We are so close to a real, live, regular season football game.

Finally, instead of previewing the Illini from countless different angles and trying to decipher all the training camp buzz, we have an opponent to dive into.

The opponent — the Eastern Illinois Panthers, an in-state FCS foe coming off a strong 8-3 season in 2023 that left them just outside the FCS playoffs. It was the program’s best mark since Jimmy Garappolo was under center in 2013.

The Panthers sit just outside the AFCA preseason FCS Top 25 coaches poll, receiving the third most votes among non-ranked teams. While Illinois is currently a 27.5-point favorite on Thursday night, Eastern Illinois has proven itself as a quality team for its level.

Today, let’s start by taking a look at the Panthers’ offense:

Eastern Illinois returns nine starters from an inconsistent 2023 offense that saw some ups and downs. Overall, the Panthers ranked 76th in FCS in points per game and 46th in total offense.

It is, however, a talented unit of returnees. Quarterback Pierce Holley is back and was named the preseason Big South-OVC Player of the Year after throwing for 2,723 yards and 17 touchdowns in 2023. Alongside him return leading rusher MJ Flowers (852 yards, 8 TD) and leading receiver Eli Mirza (680 yards, 3 TD).

Holley, a transfer from Georgetown in 2022, isn’t the most athletic, strongest-armed quarterback but is a veteran who’s been a consistent presence throughout his career. He’s unlikely to fire off a bunch of explosive downfield throws, but he’s equally as unlikely to play the Panthers out of the game with turnovers and poor decision-making.

Keeping Holley clean was the biggest point of struggle for the EIU offense in 2023. The Panthers allowed 35 sacks, a bottom-15 mark in all of FCS. When facing pressure, Holley struggled mightily, completing just 35.4% of his passes and turning many pressures into sacks. The Illinois defensive front will have an opportunity to impose its will up front and keep the veteran quarterback from getting comfortable.

If Eastern Illinois wants to give Illinois a scare, it’ll have to find success in the run game.

The Panthers will likely look to run the ball early and often with Flowers, an FCS Freshman All-American in 2023. He’ll be running behind an offensive line that made up for its pass blocking struggles with plenty of push on the ground and has FBS size throughout, led by All-Conference guard Sebastian Pares and center Drew Wilder. Testing a questionable Illini rush defense is certain to be a focal point for Panthers offensive coordinator Kyle Derickson.

For Illinois, the size, talent, physicality, and athleticism advantage need to show up defensively to make life difficult for the Panther offense. Dominating the trenches and overpowering Eastern Illinois physically is necessary and attainable to take care of a respectable FCS opponent in Week 1.

Three Keys for the Illini defense vs EIU:

1. Get consistent pressure on QB Pierce Holley — Seth Coleman and Gabe Jacas will be key here. They’re expected to be the leaders of the Illini defense, and they need to dominate an FCS offensive line who struggled mightily at pass blocking a season ago. An uncomfortable quarterback and a handful of drive-killing sacks are what the Illini will need to impose their will early and cruise to victory.
2. Contain the EIU run game — Run defense is a major question mark for Illinois after losing all three starting defensive linemen, but that shouldn’t be exploited by an FCS opponent. The Panthers will try to run the ball often, but the Illini front needs to contain it and allow its pass rushers to turn up the pressure on third and longs. Illinois has a large talent advantage in the trenches and that needs to show itself from kickoff.
3. Be strong tacklers — When FCS teams spring upsets on FBS opponents, the cause usually comes down to sloppy play and a lot of mistakes. We know what that looks like offensively, but on defense Illinois needs to be strong in the tackling department. EIU’s gameplan will likely be heavily simplified and involve a lot of running and quick hitters in the passing game, and Illinois needs to avoid the missed tackles or missed assignments that could lead to explosive plays and yards after catch opportunities.

Check back tomorrow for a look at the Eastern Illinois defense.