EIU Sets 2013 Football Schedule

CHARLESTON, Ill. – Game times for Eastern Illinois five home football games have been set for the 2013 season as the Panthers will defend their Ohio Valley Conference regular season title at O’Brien Field.  The home schedule includes a season opening night game with in-state rival Illinois State along with afternoon contests for the four OVC games including Family Weekend against Eastern Kentucky and Homecoming against Southeast Missouri.

EIU opens the home season with a 6 p.m. kick off in the 102nd playing of the Mid-America Classic with Illinois State on Sept. 14.  The Panthers host Eastern Kentucky on Sept. 28 for Family Weekend with a 1:30 p.m. kick off.  EIU will also kick off at 1:30 p.m. for its homecoming game on Oct. 19 against Southeast Missouri.  The final two games of the year in November will both be 12 p.m. (Noon) starts on Nov. 2 against Tennessee Tech and Nov. 16 against Jacksonville State.

Season tickets are now on sale through the EIU ticket office at 217-581-2106 or online through www.eiupanthertickets.com  Individual game tickets go on sale August 1.  Season tickets are $65 this season with discounted rates for EIU Faculty/Staff members.  Fans that purchase or renew season tickets by May 30 will be entered into a drawing for a St. Louis Cardinals baseball package.  Each season ticket renewed or purchased will result in one entry into the drawing.  The winner will receive two (2) infield box tickets to the Cardinals June 22 (Saturday) game against the Texas Rangers (6:15 start), a single game parking pass, $150 pre-paid Visa Gift Card for dinner and $30 BP Gas Card and one night accommodation at the Omni Majestic Hotel located less than ½ mile from Busch Stadium (hotel package is the Cardinals Bullpen Package which includes breakfast for two, complimentary valet parking and $25 in Cardinals bucks).

In addition to season tickets for home games, EIU fans may also purchase tickets to the Panthers road games at Southern Illinois and Northern Illinois.  Call the EIU ticket office at 217-581-2106 to purchase tickets for the EIU section.

The Panthers 2013 road schedule begins with the season opener on August 31 at San Diego State.  EIU then plays at Southern Illinois on Sept. 7.  The final non-conference road game is Sept. 21 at Northern Illinois.  OVC road games this season take place on Oct. 12 at Austin Peay, Oct. 26 at Tennessee State, Nov. 9 at Murray State and Nov. 23 at UT Martin.