Venue & Logistics
Stadium: O’Brien Field (Capacity ~10,000)
Location: 100 Grant Avenue, Charleston, Illinois
Kickoff Time: 2:00 PM CT (3:00 PM ET)
Broadcast: ESPN+ Radio: WNSR 560 AM / Sirius XM Ch. 995
Weather Forecast (Charleston, IL)
Conditions: Partly cloudy
Temperature: ~68°F at kickoff, cooling into the low 60s by 4th quarter
Wind: 8–12 mph, crosswind potential for special teams
Impact: Passing game should remain stable, but kicking accuracy could be tested
Injury Report
Tennessee State:
WR Snap Reed (ankle) – Questionable
LB Dominique Dixon (shoulder) – Probable
Eastern Illinois:
RB Charles Kellom (hamstring) – Day-to-day
CB Isaiah Houi (hand) – Expected to play
Key Player Matchups
TSU QB Jonathan Palmer vs. EIU Secondary
Palmer has shown flashes with deep strikes, but EIU’s Houi ranks among FCS leaders in pass breakups.
EIU RB Jacarre Fleming vs. TSU Front Seven
Fleming, fresh off a 111-yard, 2-TD performance, faces a Tigers defense that allowed 35 points to Tennessee Tech.
Special Teams Battle
TSU’s Freddy Perez (steady FG kicker) vs. EIU’s coverage units could swing momentum in a close contest.
Recent Team Form
Tennessee State (1–3, 0–1 OVC-Big South)
Last 5: L, L, L, W, L
Coming off a 35–8 loss to Tennessee Tech
Eastern Illinois (2–2, 1–0 OVC-Big South)
Last 5: W, L, L, W, L
Riding momentum after a 31–23 road win at Western Illinois
Series History
All-Time: Eastern Illinois leads 16–12
Recent Trend: Tennessee State has won 4 of the last 5 meetings
Notable: TSU won 41–17 in 2024; last EIU home win came in 2019
Betting Trends
Tennessee State: 1–4 ATS in last 5 games
Eastern Illinois: 3–2 ATS in last 5 games
Over/Under: The Over has hit in 3 of the last 5 meetings
Historical Betting Results
Close Games: 4 of last 10 decided by ≤3 points
High Scoring: 6 of last 10 matchups went Over the posted total
Road Factor: TSU has covered in 3 of last 4 trips to Charleston
Projected Final Score: Eastern Illinois 27 – Tennessee State 21
Game Odds
Tennessee State Tigers 53
Eastern Illinois Panthers – 4.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Friday, October 3, 2025
