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The student news site of Eastern Illinois University in Charleston, Illinois.

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The student news site of Eastern Illinois University in Charleston, Illinois.

The Daily Eastern News

The student news site of Eastern Illinois University in Charleston, Illinois.

The Daily Eastern News

Eastern redshirt sophomore running back MJ Flowers carries the ball across the goal line during the football game Saturday at O'Brien Stadium. The Panthers won 16-13.

Flowers said God saved him

Bryce Parker, Sports Reporter December 11, 2024

Redshirt sophomore running back MJ Flowers grew up in a Christian household, but it wasn’t until January 2024 when he proclaimed his faith to God. That true foundation in faith, he said, helped...

Safety NiJhay Burt (34), intercepts the ball for a 67 yard return touchdown. The Panthers won 27-0 against the Sycamores Thursday night.

Starting defender announces decision to enter NCAA transfer portal

Zaria Flippin, Sports Editor December 8, 2024

Another starter for the Panthers announced his departure from the program. Junior defensive back NiJhay Burt posted on his Instagram account that he will enter the transfer portal tomorrow, Dec....

Redshirt freshman running back MJ Flowers (20) scores a touchdown vs. the Tennessee State Tigers Saturday afternoon. The Panthers won 30-17.

All-American running back announces departure from football program

Zaria Flippin, Sports Editor December 6, 2024

Eastern lost one of their strongest returner players to the transfer portal Friday afternoon. Redshirt sophomore running back MJ Flowers announced on his Instagram account that he will be entering...

Football is back at O'Brien Stadium

Linebacker enters transfer portal after two seasons with Panthers

Zaria Flippin, Sports Editor December 5, 2024

Eastern’s football program has currently lost a total of four defenders that played in the 2024 season. Redshirt sophomore linebacker Liam Carr announced on his Instagram account he is entering...

Nick Coates, a junior defensive back, prepares to tackle a teammate during a drill at O‘Brien Field Wednesday Evening.

Senior safety will enter transfer portal

Zaria Flippin, Sports Editor December 5, 2024

Another Panther announced his decision to enter the transfer portal. Senior safety Nick Coates announced on his X account that he will enter the transfer portal on Dec. 9. The Louisville, Kentucky,...

Redshirt Sophomore, runningback, Jay Pearson (21) (left) and defensive back, Junior, NiJhay Burt (3) (right) talk on the sideline during practice, on O'Brien Field on Wed, Oct 30,

Injuries hurt Panthers in 2024 football season

Zaria Flippin, Sports Editor December 4, 2024

Eastern’s football team finished the 2024 season with an overall record of 3-9 and a Big South-Ohio Valley Conference record of 2-6. This record is a shock compared to last year’s season as...

Eastern graduate quarterback Pierce Holley (3) and redshirt sophomore Jay Pearson (21) line up behind the line before the snap during the football game against Charleston Southern University Saturday at O'Brien Stadium. The Panthers won 16-13.

Panthers of the Semester: Pierce Holley, Abby Reinl, Dirk Bennett

Zaria Flippin, Sports Editor December 4, 2024

The male Panther of the Semester is going to Pierce Holley from the football team. The graduate quarterback from Arvada, Colorado, finished the 2024 season with 19 passing touchdowns. Holley...

Redshirt junior offensive lineman Drew Wilder props the ball up during football practice drills at O'Brien Field Wednesday afternoon.

Two linemen announce their decisions to transfer

Zaria Flippin, Sports Editor December 2, 2024

Along with safety Kaelin Drakeford, two more Panthers announced their departure from the football program on Monday. Redshirt sophomore defensive lineman Cody Silzer announced on his X account that...

Safety redshirt sophomore Kaelin Drakeford (22) tackles wide receiver redshirt sophomore Karate Brenson (0) at the Panthers vs. Tennessee State Tigers game.

EIU football loses starting safety to transfer portal

Zaria Flippin, Sports Editor December 2, 2024

Redshirt junior safety Kaelin Drakeford announced he’s entering the transfer portal. Drakeford, a Harrodsburg, Kentucky, native, has been with the Panthers for five years. Announced from Drakeford’s...

Forward senior Macy McGlone, back shoots the ball but miss and gets blocked by the University Of Illinois, The Womens Basketball team lost too the University of Illinois, in the State farm center on the U of I campus on Nov 14, 2024  in Champaign Ill.

Panthers of the Week: Pierce Holley, Macy McGlone

Zaria Flippin, Sports Editor November 24, 2024

The male Panther of the Week is going to Pierce Holley from the football team. The graduate quarterback from Arvada, Colorado put himself in the record books within Eastern’s football program. After...

Eastern graduate quarterback Pierce Holley (3) and redshirt sophomore Jay Pearson (21) line up behind the line before the snap during the football game against Charleston Southern University Saturday at O'Brien Stadium. The Panthers won 16-13.

EIU football to play last game of the season, hope to shake up conference standings

Zaria Flippin, Sports Editor November 22, 2024

Although Eastern’s playoff hopes are nonexistent, the team has a chance to still shake up the final standings of the Big South-Ohio Valley Conference. The Panthers are traveling to Cookeville,...

Quarterback Redshirt Freshman, Blainey Dowling, prepares to throw the ball while doing a scrimmage drill on O'Brien Field

EIU quarterback shares experience at Chicago Mount Carmel in Q&A

Zaria Flippin, Sports Editor November 22, 2024

Redshirt freshman quarterback Blainey Dowling is in his second year with the Panthers. The Chicago native played quarterback at Chicago Mount Carmel High School and had a breakout senior season...

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