ISU/MVFC NOTEBOOK: Sycamores look to get another win against EIU
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Indiana State’s football team kicks off Game 3 of its season Saturday at Eastern Illinois at O'Brien Field in Charleston, Ill.
Kickoff is slated for 7 p.m. EDT.
The two sides last met in 2025 when the Sycamores defended their home field with a 38-14 win Sept. 6. Should ISU win Saturday, it'd be the Sycamores' second consecutive victory over the Panthers after dropping a close one in 2024 in Charleston, 27-20.
EIU is coming off a rough 59-7 loss at Minnesota last week after defeating Murray State on the road 28-14.
"I think it was a big win against Murray State, to go down there to Murray, Kentucky, that's a heck of a win and to win by two touchdowns, that's a huge win for them," Mallory said of the Panthers' week one win over the Racers.
Mallory said the Panthers made some big plays in some critical times and even in the bad loss at Minnesota last week, he thought they competed, but had a couple punt returns that hurt them.
ISU is coming off of a 44-19 loss at Purdue where the Sycamores took precaution and put in Brady Allen to start to the fourth quarter. That move was something that caught the eye of EIU coach Chris Wilkerson who explained they're preparing for both quarterbacks.
"Elijah Owens is a very special football player, he can make every play on the field and he can extend plays with his feet," Wilkerson said.
With Allen, Wilkerson said he really shows a big strong arm.
"He's look very productive and he can throw the football vertically down the field," Wilkerson said.
Wilkerson also acknowledged the weapons the Sycamores have in Dane Pardridge and Jayden Reed.
• Reed leads ISU in receiving with seven catches for 114 yards and two touchdowns.
• Owens is set to go at quarterback as he's currently 32-49 for 389 yards, two touchdowns and an interception.
• Nic Yatsko leads the Sycamore defense with 21 tackles and a pass breakup.
• The Sycamores are 6-4 overall against the Ohio Valley in their last 10 matchups dating back to the 2015 season.
Scouting EIU
• Panthers like MVFC opponents as EIU started out with Murray State before taking on ISU this Saturday and will play at Illinois State next week before traveling to South Dakota State the following week.
• A common opponent looms for EIU as this will be the second Ohio Valley Conference opponent the Sycamores will face this season. The Sycamores opened the season against Southeast Missouri State who beat ISU 23-21. EIU sees the Redhawks at home on Oct. 24.
• Wilkerson told the Tribune-Star that his team is grateful to be at home against ISU on Saturday as the Panthers start the season with five of their first six games on the road.
• Quarterback Cole LaCrue is 18-30 for 152 yards and two touchdowns this season.
• Running back Charles Kellom was named the OVC Offensive Player of the Week following his week 1 performance against Murray State with 171 yards and three touchdowns. Samuel Gonzalez however leads EIU with three catches for 50 yards.
• Ja'Wuan Nickson leads the Panther defense with 11 tackles, three for a loss and an interception.
MVFC notes
• Northern Iowa and NFL Hall of Famer Kurt Warner is set to have his jersey retired prior to kickoff of the Panthers' game against Drake.
• Other matchups for MVFC teams include South Dakota hosting Big Sky foe Eastern Washington, Youngstown State hosting Duquesne, South Dakota State hosting New Haven, Illinois State going to Northern Illinois, Murray State hosting Valparaiso, Southern Illinois hosting SEMO and North Dakota traveling to Big Sky foe Portland State.
• The Southern Illinois Salukis out of FCS Top 25 as North Dakota, South Dakota, South Dakota State, Youngstown State and Illinois State remain ranked.
• South Dakota to bring Native American art into matchup vs. Eastern Washington. It will be the first DI football game in which both teams will be wearing helmets featuring Indigenous languages. The Coyotes' helmets which debuted last season will read Sungmanitu, which is Lakota for Coyote. They will also have a design along the top that represents the Oceti Sakowin, which is more commonly known as the Seven Council Fires.
Wabash Valley notes
• Rose-Hulman (0-1) is coming off a 31-23 loss to then NCAA Division III No. 13-ranked DePauw last weekend. The Engineers will travel to Kalamazoo on Saturday.
• Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College is coming off a 38-28 loss at Lawrence Tech last weekend. The Pomeroys will play at No. 4 Indiana Wesleyan University on Saturday.
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