The Jackrabbits (3-1) are home again, this time playing host to the 1-3 Eastern Illinois Panthers of the Ohio Valley Conference in the teams final non-conference tune up. The Panthers have had an interesting schedule so far with an opening game win vs. Murray State in week 0 but have followed it up with losses to Minnesota, Indiana State, and Illinois State. Craig Wilkerson is in his 5th year as the head coach and he is 17-32 in that time. EIU has good size across the board and does play a number of upperclassman. Unfortunately for them, neither of those factors have resulted in a ton of success.
Offense
The EIU offense has really been opponent dependent. For example, against Murray State and Indiana State they rushed for 267 and 184 yards but against Minnesota and Illinois State they averaged just 58.5 yards on the ground. In the passing game they have been all over the place… against Murray State (who has a decent secondary) they passed for just 101, with 59 against Minnesota, and 150 against Illinois State but they went for 282 yards against Indiana State. Just all over the place! A few things have been consistent however. They have not been great on 3rd down converting on 37% of their opportunities. They have however been good in the redzone scoring touchdowns on 9 of 12 trips. They have given up 9 sacks, lost 1 fumble, but have not tossed a single interception.
#7 Cole LaCrue (6-1, 210) is the straw that stirs the drink for the Panther offense. He is a dual threat QB who attended Wisconsin for two seasons. On the year he is completing 60% of his passes for 584 yards and 5 TDs. He is the second leading rusher on the team with 120 net yards (163 gross) and 2 TDs. In LaCrue’s first game with EIU he had 193 rushing yards and 3 TDs. He did battle some injuries last year so maybe he’ll stick in the pocket a bit more this season.
The leading rusher is #4 Charles Kellom (6-0, 215) who is in his second year with EIU after transferring in from Akron. He’s off to a strong start with 46 carries for 299 yards (6.5 ypc) and 4 TDs after rushing for 711 yards and 3 TDs in 2025. He is a weapon in the passing game with 10 receptions for 74 yards and 1 TD. The Jacks have allowed running backs some space in the flats in the passing game so he could again be active in the passing game. #1 Jacarre Fleming-Page (5-9, 195) and #22 Tyren Buggs (6-2, 215) are the primary backup ball carriers. Fleming-Page has 22 attempts for 108 yards (4.9 ypc) while Buggs has 20 carries for 31 yards (1.6 ypc). Buggs also has 6 receptions for 39 yards and 1 TD. 30 of those yards came on a single play.
It looks like EIU does a really good job of utilizing a variety of targets in the passing game. The group is led by #3 Samuel Gonzalez (6-1, 185), a transfer from MidAmerican Nazarene of the NAIA. Gonzalez had a big season last year and had 52 receptions for 828 yards and 8 TDs. He’s carried over that success with a strong start for the Panthers catching 8 passes for 133 yards. Opposite him is #8 Landers Green (6-4, 195) who has 6 receptions for 116 yards and 1 TD. #2 Devin Whitlock (5-7, 160) has 10 receptions but for just 60 yards so far this year. #84 Jeremy Reeves (6-4, 205) is seeing his first real action for the Panthers and has 5 receptions for 81 yards. #87 Alex Ginnever (6-5, 230) is the starting tight end and he has 2 receptions for 38 yards.
The offensive line for EIU is big but young compared to the rest of the roster. From left to right they go:
- LT: #72 Brandin Carpenter (6-6, 315, SO): 4 games started.
- LG: #57 Panayiotis Mihalopoulos (6-3, 310, R-JR): 6 games started.
- C: #74 Rahfeeq Katumbusi (6-3, 320, R-So): 15 games started. Was recognized as a 2nd Team All-OVC selection last season as well as a member of the OVC All-Freshman team. Attended Illinois powerhouse, Mount Carmel high school.
- RG: #75 David Trujillo (6-2, 310, Jr): 4 games started.
- RT: #67 Dejan Guzina (6-8, 325, RFR): 2 games started.
Defense
The Panthers play a more traditional 4-3 defense. Unlike the offense (which has been opponent dependent), the defense has just been pretty bad in all four games. They are surrendering 41 points per game via 161 yards rushing per game and 305 yards per game through the air. Opponents have converted on 58% of their 3rd down opportunities and scored TDs on 16 of 20 trips in the redzone. EIU has recovered 2 fumbles, and 3 interceptions and has recorded 4 sacks.
Similar to the offensive line, the Panther defensive line has some really good size. #42 Isaac Engle (6-1, 230) has started 20 games for EIU and this season has 11 total tackles, 3 TFL, and a sack. Opposite him is #41 Aidan Archibald (6-2, 250) who has 9 total tackles and 1.5 sacks along with a PBU, and a QBH. On the interior they have big #9 Trevon Piggee (6-1, 305) at nose tackle. He has 6 stops. Next to him is #13 Premiere Whitley (6-2, 285) and he has 9 total tackles, with .5 sack, a forced fumble and a blocked kick. #45 Erik Hehl (6-0, 245) has been a key reserve at end with 12 total tackles and 3 TFL. On the interior #55 James Collins has chipped in with 9 total tackles and a TFL.
The linebackers are very active for the Panthers with #5 Ja’Waun Nickson (6-0, 240) leading the way with 27 total tackles, 4.5 TFL, .5 sack, 2 interceptions, and 2 QBHs. He was recognized as a 2nd Team All-OVC selection last season and he’s picked up where he left off last year. He is joined by #43 Lonnie Burt (6-0, 225) who has also been productive with 18 tackles and 2.5 TFL. #4 Dillon Conway (6-3, 230) plays the Sam position and he has 15 total tackles. #34 Jordyn Stewart (6-1, 230) has 11 tackles as well. Reserve #19 Mafileo Tupou (5-11, 240) is tied for 3rd on the team with 16 total tackles, a half sack, and a forced fumble.
The cornerback group is led by #0 Nasir Maryland (6-2, 200) who has started 21 games for EIU. He has 16 total tackles. Opposite him is Chaffey Junior College transfer #7 Collin Henry (6-3, 195) but he has just 4 tackles this year. #25 Christopher Sharp (5-11, 180) started the first two games this season and has 10 tackles, a TFL and a PBU. He’s a high school graduate of the St. Louis powerhouse, DeSmet Jesuit. 4-time transfer #6 Jerry Addo-Boateng (6-1, 190) has 10 tackles and a PBU as a reserve.
The safety group is led by #1 Saipeti Maiava (5-11, 200) who has 16 total tackles. He has made 12 starts for EIU. #27 Josh Brown (6-1, 205) started last week at free safety and he has 13 total tackles and PBU. #21 Kaleb Lyons has 22 starts to his credit and has made 15 total tackles this season, has a INT, and 2 PBUs but was not listed as the starter last week. #15 Brandon Worsley (6-0, 200) has 16 tackles, a TFL, and a PBU.
Special Teams
The EIU special teams have been iffy so far this season. #46 Cade Cox has a 44.5 yard average on 27 punts this season with a long of 56 yards. 4 have been touchbacks, 4 have been faircaught, 6 have landed inside the 20 and 8 have traveled 50+ yards. Opponents have fun success in the return game with 3 of the 11 punts that been returned going for touchdowns. Yes, they have allowed 3 punt returns for touchdowns. Because of this, they have a 27 yard return average.
On field goals, #47 Drew Schiller has only attempted 3, making 2 with a long of 41 yards. He also handles the kickoff duties and on 17 attempts has a 62 yard average and 11 touchbacks. EIU has been better on kick coverage with opponents having just a 22 yard return average and a long of 49 yards. As noted earlier, EIU has blocked a kick.
In the return game, EIU has been okay. #2 Devin Whitlock has 5 punt returns for 70 yards and a long of 43 yards. #0 Carlyun Neal has 3 kick returns for 91 total yards and a long of 61. While #1 Jacarre Fleming-Page has 2 returns for 31 total yards.
Prediction
This one could get ugly again. I think EIU is a step up from Stetson and New Haven, they are no where near as good as YSU. The only thing that could slow SDSU down is if there is a let down after a big win over the Penguins. However, I think this team is too veteran and goal driven to let that happen. I think Josh Holst has a huge day as the Jacks look to get him in rhythm (just in case) in the passing game before a tough stretch of MVFC play.
Jackrabbits 42 Panthers 7
Go Jacks!
Matt
