If one is looking for a letdown with the Eastern football team after an upset win against then-ranked No.12 Jacksonville State, don’t count on it.

The Panthers will travel to Murray, Ky., to take on Murray State at 1 p.m. Saturday, and defensive coordinator Roc Bellantoni said this Eastern team is hungry.

“There are a couple of guys that won a ring in 2006, but there is a whole lot more guys who have not won anything,” Bellantoni said. “We missed the playoffs last year and that is somewhat embarrassing for a program like ours. I sense hunger from this team. They want to make the championship, they want to make the playoffs and they want to make noise in the playoffs.”

Offensive coordinator Roy Wittke said group is older and understands what they are playing for because they have been through a lot.

“They understand what is at stake and the opportunity that is set before them,” Wittke said. “They are not going to settle for anything less than a championship.”

Eastern (6-2, 4-1 Ohio Valley Conference) is currently tied for first in OVC after defeating the Gamecocks 28-20 on the road. The Panthers and Tennessee State are one of only two teams in the conference with only one loss.

Murray State (2-5, 1-3) is the only team to beat the Tigers in conference this season.

Senior running back Charlie Jordan leads the Racers on offense with 310 yards on 94 carries with two touchdowns. He started last weekend against Tennessee Martin.

Bellantoni said although the Racers like to spread the ball out a little bit, their main goal is to establish the run.

“They throw the ball out of play action and if they stay in normal downs that is what they want to do,” Bellantoni said. “When they get into longer downs, they like to get back and throw a lot of screens. They want to run the ball first, but they have gotten down in a few games so they have dropped back. We will be ready for both, the run and the drop back.”

Both senior quarterback Nico Yantko and junior Jeff Ehrhardt have started games under center for the team. Yantko leads the Racers with 613 yards, with five touchdowns and five interceptions. He started last weekend against Tennessee Martin.

On defense, Wittke said even though they do not have impressive numbers they are a disruptive pressure oriented defense.

“They have a high number of sacks and a high number of tackles for losses,” Wittke said. “But they have also given up a number of big plays because they are very aggressive.”

He said their defense is run through their impressive defensive ends seniors Austen Lane and sophomore Jamal Crook. Lane has 13 tackles for loss with seven sacks, while Crook has 8.5 tackles for loss with 2.5 sacks.

“We are going to have to win that battle and attack their pressure,” Wittke said. “We also have to create explosive play opportunities for our self.”

Dan Cusack can be reached at 581-7944 or dscusack@eiu.edu.