PrairieStatePigskin

Your home for news & feature stories about the four Illinois FCS programs--Eastern Illinois, Southern Illinois, Western Illinois & Illinois State

[PrairieStatePigskin @PSPigskin]

Welcome #FCS fans, we now have a new website that covers the four Illinois FCS programs. Check us out at https://t.co/2I2bsJmxwj

[PrairieStatePigskin @PSPigskin]

Western Illinois has announced that Shelby Borchardt, associate athletic director, has been named interim director of intercollegiate athletics, effective today. She replaces Paul A. Bubb who took over the position in June 2022.
https://t.co/YAhLrdGlQB

[PrairieStatePigskin @PSPigskin]

Three @EIU_FB hall of famer players are listed on this year's College Football Hall of Fame ballot. Darrell Mudra, who coached the Panthers to the 1978 D2 national championship, and QB Tony Romo, the 2002 Walter Payton Award winner, are already enshrined in the CB HOF.

[Eastern Illinois Athletics @EIU_Panthers]

Three former @EIU_FB players are listed on the ballot for the year's @NFFNetwork College Football Hall of Fame

Panthers Listed For Consideration
Pete Catan
John Jurkovic
Erik Lora

Release🏈👀⬇️
https://t.co/isc6BOpX3M

[PrairieStatePigskin @PSPigskin]

Former @SIU_Football P/K Paul Geelen is listed on the Ottawa Redblacks practice squad for the upcoming CFL season, which opens this week.

[PrairieStatePigskin @PSPigskin]

Former @SIU_Football DB James Ceasar will make his CFL debut when the Toronto Argonauts play at Montreal June 12. Ceasar, who played 36 games as a Saluki, spent last season playing indoor football.
Here's his CFL bio 🔽
https://t.co/PvVS1VzbvN

[PrairieStatePigskin @PSPigskin]

Illinois State All-American CB Shadwel Nkuba II is on the Ottawa Redblacks opening day roster. Ottawa hosts Edmonton Saturday to kick off the season. Nkuba, who spent one season at ISU after transferring from FBS Louisiana, led the Missouri Valley in interceptions.

[PrairieStatePigskin @PSPigskin]

Former @EIU_FB All-American WR Alexander Hollins returns to Canadian football. He has 160 career catches for 2,390 yards and 16 TDs in 4 CFL seasons. Hollins opens the season Thursday with Montreal after previously playing with BC and Edmonton.
https://t.co/uowC4Kx7i6

[PrairieStatePigskin @PSPigskin]

Former Illinois State RB James Robinson did not play in the Louisville Kings' UFL regular-season finale against the Columbus Aviators because he was reportedly being rested. Louisville had already clinched a playoff berth prior to yesterday's 42-27 win at Columbus.

[PrairieStatePigskin @PSPigskin]

@mikemorrisui Unfortunately, that is something we can't answer.

[PrairieStatePigskin @PSPigskin]

Illinois FCS vs. FBS payouts for this fall:

🏈Western Illinois at Wisconsin $575,000
🏈Southern Illinois at Illinois $525,000
🏈Eastern Illinois at Minnesota $500,00
🏈Illinois State at Northern Illinois $350,000

[Luke Martin @_LukePMartin]

Awesome for the program! Just keep in mind, the network designation has not been set yet. It will be on one of the linear networks. The two selections last year were on ESPNU.

[PrairieStatePigskin @PSPigskin]

Chicago State has added a road 🏈 game at Southern Utah on Nov. 21 for its inaugural 2026 season schedule, bringing the Cougars' game total to 11 contests.

[PrairieStatePigskin @PSPigskin]

An Illinois State spokesman said to his knowledge the Redbirds are still pursuing a potential 12th game for the fall football schedule.

[PrairieStatePigskin @PSPigskin]

A 6:15 p.m. kickoff has been set for the Sept. 12 @WIUFootball game at FBS Wisconsin. The game will air on BTN. Last season, head coach Joe Davis' Leathernecks played two Big 10 opponents in Illinois and Northwestern.

[PrairieStatePigskin @PSPigskin]

. @EIU_FB announces a 7 p.m. kickoff for the Panthers' Sept. game 3 at FBS Minnesota. The game will air on Peacock.
https://t.co/f1d5c6S4Zf

[PrairieStatePigskin @PSPigskin]

Head coaches who have taken @WIUFootball to the I-AA/FCS playoffs:

🏈Bruce Craddock (1988)
🏈Randy Ball (1991, '96, '97, '98)
🏈Don Patterson (2000, '02, '03)
🏈Mark Hendrickson (2010)
🏈Bob Nielson (2015)
🏈Charlie Fisher (2017)
The 1998 team reached the national semifinals.

[PrairieStatePigskin @PSPigskin]

The 1986 football team, which was quarterbacked by @SeanPayton, is one of eight teams set for induction into Eastern Illinois Athletics Hall of Fame.

[Eastern Illinois Athletics @EIU_Panthers]

The @EIU_Panthers Athletic Department has announced that it will induct eight teams for its 2026 Hall of Fame Class

1952 M Basketball
1976 M Basketball
1981 Baseball
1981 M Soccer
1986 Football
1988 W Basketball
2001 Volleyball
2001 W Soccer

Release👀⬇️
https://t.co/qL3uwwEEBI

[PrairieStatePigskin @PSPigskin]

Head coaches who have taken Illinois State to the I-AA/FCS playoffs:

🏈Todd Berry (1998, 1999)
🏈Denver Johnson (2006)
🏈Brock Spack (2012, '14, '15, '16, '19, '24, '25)

National semifinals in 1999
National runners-up 2014, 2025

[PrairieStatePigskin @PSPigskin]

Former Illinois State RB James Robinson rushed for 88 yards and caught 2 passes for 14 yards as Louisville won its 3rd straight #UFL game. Robinson, a Rockford native, has rushed for 388 yards on 104 carries this season (3.73 pga).

[PrairieStatePigskin @PSPigskin]

Then-athletic director and head baseball, basketball and football coach Ray “Rock” Hanson was granted permission by the U.S. Navy, based on his status as a Marine hero, to use the Marine’s official seal and bulldog mascot along with their nickname.
-- per https://t.co/3aJewTd4Mr

[PrairieStatePigskin @PSPigskin]

Western Illinois University holds the distinction of being the only non-military institution to officially have its nickname derived from a branch of the military service.  The school began use of the Marine Corps’ official nickname, “The Fighting Leathernecks,” in 1927.