Two Nationally Ranked Teams Square Off At O'Brien
No. 19 EIU Hosts No. 25 TSU for Hall of Fame Game

EIU Game Notes | TSU Game Notes | Listen Live | Live Stats | Watch Live - OVC Digital Network / WEIU

No. 19 Eastern Illinois vs. No. 25 Tennessee State
O'Brien Field (10,000) • Charleston, Ill.
October 8, 2016 • 6 p.m. • TV: OVC Digital Network & WEIU

NOTES TO KNOW
• Eastern Illinois had its three game win streak snapped last Saturday at Southeast Missouri as the Panthers lost 21-14. Following the loss EIU dropped to No. 19 in the national rankings after climbing to No. 13 last week.

• Eastern Illinois and Tennessee State will be meeting for the fifth time in which both teams have been nationally ranked in the contest. EIU holds a 3-1 lead in those games with the last meeting EIU's 51-10 win in 2013 FCS playoffs second round. TSU's win was in the FCS playoffs in 1982 winning 20-19. EIU won regular season games in 2001 (52-49) and 2013 (34-16).

• Senior Pono Choy returned a fumble 22-yards for a touchdown at Southeast Missouri. It was the Panthers first defensive touchdown this season after scoring four defensive touchdowns last season. EIU's last defensive touchdown was a fumble returned by Nick Horne on November 21 against Eastern Kentucky.

• Eastern Illinois and Tennessee State rank among the top teams in the Ohio Valley Conference in forcing turnovers. EIU is currently fourth in the league with eight turnovers gained (44th nationally). TSU is one of three teams tied for first in the OVC with ten turnovers gained.

• Eastern Illinois will be honoring its 2016 Athletic Hall of Fame Class at halftime of the football game. Set to be inducted this year are former football quarterback Jeff Christensen, Brett Nommensen (baseball), Sandyn Short Connolly (softball), Gabe Spezia (track) and Dr. Gail Richard (administrator). Christensen played for the Panthers in the early 1980s leading the team to the NCAA Division II National Championship game in 1980 and FCS quarterfinal playoff round in 1982. He passed for 6,282 yards and 51 touchdowns in his career.

THE SERIES
• Eastern Illinois and Tennessee State will be meeting for 20th time this Saturday with the Panthers leading the all-time series 12-7. EIU has won four straight games in the series including a 25-22 overtime victory at Nissan Stadium in Nashville last season. TSU's last win in the series did come at O'Brien Field during the 2011 season as the Tigers won 18-17 in the final home game for long time head coach Bob Spoo.


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