EIU Football Travels to Austin Peay for Thursday Night Football

Oct 10, 2013 7:09 AM

Eastern Illinois opened defense of its Ohio Valley Conference title with a convincing 42-7 win over Eastern Kentucky as the Panthers have now won five straight OVC games dating back to the 2012 season. The Panthers moved up to No. 5 in the polls following the win marking the fifth time that EIU has climbed into the top five during a season in the program’s FCS history.

EIU is coming off a bye week as they will play Austin Peay on a Thursday night. The game was adjusted due to fall break on the APSU campus. EIU entered the bye week with the nation’s top ranked offense as EIU averaged 598 yards per game of total offense through the first five contests. The Panthers are second in passing offense, fourth in scoring offense and 57th in rushing offense. EIU’s defense has helped the EIU offense by forcing turnovers as the Panthers lead the nation with 11 pass interceptions.

Austin Peay enters the game with a 0-5 record following a 38-3 loss at Eastern Kentucky on Saturday. The Governors will be play their home opener after five road games to open the year and a bye week during week five. APSU has struggled on offense scoring just 16 points this year with only one touchdown. The Governors have won two straight at home as Governors Stadium will under go extensive renovations following the 2013 season.

This will be the 14th meeting between Eastern Illinois and Austin Peay. The Panthers hold a 10-3 series advantage including a 65-15 win in Charleston last year. EIU has won four straight in the series and six of seven games the schools have played as OVC foes. EIU’s last loss in Clarksville was in 1958.

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