beaverdaleguy
Well-Known Member
"When I talked with an opposing coach before a game and he mentions the pink walls, I know I've got him. I can't recall a coach who has stirred up a fuss about the color and then beat us.†- Hayden Fry
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With a new season looming just over the horizon, we take a look at what is sure to be the first of many nerve-wracking games for the Iowa Hawkeyes: Eastern Illinois. The Panthers finished last season with a respectable 8-4 record, losing in the first round of the FCS playoffs (it must be nice having playoffs).
They enter the 2010 season ranked #18 in the FCS and geared up as they have had just as many months to prepare for Iowa as we have for them. Head Coach Bob Spoo, who returns for his 23rd season at Eastern Illinois with a record of 140-113-1, is sure to have his boys fired up for their first ever meeting with the Hawkeyes in Iowa City in two weeks. The good news, for Iowa fans anyway, is that just this week Coach Spoo dismissed three of his leading players from the team for violating undisclosed team rules.
Senior running back Chevon Walker, senior defensive end Colin Luczynski, and junior offensive lineman Eric Rettke were all kicked off the team on Thursday, August 12th. This will leave some considerable holes to fill for the Panthers, but if we haven’t learned anything from the Northern Iowa game last year, then we are doomed to (and deserve to) repeat it. However, I believe that this game will be less of a headache than we worry about, even with so many fresh faces on the offensive line for Iowa. Look for it to be close in the first half, and Iowa to pull away late. Although, I foresee mental errors on Iowa’s part keeping the Panthers in the game longer than they should be. Let’s hope the coaching staff beats the false starts and holds out of those new linemen early.
I believe the score won’t be a blowout like Penn State did to them last year (52-3). Look for something in the neighborhood of 35-10. The only way to progress towards a Big Ten Title is to get progressively better…and to find where I put that lucky rabbit’s foot.
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With a new season looming just over the horizon, we take a look at what is sure to be the first of many nerve-wracking games for the Iowa Hawkeyes: Eastern Illinois. The Panthers finished last season with a respectable 8-4 record, losing in the first round of the FCS playoffs (it must be nice having playoffs).
They enter the 2010 season ranked #18 in the FCS and geared up as they have had just as many months to prepare for Iowa as we have for them. Head Coach Bob Spoo, who returns for his 23rd season at Eastern Illinois with a record of 140-113-1, is sure to have his boys fired up for their first ever meeting with the Hawkeyes in Iowa City in two weeks. The good news, for Iowa fans anyway, is that just this week Coach Spoo dismissed three of his leading players from the team for violating undisclosed team rules.
Senior running back Chevon Walker, senior defensive end Colin Luczynski, and junior offensive lineman Eric Rettke were all kicked off the team on Thursday, August 12th. This will leave some considerable holes to fill for the Panthers, but if we haven’t learned anything from the Northern Iowa game last year, then we are doomed to (and deserve to) repeat it. However, I believe that this game will be less of a headache than we worry about, even with so many fresh faces on the offensive line for Iowa. Look for it to be close in the first half, and Iowa to pull away late. Although, I foresee mental errors on Iowa’s part keeping the Panthers in the game longer than they should be. Let’s hope the coaching staff beats the false starts and holds out of those new linemen early.
I believe the score won’t be a blowout like Penn State did to them last year (52-3). Look for something in the neighborhood of 35-10. The only way to progress towards a Big Ten Title is to get progressively better…and to find where I put that lucky rabbit’s foot.
