College football preview: EIU at Northwestern
Eastern Illinois (1-0) at Northwestern (1-0)
When: 2:30 p.m. Saturday at Ryan Field
TV: BTN
Radio: WMVP 1000-AM, WNUR 89.3-FM, wgnradio.com
Series: First meeting
Coaches: Bob Spoo (143-122-1, 25th year at EIU); Pat Fitzgerald (35-29, sixth year at NU)
Players to watch: Eastern Illinois knocked off Illinois State 33-26 in its opener as sophomore QB Jimmy Garoppolo (Rolling Meadows HS) accounted for all 4 touchdowns. He completed 25 of 34 passes for 304 yards and 3 scores. His favorite targets are WRs Lorence Ricks (7 catches, 114 yards, 1 TD) and Chris Wright (5-46-1). Senior LB Cory Leman, brother of former Illinois all-American J Leman, led the Panthers last week with 11 stops. Senior SS Nick Martinez picked off 2 passes to clinch the win.
With sophomore RB Mike Trumpy “doubtful” due to a concussion and senior QB Dan Persa “questionable” on Northwestern's official injury report, the Wildcats again will tax their depth in order to move the ball on the ground. Sophomore QB Kain Colter enjoyed a banner first start in last week's win at Boston College (17 of 24, 197 passing yards; 71 rushing yards and a TD) and Fitzgerald expects him to make the usual quantum leap from Start 1 to Start 2. Sophomore RB Adonis Smith should pick up the bulk of Trumpy's carries, though true freshman Treyvon Green also should get his chances. NU's defense picked up 3 sacks last week, but it must get along without senior DT Jack DiNardo (leg) this week.
The skinny: Eastern Illinois, which is receiving votes in the FCS polls, plays one Football Bowl Subdivision school each year for the guaranteed money, but the Panthers hope to do something special for long-time head coach Bob Spoo in his last game in the Chicago area. For EIU to entertain any hope of its first win over an FBS team since 2004 (Eastern Michigan, 31-28), it needs a banner day from Garoppolo. Northwestern's defense didn't allow much on the ground last week at Boston College — after the game-opening 69-yard run, anyway — but BC threw for 351 yards against the 'Cats.
Fast fact: Northwestern has won its last four games against FCS competition by a combined 144-24 score. EIU has gone 0-5 against Big Ten schools the last five seasons by a combined 230-54 score.