Can the Panthers deliver a stunning defeat to their in-state foe?
Before Big Ten play begins with a road trip to Seattle (it feels weird just writing that out), Northwestern has one more non-conference game in Martin Stadium. Their opponent is an Eastern Illinois squad that seems to be on the rise in the FCS. To learn more about the Panthers, Inside NU sat down with the Daily Eastern News’ sports editor Zaria Flippin, who talked us through some of the most important things to know about the Wildcats’ opponent this Saturday.
Inside NU: Your coach, Chris Wilkerson, won OVC Coach of the Year last year after taking the team to an 8-3 record. What’s stuck out about him and how he’s turned this program around?
Zaria Flippin: I would say that Chris Wilkerson is a coach that even if I wasn’t working with this team, he’s definitely a coach that I would keep an eye on, just because you can tell that he puts his faith into everyone on the staff and and with the players. I think the biggest thing about Wilk is that his first season, he finished two and nine and then completely flipped it around, ending eight and three, which I think is the biggest turnaround in FCS history. So, knowing that, this team is wanting to try to get back into that talk of getting into the playoffs, and Wilkerson definitely is one of those coaches that is willing to bet on this team.
Inside NU: How has missing the playoffs been serving as motivation for the team this year, trying to get another opportunity that they didn’t get last year?
Zaria Flippin: So, for Eastern, they were the first of the first four outs for playoffs. So they they just missed it. So knowing them, the last time I went into into the facility, since that, was February. That was the first time I went back into the facility after all that. And I remember passing by the team meeting room, and they had a screenshot of that first four out thing, just like on the wall, and it’s almost everywhere you turn in the facility. So they’re definitely using that as motivation to get back into that winning record again and to get another shot at the playoffs.
Inside NU: One of the key drivers of this team is quarterback Pierce Holley. What makes him so special and so dangerous?
Zaria Flippin: Pierce Holley. He’s a quarterback that, if he’s comfortable, then he is going to do what he has to do. And I think his biggest strength is how quick he is able to move his feet and to make a play work. He definitely has a really good relationship with his targets and the O-line. So, I feel like when he puts all of his trust into everyone around him, there really isn’t a whole lot to do to stop him.
Inside NU: Turning to the defensive side, you guys have 12 tackles for loss this year. What have you seen from the front four this year that makes them so dangerous and so good at getting negative plays?
Zaria Flippin: This defensive line is probably one of the most talented defensive lines that we’ve had within this program for a while. And I do think it really starts with Nicholas Oliveira-Chase (2.5 TFL), and he is definitely one of those players who will find a hole within the opposing offensive line and get to the quarterback whenever he can. And another key person on that defensive line is Joel Barrows. He is definitely a defensive end that can also look into holes into the offensive line and get by and sack a quarterback.
Inside NU: Obviously you guys had some trouble against Illinois in that 45-0 loss. What do you think that Eastern Illinois needs to avoid doing in order to avoid another performance like that?
Zaria Flippin: They just need to get more comfortable within themselves and do what they normally do. I’ve talked to a couple of players after that game, and then I also gave the like, two or three days to just heavily think about it and then talk to them, and the response I’ve been getting from that is relatively the same. “That just wasn’t us.” So, I think with bigger teams like Northwestern and U of I, they just need to stay grounded and focus and actually execute on their assignments.
Inside NU: Let’s say that a week from now, you go into the facility and the team is celebrating a big road win over Northwestern. Why did that win happen?
Zaria Flippin: I would say that everyone did their assignments, but specifically, I would say that the defense startled Northwestern’s offense and picked up on every advantage that they could.
Inside NU: What is your score prediction for Saturday’s game and why?
Zaria Flippin: I would say Northwestern 20, EIU 17. And I would say that just because I feel like it will be a close game. I feel like Northwestern might edge them out just a little bit with their offense. It might come down to a Hail Mary. I don’t know.