sycamores' primary return men since he stepped foot on campus in the 2017 season. The Jacksonville, Fla. native averaged 17.9 yards per kick return in the 2017 season and added another kick return in 2018. He will look to add to his totals in the upcoming year and put ISU in favorable field position throughout the season.
 
Hendrix has been one of the top return specialists in the Missouri Valley Football Conference since assuming the role in a breakout 2018 campaign. He put together several decent returns in the 2019 season before closing out the year with a 70-yard return for a touchdown against Missouri State in the final game of the season. The 70-yard return marked the third-longest return in the conference in 2019.

Follow the Sycamores
For the latest information on Sycamore Football, visit GoSycamores.com. You can also find the team on social media, including Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube. Fans can also receive updates on Sycamore Athletics by downloading the March On App from the both the App Store and the Google Play Store.