The Panthers are coming off a season in which they went undefeated in the Ohio Valley Conference, had a nationally ranked defense and hosted a playoff game for the first time since 2001. But they might do even better this year. Here are three things that excite us about Eastern football.

1. The passing game – The Panthers return Ryan Voss, who will be a fourth-year starter, and have added Micah Rucker (above), a junior transfer from University of Minnesota. Rucker is listed at 6-6 and 230 pounds. The guy looks like a Division I-A wide receiver . and that’s because he was one.

2. Seven starters return on defense – Clint Sellers is a monster on the field. Ben Brown already has said he’s the best corner in the nation and the third-best corner on his team. We know the logic doesn’t work on that one but it shows that the defense is not resting on its laurels as the offense improves.

3. The offensive line – Eastern lost Pascal Matla to the New Orleans Saints. Yes, those New Orleans Saints. But when they line up on Sept. 2 in Champaign, the Panthers will start three preseason all-conference players in Jon Rueter, Anthony Rubican and Eric Johnson. Senior running back Vincent Webb should be licking his chops.