Eastern Illinois football picked 2nd in conference preseason poll

CHAMPAIGN (WCIA) — Eastern Illinois football was picked second in the Big South/Ohio Valley Conference preseason poll released Wednesday.

The Panthers received two first place votes with 53 points overall. Last year’s conference co-champion UT Martin topped the list with five first place votes and 61 points.

1. UT Martin (5) – 61
2. Eastern Illinois (2) – 53
3. Southeast Missouri (2) – 51
4. Tennessee State – 41
5. Gardner-Webb – 40
6. Charleston Southern – 27
7. Tennessee Tech – 24
8. Lindenwood – 18
9. Western Illinois – 9

Graduate quarterback Pierce Holley was also named the Big South/OVC Preseason Offensive Player of the Year.

Coming off an 8-3 finish last season, EIU head coach Chris Wilkerson is making the expectation the norm. After a 2-9 finish in 2022, Wilkerson has turned the program around. He said last year was about learning how to win, but the focus is now on taking the next step.

“That starts with preparation and it starts with work ethic,” Wilkerson said. “Those things don’t change. We’re still gonna continue to focus on the process. It’s nice (for) the players, they do like to have a validation. And that’s certainly a good thing for the program but we’re gonna get back to work and they’ve been working very very hard. And they know we’ve just been focused on just trying to take the next step and improve.”

Eastern Illinois opens their season against Illinois on Thursday, Aug. 29 at Memorial Stadium.

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