EIU Remains in FCS Top Ten Poll

CHARLESTON, Ill. – Eastern Illinois remained in the FCS Top Ten in the Sports Network poll while falling two spots to No. 12 in the FCS Coaches Top 25.  The Panthers fell to 3-1 on the season following a shootout loss, 43-39, to last year’s Orange Bowl participant Northern Illinois on Saturday night.

The Panthers open defense of their Ohio Valley Conference title this Saturday against Eastern Kentucky.  Kickoff is 1:30 p.m. at O’Brien Field for the Family Weekend game to be carried on ESPN3.  Tickets can be purchased by calling 217-581-2106 or online at www.eiupanthertickets.com   EIU is also running an OVC season ticket package for fans for only $50 you can get a reserved seat for all four remaining conference home games.

North Dakota State remained the nation’s number one team in both polls with all 26 first place votes in the FCS Coaches poll and 157 of 158 first place votes in the Sports Network poll.  The two polls were slightly different in their top ten rankings after the Bison.

Sports Network’s top ten included Eastern Washington at No. 2 followed by Towson, Sam Houston State, Northern Iowa, South Dakota State, Montana, Eastern Illinois, McNeese State and New Hampshire.

The FCS Coaches top ten included Towson at No. 2 followed by Eastern Washington, Sam Houston State, Northern Iowa, South Dakota State, New Hampshire, Montana, McNeese State and Montana State.

The remainder of the Sports Network Top 25 had Montana State at No. 11 followed by Coastal Carolina, Central Arkansas, James Madison, Georgia Southern, Fordham, Wofford, Cal Poly, Villanova, Bethune-Cookman, Lehigh, Richmond, UT Martin, Northern Arizona and poll newcomer Gardner-Webb at No. 25.

The remainder of the FCS Coaches Top 25 had Coastal Carolina at No. 11 followed by Eastern Illinois, Central Arkansas, James Madison, Wofford, Fordham, Lehigh, Bethune-Cookman, Cal Poly, Richmond, Villanova, Northern Arizona, Stony Brook, Illinois State and poll newcomer Youngstown State at No. 25.