Eastern Illinois football will wrap up spring practice this Saturday as the Panthers hold their spring game at 12 p.m. at O'Brien Field.* Admission to the event is free.** This season the spring game will be an offense vs. defense scrimmage with a point system for both sides of the ball.* * Last season head coach Kim Dameron led the Panthers to a 7-5 record and 16th appearance in the FCS playoffs.* EIU finished the season ranked No. 23 in the final FCS Coaches poll.* This spring EIU has looked to replace its starting quarterback along with starters in all three levels of the Panthers defense. * The quarterback battle this spring has seen Austin Green take a majority of snaps with the first unit although no starter has been named.* The Panthers return four of five starters on the offensive line, a unit that will block for a running back group led by All-OVC selection Devin Church. * On the defensive side of the ball, EIU returns starters Seth McDonald and Bradley Dewberry, both players ranking among the top five in the OVC last season in tackles (McDonald, 4th) *and interceptions (Dewberry, 4th). * EIU will open the 2016 season at home on Thursday, Sept. 1 against Western Illinois.** Season ticket information and renewals will be available in the coming weeks.

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