EIU welcomes back 15 starters

CHARLESTON -- Eastern Illinois last year grabbed the Ohio Valley Conference title, and the expectations are great again this year.

The Panthers have seven returning starters on offense and eight on defense from a team that last season went 8-4 overall and 6-2 in the league.

Tapped to finish second this season to Jacksonville State, Eastern has questions at quarterback. Redshirt sophomore Brandon Large hasn't played since 2008 and is the likely successor to Jake Christenson, who threw for 2,204 yards and 19 touchdowns last season as a senior.

Large will get some backfield help from Mon Williams, who ran for 870 yards and nine touchdowns last year.

Eastern's season begins Sept. 4 at Iowa.