NCS football playoffs, Panthers too hard to figure Nov 21, 2009
Figuring out the Eastern Illinois football team I ve seen week after week is mind-boggling enough, let alone trying to analyze which of the 20-something possibilities should crowd into the 16-team Football Championship Subdivision playoffs when the NCAA announces that field Sunday afternoon on ESPN News. Oh, sure it s easy enough to see that it would help if 7-3 South Dakota, just ahead of EIU in the two main FCS polls, would lose to a 1-9 Western Illinois today making EIU s 21-10 Thursday night... (Mattoon Journal-Gazette, IL)
Panthers can't relish 'near perfect' game Nov 17, 2009
CHARLESTON -- That usual Monday off became an Eastern Illinois football work day. No, this was not a punishment. (Mattoon Journal-Gazette, IL)
COLUMN: EIU offense takes its turn to shine in spotlight Nov 16, 2009
The offense no longer is the outsiders of this Eastern Illinois football team that is one step away from the NCAA playoffs party. Maybe no one actually said the offense had been just along for the ride on this bus where defense and special teams were taking turns driving toward an Ohio Valley Conference championship. (Mattoon Journal-Gazette, IL)
UT Martin's video gets EIU's gridiron blood boiling Nov 12, 2009
Eastern Illinois football Panthers heard that chant this week on a video found on the Internet from last year when UT Martin players celebrated their 29-26 win over EIU.. It was like they won the Super Bowl, EIU defensive end Colin Luczynski said. (Mattoon Journal-Gazette, IL)
Spoo sees danger at Murray State Oct 31, 2009
Last week, Eastern Illinois football coach s statement that Jacksonville State was arguably the best team in the OVC until someone proves otherwise planted a seed for his Panthers to pull off an upset and move to the top of the Ohio Valley Conference. This week: Arguably the most dangerous team in the OVC is Murray State, Spoo said. (Mattoon Journal-Gazette, IL)
Panthers pull off monumental win Oct 26, 2009
-- Whenever the last page is written in Bob Spoo s successful Eastern Illinois football coaching story, few highlights might top this one. Few if any would be as surprising as the Panthers 28-20 Ohio Valley Conference upset Saturday at Jacksonville State. (Mattoon Journal-Gazette, IL)
Will EIU's running game make it to Homecoming? Oct 17, 2009
Tony Romo, the guy letting the world know about Eastern Illinois football, is to be here on his Dallas Cowboys bye week. Henry Domercant, EIU s record-setting basketball scorer, cannot get away from his job playing pro basketball in Europe. (Mattoon Journal-Gazette, IL)
COLUMN: After fundraiser we can get back to football Oct 12, 2009
He apparently wanted Eastern Illinois football coach Bob Spoo to gripe about how long of a trip it is to Happy Valley, Pa. to pick up a check from Penn State University. (Mattoon Journal-Gazette, IL)
PSU game has many benefits for EIU Oct 10, 2009
Never mind this will be the biggest crowd ever to see an Eastern Illinois football team compete, even if Penn State fails to sell out its 107,000-plus seat stadium. Never mind the $450,000 the Lions are shelling out to Eastern Illinois just to make the Panthers their whipping boys for a day. (Daily Collegian, PA)
Ticket sales going well but seats still available for EIU Oct 1, 2009
CHARLESTON Some additional seats are being moved into the south end zone for Saturday s Eastern Illinois football game at O Brien Field. Ticket sales have been good for the Family Weekend contest against Eastern Kentucky matching the Ohio Valley Conference s two co-leaders with 2-0 records and Football Championship Subdivision national rankings. (Mattoon Journal-Gazette, IL)
COLUMN: Could those fumbles be a good thing? Sep 21, 2009
Maybe after two routs, this undefeated Eastern Illinois football team needed a challenge so it fumbled away those apparent touchdowns just to make it interesting. To be honest with you it was good for us, quarterback Jake Christensen said. (Mattoon Journal-Gazette, IL)
HERSOM: Bob Spoo is worth knowing Sep 18, 2009
Posted: Friday, September 18, 2009 Blame it on Robert Frost and his two roads diverging in the woods, if you like. For as long as I can remember and much to the lament of family and friends, my mind will sometimes veer off down some tangential trail, leading me from Point A to Point Z and then back to Point B.. (Sioux City Journal, IO)
A shutout but no perfect game for Panthers Sep 14, 2009
TERRE HAUTE -- After griping about a win when allowing just six points, Eastern Illinois football defense pitched a shutout. So what now. (Mattoon Journal-Gazette, IL)
EIU's Burge out for today's game with illness Sep 13, 2009
TERRE HAUTE - Defensive end Perry Burge is to miss today's Eastern Illinois football game because of illness. Colin Luczynski, a 6-foot-1, 234-pound junior, is to replace Burge in the starting lineup for the gamme set to start at 11:05 a.m. at Indiana State. (Mattoon Journal-Gazette, IL)
Spoo still recalls bad night at ISU Sep 12, 2009
As Eastern Illinois football coach, Spoo has won 14 of 19 meetings with the Sycamores, including one that began a four-game job-saving win streak in 1994 and then one clinching an NCAA postseason playoff berth the next year. But asked for one lasting memory of this series between nearby colleges that at least for next year is to be interrupted, Spoo brings up an unhappy one. (Mattoon Journal-Gazette, IL)
Indiana St. has losing streak; Spoo has warning Sep 10, 2009
When talking to the media, Eastern Illinois football coach has not even spelled out the name with any intentions of discrediting another Ohio Valley Conference team. Who knows how Spoo words it to his players behind closed doors or on the practice field. (Mattoon Journal-Gazette, IL)
Walters ready for last shot at staying with Kansas City Sep 2, 2009
KANSAS CITY -- Maybe few things would keep Pierre Walters from attending or at least listening to his former Eastern Illinois football team playing rival Illinois State Thursday. But Walters will be too busy. (Mattoon Journal-Gazette, IL)
Michigan transfer makes himself known Aug 17, 2009
For some of the most interested Eastern Illinois football fans attending Saturday s scrimmage, this was their introduction to Jimmy Potempa, a former Michigan walk-on who two years ago carried the ball twice against Notre Dame. That s the way he s practiced all week, EIU offensive coordinator Roy Wittke said. (Mattoon Journal-Gazette, IL)
So far, so good for Walters with KC Chiefs Aug 10, 2009
CHARLESTON Children of all ages are invited to a clinic conducted by Eastern Illinois football players and coaches as part of today s media day at O Brien Stadium. A team photo is scheduled for 1 p.m. and is to be followed by media interviews and then the clinic running from 1:15 to 2:15 p.m. Youth can also get autographs from EIU players and take photos with Billy the Panther. (Mattoon Journal-Gazette, IL)
EIU football team to play Northwestern Jul 15, 2009
CHARLESTON -- Make it six trips to Big Ten Country in six straight seasons for Eastern Illinois football team. EIU announced on Tuesday it is to play at Northwestern University in 2011 giving the Panthers a game against a fifth opponent from the one of the nation s best football conferences. (Mattoon Journal-Gazette, IL)
Romo to return to EIU for Homecoming/Hall of Fame Jul 7, 2009
CHARLESTON -- Why cram Hall of Fame day and Homecoming into the same Oct. 17 Eastern Illinois football game. Because that s when Tony Romo can come, that s why. (Mattoon Journal-Gazette, IL)
QB Hockaday leaving EIU Jun 5, 2009
CHARLESTON -- Reserve quarterback Luke Hockaday is leaving Eastern Illinois football team. He has made the decision to leave and pursue other opportunities and we wish him the very best of luck, EIU offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Roy Wittke said. (Mattoon Journal-Gazette, IL)
ESPNU to televise Panthers Jun 2, 2009
-- Eastern Illinois football team is to play in an ESPNU televised football game on Nov. 19. The scheduled game on Nov. 21 against Tennessee State was moved two days earlier to Thursday with a 5:30 p.m. start at O Brien Stadium to accommodate ESPNU.. (Mattoon Journal-Gazette, IL)
Spoo's contract is extended through 2010 Mar 24, 2009
CHARLESTON -- Bob Spoo is set to coach Eastern Illinois football beyond this year s elder-statesmen clash with Penn State s Joe Paterno. EIU announced on Monday that its board of trustees has approved a contract extension for Spoo through the 2010 season as well as the promotion for defensive coordinator Roc Bellantoni and offensive coordinator Roy Wittke to associate head coaches and a three-year contract for new volleyball coach Alan Segal. (Mattoon Journal-Gazette, IL)
Spoo to face Paterno and former assistant Feb 24, 2009
CHARLESTON -- A trip to Rose Bowl participant Penn State and a home Thursday night opener against Illinois State highlight the 2009 Eastern Illinois football schedule released Monday ... 2009 Eastern Illinois Football Schedule. (Mattoon Journal-Gazette, IL)
