EIU Drops Outside Top 25 in Poll

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Published on September 16 2016 10:36 am
Last Updated on September 16 2016 10:36 am
Written by Millie Lange

Following its sixth win over an FBS program on Saturday night, Eastern Illinois football climbed to just outside the Top 25 in both FCS polls released on Monday.  The Panthers return to action this weekend facing their second nationally ranked FCS opponent this year with a game at No. 5 Illinois State in the 105th playing of the Mid-America Classic.
 
EIU dropped its season opener to nationally ranked Western Illinois but rebounded in week two with a 21-17 win over Miami (Ohio).  It was the first win over an FBS program for EIU since a 40-19 win over San Diego State in 2013.
 
The Panthers are the second team also receiving votes (No. 27) in the FCS Coaches Top 25.   EIU is the third team also receiving votes (No. 28) in the FCS STATS Media Top 25.   Saturday’s game at Illinois State will be televised on Comcast Sports Net Chicago with live internet streaming on ESPN3.  Kickoff is at 2 p.m.
 
North Dakota State remained No. 1 in both polls after holding off Eastern Washington.  Richmond was number two in both polls followed by Sam Houston State.
 
In the FCS Coaches Top 25 Chattanooga climbed to number four followed by Illinois State, Jacksonville State, Eastern Washington, James Madison, Montana and South Dakota State in the top ten.  Northern Iowa fell to No. 11 followed by Charleston Southern, McNeese State, William & Mary, The Citadel, Western Illinois, Portland State, Villanova, North Carolina A&T and Youngstown State in the top twenty.  The final five schools in the poll were Southern Utah, Harvard, Colgate, Northern Arizona and Albany.
 
In the FCS STATS Media Top 25 Jacksonville State was fourth followed by Illinois State, Chattanooga, Montana, Eastern Washington, South Dakota State and Northern Iowa in the top ten.  James Madison was 11th followed by Charleston Southern, William & Mary, McNeese State, The Citadel, Western Illinois, Coastal Carolina, North Carolina A&T, Portland State, Youngstown State, Villanova, New Hampshire, Colgate, Northern Arizona and Albany rounding out the ranked teams.