Illinois - EIU preview

September 5, 2008 5:05 PM

Dallas Cowboys QB,
national celebrity and
EIU alum Tony Romo

11:00am BTN | Memorial Stadium (62,800)

Illinois Loyalty Prediction

Illinois 51 - EIU 6

After an Illini TD on the game's opening drive, Eastern returns the kickoff 106 yards for a score but fails to take the lead on the 2-pt conversion. Between breaks in the Renaissance Celebration the offense continues to rack up big numbers thru the air, and the defense restores some of its pride after improving upon the tackling (pride will return to 100% after the LA-Lafayette game).

The last time

Illinois and Eastern played its only contest in the 2006 season-opener at Memorial Stadium, the Illini prevailed 42-17. Running backs Pierre Thomas and E.B. Halsey combined for 200+ yards, and freshman Juice Williams saw his first action for the orange and blue going 2-4 thru the air for 25 yards.

Illinois finished 2006 with a sad 2-10 record, including last-second field goal defeats to Indiana and Ohio, and the painfully close 17-10 game against #1 Ohio St.

Numbers

Illinois has won its last 10 home-openers at Memorial Stadium. The last loss came during the winless 1997 season to Southern Miss, 24-7.
Nationally, Juice Williams is #3 and Illinois is #4 is passing yards per game (451). Will Judson is #3 nationally in receiving yards per game (177).
The Illini enter Saturday's contest ranked #24 in the AP and #25 in the USA Today Coaches' poll. As a ranked team, Illinois is 8-7 in the 2000s. The last time Illinois was ranked for a home opener was in 2000 against Middle Tennessee St (W, 35-6).
Before the 2007 season, capacity at Memorial Stadium was 69,000. For the 2007 season with most of the West Side closed for construction and the new North End Zone opened for the first time, capacity was 55,000. This season, with the West Side balcony/suites/club areas open for business, capacity is listed at 62,800.
The last time there was 62,000+ at Memorial Stadium was the 2002 Michigan game (69,249; L, 45-28). The last time there was a home-opener sellout was the 1995 Michigan game (70,193; L, 38-14).
EIU enters the game 0-1. The Panthers lost to Central Michigan last week 31-12.
In 19 seasons, coach Bob Spoo has a 119-98-1 record with EIU.

News and notes

All about the Illinois Renaissance Celebration.
Ron Zook wants to improve upon tackling, defensive strategy, and not listening to the hype.
Illini wants to put on a show for the legends.
Judson has eyes on big season for Illini.
Zook wants Illini defense to let loose.
Like Illini, Eastern's offense comes in angry.
EIU's long-time coach keeps on ticking.

Illinois vs EIU Pregame Thread

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Filed under: Eastern Illinois Panthers, Illini Football