Following Eastern’s win over then ranked No. 18 Eastern Kentucky on Saturday, its first win over a ranked opponent since 2009, the Panthers continue to receive national recognition as they find themselves just outside the top 25.

FCS Top 25 Polls

With Eastern’s 24-7 win over Eastern Kentucky, the Panthers remain among the teams also receiving votes in both the FCS Coaches Top 25 poll and the Sports Network Top 25 poll.

The Panthers were the fourth team also receiving votes in the Sports Network poll, holding the No. 29 ranking.

The Panthers were the eighth team receiving votes in the FCS Coaches Poll, ranking as the No. 33 team in the nation.

Several other Ohio Valley Conference schools are receiving national recognition as both Tennessee State and Eastern Kentucky continue to rank inside the top 25.

In the FCS Coaches poll, Tennessee State leads all OVC schools, ranking as the No. 19 team in the nation.

Eastern Kentucky fell five spots to No. 23 following its loss to the Panthers. Tennessee-Martin and Jacksonville State join Eastern as teams receiving votes in the FCS Coaches poll.

In the Sports Network poll, Tennessee State again paces all OVC schools, ranking as the No. 18 team in the nation. Eastern Kentucky rounds out the Sports Network poll, holding onto the No. 25 spot, while Tennessee-Martin and Jacksonville State again join Eastern as OVC teams receiving votes in the Sports Network poll.

At the top of the polls, there was major shake-up as Eastern Washington fell from the No. 1 spot in both polls.

Georgia Southern took over the No. 1 spot in the FCS Coaches poll as it received 17 first place votes. North Dakota State, Montana State, Sam Houston State and Old Dominion round out the top five in the FCS Coaches poll.

Lehigh, the nations lone remaining undefeated team, ranks No. 6.

In the Sports Network poll, North Dakota State ranks as the No. 1 team in the nation, receiving 59 first place votes.

Georgia Southern, despite receiving 76 first place votes, sits as the No. 2 team in the nation.

Montana State, Sam Houston State and Old Dominion round out the top five with Lehigh ranking No. 8.

Conference Notes

Eastern red-shirt junior wide receiver Erik Lora set the OVC single-season receptions record in the Panthers win over Eastern Kentucky.

Lora has hauled in 93 passes this season, breaking the previous record in just eight games.

Lora is now eyeing the FCS record of 128 receptions set by Elon’s Terrell Hudgins in 2009.

For the season, Lora is averaging an FCS-best 153.25 yards-per-game on 11.63 catches-per-game, and needs just 227 yards to set the OVC record for receiving yards in a single-season.

Murray State quarterback Casey Brockman set the OVC career passing record in its loss to Jacksonville State.

Brockman has thrown for 9,187 yards in his career and needs just 231 yards of total offense to set the OVC record for total offense in a career.

Conference Awards

The Panthers strong defensive effort in their win over Eastern Kentucky was paced by senior defensive end Artavious Dowdell as he was named the OVC Defensive Player of the Week.

Dowdell was a major force in limiting the Colonels high-powered rushing attack to just 81 yards as he recorded seven tackles, two tackles-for-loss, a sack and a quarterback hurry. His sack gives him 4.5 this season as he leads the OVC in that category.

Jacksonville State running back Washaun Ealey garnered OVC Offensive Player of the Week honors for his effort in the Gamecocks 38-35 win over Murray State. Ealey rushed for 146 yards and a career-best three touchdowns on 37 rushing attempts. His 37 carries ranks as the second-most in a game in the FCS this season. Ealey’s 146-yard effort marks his third consecutive game where he rushed for at least 100 yards.

Jordan Pottorff can be reached at 581-2812 or jbpottorff@eiu.edu.