FCS-CFB Game Preview: Eastern Illinois Panthers (1‑0) vs. Indiana State Sycamores (1‑0)

0
397

Venue, Date & Time

Date: Saturday, September 6, 2025

Kickoff: 1:02 p.m. ET

Venue: Memorial Stadium, 3300 Wabash Avenue, Terre Haute, IN 47803

Capacity: 12,764

Broadcast: ESPN+ / 105.5 The Legend (radio)

Weather Forecast (Terre Haute, IN – Kickoff)

Conditions: Mostly clear skies

Temperature: ~69–70°F during game time

Wind: NW at 9 mph

Humidity: ~50%

Precipitation: 0% chance — no weather‑driven impact expected

Impact: Ideal early‑season football weather; minimal effect on passing or kicking

Injury Report

(As of mid‑week; subject to change)

Eastern Illinois

No reported injuries after Week 1 win over Dayton.

Indiana State

No reported injuries after Week 1 win over McKendree.

2024 Recap:

EIU: 8‑3 overall, 3rd in Big South–OVC; balanced offense led by QB Pierce Holley.

INST: 3‑8 overall, 2‑6 in MVFC; struggled defensively but returned key skill players.

Recent Team Form (Last 5 Games, incl. 2024)

Eastern Illinois

W 24‑14 vs. Dayton (2025)

L 23‑6 @ Tennessee Tech (2024)

W 16‑13 (OT) vs. Charleston Southern (2024)

L 31‑28 @ Gardner‑Webb (2024)

W 45‑38 vs. Western Illinois (2024)

Indiana State

W 41‑24 vs. McKendree (2025)

L 41‑34 @ Northern Iowa (2024)

L 31‑19 vs. Illinois State (2024)

L 49‑0 @ South Dakota (2024)

W 35‑31 vs. North Dakota (2024)

Key Player Matchups

Quarterbacks

EIU – Pierce Holley: 3,027 pass yards, 19 TD, 13 INT in 2024; efficient in Week 1 win.

INST – Elijah Owens: 1,717 pass yards, 12 TD, 5 INT in 2024; dual‑threat with 645 rush yards.

Running Backs

EIU – MJ Flowers: 854 rush yards in 2024; physical between‑the‑tackles runner.

INST – Elijah Owens (QB) & RB committee: Owens’ legs are a major part of the ground game.

Receivers

EIU – Cooper Willman: 874 yards in 2024; reliable possession target.

INST – Rashad Rochelle: 527 yards in 2024; explosive after the catch.

Defensive Leaders

EIU – Elijawah Tolbert: 19 tackles in 2024; sideline‑to‑sideline linebacker.

INST – Garret Ollendieck: 14 tackles in 2024; key run stopper.

Series History

All‑Time: Eastern Illinois leads 46‑40‑4

Recent Trend: EIU has won the last two meetings, including a 27‑20 win in Charleston in 2024.

Long‑Term: EIU has won 15 of the last 20 matchups dating back to 1994.

Betting Trends

Eastern Illinois

6‑4 ATS in last 10 games.

Under has hit in 4 of last 6 games.

2‑0 SU in last two vs. Indiana State.

Indiana State

4‑6 ATS in last 10 games.

Over is 3‑2 in last 5 games.

1‑4 SU in last five vs. EIU.

Head‑to‑Head Totals:

Average combined score last 3 meetings: 46.3 PPG.

Under has hit in 2 of last 3 matchups.

Game Odds

Eastern Illinois Panthers               50.5

Indiana State Sycamores              – 3.5

Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Friday, September 5, 2025