Eastern Illinois: 2012 OVC Football Media Day

Eastern Illinois was picked eighth in the league's preseason poll this season.


Former Baylor assistant coach Dino Babers was named the 22nd head coach in Eastern Illinois history on Dec. 9, 2011 and replaces OVC Hall of Famer Bob Spoo who retired last season after 25 seasons. It was Spoo who hired Babers as an assistant coach on his first EIU staff in 1987. Babers will bring a fast-paced offensive attack to the Panthers program, employing a style Baylor used to help Robert Griffin III win the Heisman Trophy a year ago.


Junior Jimmy Garoppolo returns for his third season as a starter in 2012; a year ago he completed 62.2 percent of his passes for 2,644 yards and 20 touchdowns. His favorite target from a year ago, Chris Wright, also returns this season. Wright caught 42 passes for 735 yards and 11 touchdowns in 2011. Also returning is wideout Erik Lora who missed all of last season with an injury but caught 50 passes for 478 yards as a sophomore in 2010. The tight end tandem of Von Wise (32 catches, 348 yards, 2 touchdowns) and Sam Hendricks (17 catches, 194 yards, 3 touchdowns) also return on offense for the Panthers. On the defensive side of the ball EIU returns Preseason All-OVC selection Artavious Dowdell, who had 45 tackles, 7.5 tackles-for-loss and 5.0 sacks a season ago.

BELOW VIDEOS
Head Coach Dino Babers
QB Jimmy Garoppolo
DL Roosevelt Holliday

Austin Peay: 2012 OVC Football Media Day

Austin Peay was picked to finish ninth in the OVC this season in the league's preseason poll.

Austin Peay head coach Rick Christophel has 60 letterwinners back, including seven offensive and nine defensive starters, from last year’s squad that was 3-8 overall and 2-6 in the OVC. 


Senior quarterback Jake Ryan returns for his fourth season as a starter after throwing for 1,476 yards and 12 touchdowns a season ago. His favorite target, senior Devin Stark, is also back after catching 52 passes for 622 yards and seven touchdowns last season. Defensively senior safety Antwaun Majors will key the defensive unit; Majors finished last season with 88 tackles, ranking eighth in the OVC in stops (8.0/game).

BELOW VIDEOS
Head Coach Rick Christophel
DB Antwaun Majors 
QB Jake Ryan






 

ESPY's Pay Tribute to UT Martin Alum Pat Summitt

During the 20th annual  ESPY Awards that aired on July 11, UT Martin alum and former Tennessee women's basketball coach Pat Summitt was honored for her outstanding career in basketball and fight against Alzheimer's.  Below is the video tribute to Pat.