Not much, thats what Eastern football team gets Nov 10, 2008
Not much, Eastern Illinois football coach said. Not much is what the Panthers got when Saturday s game was in the balance. (Mattoon Journal-Gazette, IL)
Panthers lose at Tennessee State Nov 9, 2008
TODAY'S HEADLINES SPECIAL SECTION ONLINE POLL. How should schools observe Veterans Day. (Mattoon Journal-Gazette, IL)
Panthers hope to stand up to huge TSU linemen Nov 6, 2008
For the second straight week Trevor Frerichs gets to be a trash talker in Eastern Illinois football locker room. Fullback Chip Keys was his first victim. (Mattoon Journal-Gazette, IL)
Panthers take a stand Nov 3, 2008
It includes words that may have had him running extra sprints at the end of an Eastern Illinois football practice and for sure would have gotten a reporter fired for repeating them in a newspaper. Hoder and his defensive teammates did not stoop to that when Murray State s Zach Kutch returned the ball 45 yards to the EIU 9-yard line for what threatened to be a game-changing interception 49 seconds before halftime. (Mattoon Journal-Gazette, IL)
A game to make Eastern football alumni proud Nov 3, 2008
No, Pete Catan didn t threaten Eastern Illinois football players with his sledge hammer. Current Panthers were not even born when the All-American defensive end from the 1978 NCAA Division II championship team carried that hammer around campus as a symbol of his hard work. (Mattoon Journal-Gazette, IL)
Just too many distractions in EIU loss Oct 27, 2008
Hudson, up-and-rising kick returner/receiver Shawn Williams and backup linebacker Sean Campbell all were left home Eastern Illinois football trip to Eastern Kentucky. Principled coach Bob Spoo has never wanted to broadcast such in-house disciplinary measures. (Mattoon Journal-Gazette, IL)
Pre-med Johnson operating on field Oct 25, 2008
As a defensive end for Eastern Illinois football team, before treating patients Johnson is still trying to tackle ball carries, a practice he does not want to give up quite yet. It means a lot, Johnson said of this football season. (Mattoon Journal-Gazette, IL)
Little comes easy against EKU Oct 23, 2008
CHARLESTON -- As film critics, Eastern Illinois football coaches would definitely give thumbs down. Few happy revelations come from these Eastern Kentucky game films. (Mattoon Journal-Gazette, IL)
Talking about former and current linebackers Sep 9, 2008
Tim Carver, one of the leaders of mid-1990s teams that helped turn Bob Spoo s Eastern Illinois football program into a perennial postseason playoff qualifier, e-mailed last week. As an alumnus following Coach Spoo and the Panthers from afar, I now count on your online blogs and articles to keep me up on the in s and out s of my team, Carver wrote. (Mattoon Journal-Gazette, IL)
Illini Gear Up for 2008 Alumni Reunion Weekend Sep 4, 2008
"This weekend is always exciting for all involved. Other notable former Illini returning to their roots include Adam Ambielli (1985), Jim Appleman (1975), Todd Black (1982), Lelia Cehajic (2005), Lewis Cort (1981), Charly Crawmer (1994), Cynthia Goulet (2006), Webb Hayne (1976), Stephen Hill (1955), (2006), Greg Philiotis (1985), John Quarenghi (1987), Howard Robinson (1952), Hope Thompson-Haberer (1977), and (2003). The reunion kicks off with a round robin competition at the Atkins Tennis... (Fightingillini.com)
After losing son, EIU player leans on teammates Aug 23, 2008
CHARLESTON -- As Eastern Illinois football teammates were starting preseason practice, Seymour Loftman held his dying baby in his arms. After months of fighting, Elijah James Loftman, who was born prematurely, could fight no longer. (Mattoon Journal-Gazette, IL)
Backs lack experience, but ready to go for EIU Aug 18, 2008
Face it, Eastern Illinois football fans. At least in the early and tough going, things may be dependent on what looks like a good defense and a running game relying on a junior who has scored one collegiate touchdown, and a true freshman. (Mattoon Journal-Gazette, IL)
EIU single-game tickets to go on sale Monday Aug 9, 2008
CHARLESTON -- Single-game tickets for the 2008 Eastern Illinois football season are to go go on sale to the general public at 9 a.m. Monday. Fans can purchase tickets by calling 581-2106 or order online at. (Mattoon Journal-Gazette, IL)
Transfer could lead Eastern's running game Aug 7, 2008
CHARLESTON The backfield trio of Norris Smith, Travorus Bess and Chevon Walker has already received a nickname, one that Walker unveiled at Eastern Illinois Football Media Day on Tuesday without hinting where it came from. Combine a big, power back (Smith) with two smaller, speedier backs (Bess and Walker) and what you get is Thunder and Lightning. (Mattoon Journal-Gazette, IL)
New EIU guide tops a 'phone book' moment Jul 22, 2008
As much as I sit in July waiting to see an Eastern Illinois football scrimmage, after a few plays the realization returns that none of this counts, I m not smart enough to really make any preseason analysis from EIU against EIU and that all I really want is that Aug. 28 kickoff at Central Michigan. But this week, opening the EIU football media guide marks an annual occasion always topping Steve Martin seeing his name in print. (Mattoon Journal-Gazette, IL)
2008 Eastern football tickets go on sale today Jul 8, 2008
CHARLESTON -- Season tickets for the 2008 Eastern Illinois football season are to go on sale today as the Panthers announced game times for all 12 contests for the 2008 season. Tickets can be purchased by calling 581-2106 or visiting. (Mattoon Journal-Gazette, IL)
Eastern announced season ticket plans Jul 4, 2008
CHARLESTON - Season tickets for the 2008 Eastern Illinois football season are to go on sale to the public on Tuesday. Tickets can be purchased by calling 581-2106 or visiting. (Mattoon Journal-Gazette, IL)
Bears Babich visits EIU camp Jun 20, 2008
one of the high school participants in Eastern Illinois football camp said. Babich was probably glad another camper jumped in with the answer. (Mattoon Journal-Gazette, IL)
QB competition ongoing for Eastern Apr 14, 2008
CHARLESTON Adaptations to Eastern Illinois football s new look on offense continue today with quarterback evaluations part of this second spring scrimmage. Bodie Reeder is the incumbent but certainly not the only quarterback in the picture as the Panthers look at a spread offense. (Mattoon Journal-Gazette, IL)
Defense looks good but questions remain after EIU scrimmage Apr 14, 2008
Few things confuse me more than a football scrimmage, said Eastern Illinois football and basketball radio broadcaster said watching Saturday s spring football scrimmage to maybe gain some knowledge for next September s games buy more likely just to watch some sports on an winterlike April morning when little else could be played. Bob Spoo, he of 119 victories and nine postseason playoff berths in his 21 years as Eastern s had football coach, did not clear up much either. (Mattoon Journal-Gazette, IL)
Eastern glad to have Wittke coming abck Mar 6, 2008
Roy Wittke is to begin working as offensive coordinator for Eastern Illinois football team effective July 1. Still under contract at Northern Illinois, which changed staffs following last year s retirement of head coach Joe Novak, Wittke has been on campus this week meeting some players he is to eventually coach and watching game films on a volunteer basis. (Mattoon Journal-Gazette, IL)
Eastern's announcement to follow Super Sunday Feb 2, 2008
More Florida speed is coming the way of Eastern Illinois football team as a wide receiver or maybe if needed a running back. Shawn Williams of Coconut Creek has given his verbal commitment. (Mattoon Journal-Gazette, IL)
EIU offensive coordinator leaving Jan 16, 2008
Eastern Illinois football offensive coordinator Jorge Munoz has accepted a position as quarterbacks coach and passing coordinator at Louisiana-Lafayette. It s a Division I opportunity and about double the salary so it s kind of hard to say no to that, Munoz said. (Mattoon Journal-Gazette, IL)
Last-minute sports wishes under the tree Dec 24, 2007
n For Eastern Illinois football coach Bob Spoo: A full healthy football season after the frustrations of missing all or parts of the past two. For any of us around the program, it s not the same without the class act on the sideline and in the interview room. (Mattoon Journal-Gazette, IL)
Eastern's Walters is third-team All-American Dec 13, 2007
NEW YORK From an Eastern Illinois football team with others receiving more preseason accolades, Pierre Walters as emerged as the Panthers All-American. The junior defensive and EIU s leader in quarterback sacks was named third team on the Associated Press NCAA Football Championship Subdivision All-American squad announced Wednesday. (Mattoon Journal-Gazette, IL)
Writing, cooking and the IBCA: Nielsen does it all Dec 13, 2007
Mike Bradd, the voice of Eastern Illinois football and men s basketball, marveled at his memory of what has been served in press boxes. It s a consistent part of Nielsen s self-deprecating wit. (Mattoon Journal-Gazette, IL)
EIU announces Spoo is back Nov 30, 2007
CHARLESTON Bob Spoo earlier this week gave every indication he was returning as Eastern Illinois football coach and the university on Thursday made it official. EIU administration announced that the longtime Panthers head football is to return for his 22nd season on the Charleston campus in 2008. (Mattoon Journal-Gazette, IL)
Spoo's pain now comes from playoffs Nov 28, 2007
I was hurting, Eastern Illinois football coach said. I was in pain. (Mattoon Journal-Gazette, IL)
Could Brickey haunt Eastern again? Nov 17, 2007
Or maybe Eastern Illinois football coach added him to his staff two years ago out of respect. Spoo has not forgotten how in the 2004 season opener his Panthers had a 14-point lead over Indiana State in the fourth quarter only for the Sycamores, with their third-string quarterback and Brickey as the offensive coordinator, to rally for a 33-30 overtime win. (Mattoon Journal-Gazette, IL)
This EIU quarterback can come back, too Oct 22, 2007
Eastern Illinois football coach did not want to have some fans ready to leave the game in the third quarter rendering this a lost season or put his own 69-year-old nerves to the test. He is not one for unneeded drama any more than his former quarterback Tony Romo two weeks earlier threw five interceptions and lost a fumble before rallying the Dallas Cowboys to a victory and doing a happy you-mean-there-were-only-five-interceptions/it-seemed-like-seven postgame interview on Monday Night Football. (Mattoon Journal-Gazette, IL)
UT-Martin's 1-6 mark no joke to EIU Oct 18, 2007
Eastern Illinois football coach called Tennessee-Martin the best 1-6 team in the country. OK, check all the standings. (Mattoon Journal-Gazette, IL)
Panthers to play Penn State in big 2009 payday Oct 4, 2007
CHARLESTON In two years, Eastern Illinois football coach Bob Spoo, who turns 70 next month, hopes to be the young buck in a coaching match-up ... Athletics director Ken Baker has announced the signing of a contract that will have the Eastern Illinois football team traveling to play Penn State University in October of 2009. (Mattoon Journal-Gazette, IL)
Just like old times for EIU Oct 4, 2007
CHARLESTON Maybe Eastern Illinois football players know more than coach Bob Spoo thinks they do. While Eastern Kentucky has an Ohio Valley Conference best 18 league championship and 1979 and 1981 NCAA Division I-AA national championships, none of those titles have come since 1997. (Mattoon Journal-Gazette, IL)
Hurting Panthers can be glad for now Oct 1, 2007
At least for a few minutes Saturday, Bob Spoo was not fretting over injuries that might prove critical heading into what at least until next week is Eastern Illinois football game of the year ... After 120 previous wins as the winningest head coach in Eastern Illinois football history, who would have thought Saturday s 31-16 come-from-behind win over a Southeast Missouri team now 2-3 and without losing seasons the previous three years could land on such Spoo pedestal. (Mattoon Journal-Gazette, IL)
Purdue proves to be too much Sep 10, 2007
The often inconsolable Eastern Illinois football coach seemed in better sorts after a loss than about anytime in his 20-year head coaching career that now stands 120-99-1. Some good old friends, Spoo said. (Mattoon Journal-Gazette, IL)
Baker named EIU's interim AD Aug 22, 2007
CHARLESTON Officials at Eastern Illinois football games this fall could come under close scrutiny from one who has thrown flags at NFL games. Ken Baker, now an NFL replay official after working on the field from 1991 through 2001, laughed at the thought of intimidating those blowing whistles in Ohio Valley Conference games. (Mattoon Journal-Gazette, IL)
After much work, it's time to play Aug 8, 2007
One of the many to mention would be Bradd, who as an assistant coach for Post 88 s state championship team knows baseball and as the radio play-by-play man for Eastern Illinois football and basketball knows how to serve as the tourney media director. Plus, that means we could hardly find anyone better to be the public address announcer. (Mattoon Journal-Gazette, IL)
Freshmen QBs - young and old - willing to wait Aug 8, 2007
CHARLESTON The 22-year-old and the star of the state champion both knew their places at Eastern Illinois football media day. Rookies. (Mattoon Journal-Gazette, IL)
Injuries hit Panthers early Aug 7, 2007
While Monday afternoon s rain washed out most of the scheduled kids clinic at Eastern Illinois football media day, what has really dampened the start of preseason practice are injuries to Smith, the Panthers top returning rusher, and Kesler, who was being counted on to contribute both as a wide receiver and kick returner. Smith was bothered by pain and then learned he had a partial tear in his knee that is likely to sideline him at least for the first half of the season. (Mattoon Journal-Gazette, IL)
A promising sign for an EIU star Jul 12, 2007
A surge went through the arm the former Eastern Illinois football player had seemingly suffered irreparable damage to, the first movement he had experienced since receiving a nerve transplant and coming out of surgery to repair his brachial plexus eight months ago. Sellers said that he had just been talking to a co-worker who told him that she had lit a candle for him in the church she attends near his Chicago home. (Mattoon Journal-Gazette, IL)
EIU ranked 14th in Street & Smith Jun 30, 2007
CHARLOTTE, N.C. Eastern Illinois football added another preseason ranking to its 2007 resume as the Panthers were picked 14th in the Street & Smith FCS preseason poll which hit newsstands earlier this week. In addition to the No. 14 ranking, EIU was also tabbed as the favorite to repeat as OVC Champions. (Mattoon Journal-Gazette, IL)
Thomas, Rucker among nation's best Jun 22, 2007
Eastern Illinois football seniors Donald Thomas and Micah Rucker have both been listed among the preseason top 5 players at their position by the Sports Network. The Ohio Valley had a total of eight players recognized among the nation s best at their positions in the rankings for the Football Championship Subdivision, previously known as NCAA Division I-AA.. (Mattoon Journal-Gazette, IL)
Bragging rights on the line for EIU football Apr 25, 2007
CHARLESTON Forget the old dinner bets between Eastern Illinois football coaches. The loser never pays anyway so it was a futile bet, defensive coordinator Roc Bellantoni said. (Mattoon Journal-Gazette, IL)
Spoo passes first test at EIU practice Mar 31, 2007
CHARLESTON -- Quarterbacks and other Eastern Illinois football players might be under scrutiny but no question who was the most watched at Friday s first spring football practice. This is going to be a real test for me, head coach Bob Spoo said about a half hour before going from his office desk to the O Brien Stadium field. (Mattoon Journal-Gazette, IL)
Munoz now coordinator; Hoover added to staff Mar 31, 2007
CHARLESTON -- Vincent Webb was back on Eastern Illinois football field Friday. At least the sideline edge of it. (Mattoon Journal-Gazette, IL)
In Spoo’s absence, Romo U got plenty of recruits Feb 8, 2007
We have also tried to recruit the best football players available that would be good fits into our Eastern Illinois football program. We want to be in a situation were we can reload. (Mattoon Journal-Gazette, IL)
EIU football moves up game Jan 26, 2007
2007 Eastern Illinois Football Schedule. Thursday August 30 * TENNESSEE TECH. (Mattoon Journal-Gazette, IL)
