EIU Announces 2019 Football Schedule

CHARLESTON, Ill. – Eastern Illinois football announced its 2019 schedule on Monday which will include a number of firsts for the Panthers program.

The first new look for the Panthers will be on the sidelines as EIU will be under the direction of Adam Cushing who was hired as the 25th head coach in program history in December.  The long-time Northwestern University assistant coach will see his team open the first two weeks on the road against a pair of first-time opponents for EIU.

EIU opens the season on Thursday, Aug. 29 at Chattanooga before facing Big Ten Conference member Indiana on Sept. 7 in Bloomington, Ind.

The home opener for EIU will be on Sept. 14 against Illinois State in the 108th playing of the Mid-America Classic.  The Panthers then close out the non-conference season on Sept. 21 at Indiana State.

Ohio Valley Conference play opens at home on Sept. 28 as the Panthers welcome Tennessee Tech for Family Weekend.   EIU will also play host to Jacksonville State on Oct. 12, Eastern Kentucky on Oct. 26 and Southeast Missouri on Nov. 16 for OVC games.  This year’s homecoming game is Oct. 26 against Eastern Kentucky.

The OVC road schedule includes visits to Murray State on Oct. 5, UT Martin on Oct. 19, Tennessee State on Nov. 9 and Austin Peay on Nov. 23.

The Panthers are slated to begin spring practice on Tuesday, March 19 following Spring Break on the EIU campus.

Season ticket sales and renewals for the 2019 season will begin in April.

2018 EIU Football Schedule

Aug. 29 – at Chattanooga

Sept. 7 – at Indiana

Sept. 14 – Illinois State

Sept. 21 – at Indiana State

Sept. 28 – Tennessee Tech * (FW)

Oct. 5 – at Murray State *

Oct. 12 – Jacksonville State *

Oct. 19 – at UT Martin *

Oct. 26 – Eastern Kentucky * (HC)

Nov. 9 – at Tennessee State *

Nov. 16 – Southeast Missouri *

Nov. 23 – at Austin Peay *

Nov. 30 – FCS Playoffs

* Ohio Valley Conference Game