Illinois State at Eastern Illinois- 9/1 6:30 CST Game Thread

[eiu1999]

THE GAME
Eastern Illinois and Illinois State open the season against each other in the 100th playing of the Mid-America Classic. The rivalry is one of the oldest at the FCS level ranking 12th in number of rivalry meetings. This season the two schools will play for the Mid-America Classic traveling trophy which will be awarded to the winning school to house on their campus for the year.
Eastern Illinois enters what will be Coach Bob Spoo's final season with the Panthers ending a 25-year head coaching stint at the school. EIU finished last season with a 2-9 record, 2-6 in the OVC. The Panthers did find some late season momentum winning two of their final three games to close out 2010. Spoo holds a 10-10-1 all-time record against Illinois State.
Illinois State is coming off of back-to-back 6-5 seasons as they finished with a winning record in 2010 by virtue of a 27-23 win over Eastern Illinois.

THE SERIES
This will be 100th meeting between Eastern Illinois and Illinois State in a rivalry that is now known as the Mid-America Classic. Illinois State leads the all-time series 51-39-9 including a 27-23 win in Normal last season. The two schools first met in 1901 with Eastern Illinois claiming a 28-0 victory. The longest EIU win streak in the series was eight years from 1924-31. The longest ISU win streak in the series was seven years from 1967-73.


http://jg-tc.com/sports/eastern/article_82d342a8-d449-11e0-a063-001cc4c03286.html

http://jg-tc.com/sports/eastern/article_08a288be-d448-11e0-91f5-001cc4c03286.html

[birdsflyhigh]

Look for the Birds to invade Charleston, earn a W, then bring home the trophy back to Normal.

Go get 'em Birds!! xnodx

[eiu1999]

I've talked to a few people going to the game, there should be a pretty good crowd.

Should be about 93 degrees and sunny at kickoff.

[eiu1999]

Leaving work and heading home, then off to the game with my wife.

[Twentysix]

EIU with a safety. 2-0

[eiu1999]

Good win for EIU last night over ISU 33-26. Big crowd of 9,000.

The good:
The defense only gave up 17 points to a touted high scoring ISU team.
Sophmore QB Jimmy Garoppolo 25-34, 304 yards, 3 TDs, 0 INTs and a rushing TD. The kid has confidence and swagger.
Outstanding WR play from Lorence Ricks, 7 rec 114 yards, TD and Chris Wright 5 rec, 46 yards, TD.
Safety Nick Martinez with two picks in the final 3 minutes of the game to ice it.
This EIU team has a lot more personality and fire than what I've witness the last 5-6 years. Lots of energy.
Freshman RB AJ Woodson, stepped up in 2nd half to show glimpse of huge potential. Fastest and quickest EIU back I've ever seen.

The Bad:
Kickoff coverage was sloppy, hopefully just rusty and will improve.
Arrant snap from center went over QBs head and ISU recovered in endzone for TD.
Running defense was a bit suspect.
Starting RB Jake Walker left game with ankle injury.