Eastern Illinois hosts No. 13 Southeast Missouri for its 2024 home opener on Oct. 5. After the loss to Lindenwood, EIU falls to an overall record of 1-4 and 0-1 in conference play, marking its second game against this season a ranked opponent. Southeast Missouri, riding a three-game winning streak, enters the matchup with a 4-1 overall record and 1-0 in conference play. EIU's key players include quarterback Pierce Holley and running back MJ Flowers, both of whom are having standout seasons, while punter Jacob Horvath continues to shine as a special teams asset.

Through the numbers

• Pierce Holley passed for 3,721 career yards and needed 99 yards to rank in EIU's top ten.
• MJ Flowers has recorded 1,350 rushing yards in his career and ranks 34th in the FCS this season.
• Jacob Horvath averages 46.8 yards per punt, ranking sixth in the FCS.

Yes but

Despite strong individual performances, EIU's recent loss to Lindenwood raises concerns about the team's overall performance and its ability to compete against ranked opponents.

state of affairs

• EIU is struggling at 1-4, which is affecting team morale heading into homecoming.
• SEMO is on the right track, with a solid 4:1 record and positive momentum from the last few games.

What's next?

Fans and players are looking forward to possible adjustments in offense and defense to improve EIU's chances against a strong SEMO team, which could be crucial to the Panthers' season.

Conclusion

EIU needs to harness their homecoming energy to turn the season around; The success comes from solid performances from Holley, Flowers and the special teams, coupled with improved defensive strategies.