EIU Coach Dies In Car Accident

For the second time this month Eastern Illinois suffers the tragic death of an assistant coach.

Effingham county Coronor Leigh Hammer says late Saturday evening following the Panthers FCS playoff loss to Southern Illinois offensive line/assistant coach Jeff Hoover died as the result of a single vehicle accident.

Athletics spokesman Rich Moser says Hoover, strength coach EricCash and five family members were returning from the game whentheir Chevrolet Suburban swerved to miss a deer and rolled over.Moser says two passengers have been released from an Effingham hospital, and the other four transferred to a hospital in Champaign.

Hoover was in his third season as Eastern Illinois' offensiveline coach.

Earlier this month women's basketball assistant coach Jackie Moore died after collapsing as she started a workout. Moore was 28 years old.

Salukis Ready For FCS Postseason

The FCS Playoff bracket was released Sunday afternoon. 16 teams begin down the road they hope leads to Chattanooga, TN for the Championship Game December 18th.

The SIU Salukis enter as the third overall seed and will host OVC Champion Eastern Illinois. The Panthers opened the playoffs losing to SIU in 2005 and 2007.

November 28 at Missoula, Montana
South Dakota St. (8-3) at No. 1 Montana (11-0)

November 28 at Nacogdoches, Texas
Eastern Wash. (8-3) at Stephen F. Austin (9-2)

November 28 at Richmond, Virginia
Elon (9-2) at No. 4 Richmond (10-1)

November 28 at Boone, North Carolina (ESPNU/ESPNUHD at Noon ET)
South Carolina St. (10-1) at Appalachian St. (9-2)

November 28 at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Holy Cross (9-2) at No. 2 Villanova (10-1)

November 28 at Lake Charles, Louisiana
New Hampshire (9-2) at McNeese St. (9-2)

November 28 at Carbondale, Illinois
Eastern Ill. (8-3) at No. 2 Southern Ill. (10-1)

November 28 at Williamsburg, Virginia
Weber St. (7-4) at William & Mary (9-2)


2009 Playoff Info:
Bracket
Press Release
Championship Results

SEMO Heading in the right direction

Despite the loss Saturday to Eastern Illinois (23-14) I anxiously look forward to the Redhawks next game.  Maybe this is wishful thinking or seriously looking on the bright side, but I think the Southeast program under Tony Samuel has turned the corner.  I'm not suggesting they are a contender for the OVC title or a playoff hopeful but I do believe they are improved and will  make games interesting.

The Redhawks put together a good first half against a team which will probably crack the FCS Top 25 this week. Entering the SEMO game Eastern was ranked 26th.

I like what the Redhawks showed me: Opportunistic defense (recovering four fumbles) and a never give up attitude.  It's a start and hopefully the beginning of better things to come.

Southeast goes for it's first OVC victory of the season next Saturday at UT Martin.