EIU Releases 2018 Football Schedule

CHARLESTON, Ill – Eastern Illinois football will play five home football games and play at against a member of the Southeastern Conference for the first time in school history as the Panthers released their 2018 football schedule.  The Panthers posted a 6-5 record last season as they finished with a winning record for the third straight season under head coach Kim Dameron who is entering his fifth season.
 
The season will kick off on Labor Day weekend as EIU will play at Arkansas on Saturday, Sept. 1.  This will be the first time that EIU has faced a member of the Southeastern Conference.  The game will be a homecoming for Panthers head coach Kim Dameron who played for the Razorbacks in the early 1980’s.   EIU is 0-1 against current SEC members as they lost to Missouri during the 2003 season when the Tigers were members of the Big 12 Conference.

EIU will then travel to Illinois State on Sept. 8 for the annual Mid-America Classic against the Redbirds.  ISU won in Charleston last season to return to traveling trophy back to Normal.  The road team has won the last three games in the series.
 
EIU will then play back-to-back home games at O'Brien Field welcoming Indiana State on Sept. 15 for the season opener.  Last season the two teams renewed the long-time rivalry with the Panthers winning on a touchdown pass in the final seconds to win the season opener.  The Panthers will then open Ohio Valley Conference play at home hosting Tennessee State on Sept. 22.  EIU beat TSU in double overtime last season in Nashville.  The game will serve as Family Weekend for EIU this year.
 
EIU's remaining three home games take place on Oct. 6 against Murray State, Oct. 20 against UT Martin and Nov. 10 against Austin Peay.  The Oct. 6 game will be the Panthers annual Hall of Fame contest.  The annual homecoming game is set for Oct. 20.
 
The Panthers four OVC road contests will be Sept. 29 at Tennessee Tech, Oct. 13 at Jacksonville State, Oct. 27 at Eastern Kentucky and Nov. 17 at Southeast Missouri.  The FCS playoffs first round takes place on Nov. 24.
 
Season ticket renewals and sales will take place in May.
 
EIU opens spring practice in preparation for the 2018 season on Tuesday, March 20.  The annual Blue-White Spring Game is set for Saturday, April 21 at O'Brien Field.  Start time for the Spring Game will be announced in the coming weeks.
 
2018 EIU Football Schedule

Sept. 1 at Arkansas

Sept. 8 at Illinois State

Sept. 15 vs. Indiana State

Sept. 22 vs. Tennessee State (Family Weekend) *

Sept. 29 at Tennessee Tech *

Oct. 6 vs. Murray State (Hall of Fame) *

Oct. 13 at Jacksonville State *

Oct. 20 vs. UT Martin (Homecoming) *

Oct. 27 at Eastern Kentucky *

Nov. 10 vs. Austin Peay *

Nov. 17 at Southeast Missouri *

Nov. 24 at FCS Playoffs