What is their body of work?
They are not at their highest point, that is for sure. From 2000-2015, they were in the NCAA Tournament 10 times with 4 quarterfinal teams. That takes them two years after Babers left. Then, things went south. They had a couple of average seasons, a 3-8 year and did not renew Kim Dameron's contract. Things got a LOT worse, with the next guy going 3-26 over three years. He was let ago and the current coach was 2-9 last year and 1-0 this year, with a win over Indiana State, also a struggling program.
BG and EIU have never played. They are 4-9 against the MAC and lost by 7 to NIU last season.
How experienced are they?
They have 36 juniors and above on the roster, as those COVID years clear out. BG has 37.
Who are their pre-season all-conference players? (Phil Steele)
First, about their conference. There has been realignment going on in the FCS as well. The Panthers play in the OVC, but that conference dropped to below the number needed for an automatic bid. So, they have merged FOOTBALL-only with the Big South.
Here are players on the pre-season watch list.
RB Juwon Farri, Eastern Illinois, Sr. -- 2021 Big South Off. Player of the Year; 3x All-Conf.
WR Justin Thomas, Eastern Illinois, Gr. -- 4x All-MIAA; D3 All-America
OL Chad Strickland, Eastern Illinois, Sr. -- 2022 2nd Team All-OVC; 2019 Freshman All-America
LB Elijawah Tolbert, Eastern Illinois, Jr. -- 2022 1st Team All-OVC
DB Nick Coates, Eastern Illinois, Jr. -- 2022 2nd Team All-OVC
DB Russell Dandy, Eastern Illinois, 5th -- 2021 OVC All-Newcomer Team
PK Stone Galloway, Eastern Illinois, Sr. -- 2022 1st Team All-OVC
KR Mark Aitken, Eastern Illinois, Jr. -- 2022 2nd Team All-OVC
KR Cooper Willman, Eastern Illinois, Jr. -- 2022 2nd Team All-OVC
LS Jack Valente, Eastern Illinois, Jr. -- 2022 2nd Team All-OVC
What is their turnover ratio?
They were -4 last year and +4 in the opener.
Offense
How is their QB play?
Their QB is new, a transfer from Georgetown, where he was 2nd team All-Patriot. He was effective in the opener, at 63% completions, 12.8 yards per completion, 2 TD and 1 INT. He does not appear to be a dual-threat QB.
What is their scoring and yards per play
Last year they scored 22 points a game and had 4.7 yards per play, both of which were well below average. They scored 27 and 5.5 yards per play in the opening.
Can they run the ball?
Most of the backs are new. For example, the guy on the "watch list" earned all those accolades at Monmouth. He carried 1 time in the previous week. Their leading rusher was Kevin Daniels, a transfer from Northern Arizona. They rushed for 3.9 yards per carry, sack adjusted, in the opener.
Do they pass the ball?
They had success in the opener, as noted above. Their best received is Cooper Willman.
How is their run/pass balance?
In the opener it was pretty much 50/50.
Do they convert on 3rd Down,
42% in the opener.
Do they score in Red zone
1 TD in 3 red zone attempts
Do they protect the QB????
1 sack in 32 attempts.
Defense:
Topline: Scoring and yards per play
Last year they allowed 31 a game. They pitched a shutout against the Sycamore and allowed 3.5 yards per play. They have five new players on the 1-line.
Do they defend the run effectively?
They were pretty good, allowing 3.6 sack-adjusted yards per carry.
Can they be passed on?
They were not good last year. Held ISU to 50%, 8.9 yards per completion, and 4 INT
Do they get off the field on 3rd down?
Held ISU to 4 of 14
Do they defend in the red zone?
Did not allow ISU into the red zone.
Do they pressure the QB?
3 sacks on 29 attempts
Special Teams:
Punting?
They have a new punter and he was good, over 40 yards and 2 inside 20.
Punt Return?
No punt returns, although their return guys are on the watch list.
Placekicking?
Their kicker is back, he was really good. 11 of 12 last year and 11 of 11 inside 50.
Kickoff?
Not great, ISU started on the 30
Kickoff Return?
Started on 21
Intangible Miscellany
Look, this is one game on the schedule that BG is supposed to win. Last year we lost it and made a bowl game anyway. Despite the claims of Coach Loeffler, it was a loss to a team we should have beaten and a low point. Partly that happened by winning our G5 game....which we have already lost. This game simply must be won and won comfortably. A loss and I honestly don't see anything good happening.
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