EIU Football Captains Named For Season
Published on August 27 2015 7:37 am
Last Updated on August 27 2015 7:37 am
Written by Millie Lange
CHARLESTON, Ill. -- Eastern Illinois head football coach Kim Dameron has announced the Panthers team captains for the 2015 season as voted on by the football team this week. Selected as team captains were Dino Fanti, Kamu Grugier-Hill, Shepard Little and Jalen Whitlow.
The Panthers open the 2015 season next Thursday, Sept. 3, at Western Illinois. Following a road game at Big Ten Conference member Northwestern on Sept. 12, EIU will host Illinois State on Sept. 19 for the Mid-America Classic. Season and single game tickets are available by calling 217-581-2106 or online at www.eiupanthertickets.com
Fanti (Venice, Fla./Venice HS) is a preseason All-OVC selection at defensive line after earning second team All-OVC honors each of the last two years. Last season he ranked third in the OVC and 43rd in the NCAA in tackles for loss with 15.5. Fanti finished the year with 64 total tackles. He enters the 2015 season with 33 career tackles for loss which ranks eighth on the EIU career list. He was named a second team preseason All-American by FootballGamePlan.com
Grugier-Hill (Papakolea, Haw./Kamehameha HS) is a preseason All-OVC selection at linebacker after earning first team All-OVC honors last year. Last season Grugier-Hill led the Panthers with 97 tackles which ranked 10th in the OVC. He added three interceptions, three pass break-ups and 9.5 tackles for loss. This preseason Grugier-Hill has been named to three preseason All-American teams.
Little (Schaumburg, Ill./Schaumburg HS) earned first team All-OVC honors two years ago as a key offensive weapon in the Panthers run to the FCS Playoff quarterfinals. Last season Little led the Panthers in rushing with 797 yards despite missing some time due to injuries. In two seasons Little has rushed for 2,373 yards and 18 touchdowns. He enters the 2015 season 12th on the EIU career rushing list.
Whitlow (Montgomery, Ala./Prattville HS) earned second team and All-OVC Newcomer honors last season as he started 10 games for the Panthers under center. Whitlow set the school record for single game and single season rushing yards by a quarterback. He also broke the school record of consecutive passes without an interception, previously held by currently New England Patriots quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo. Whitlow passed for 2,075 yards and rushed for 792 yards last season.
