EIU fell to 1-5 overall, 0-2 in the Big South OVC after a home loss to No. 13 Southeast Missouri. The game will also be EIU’s first outside the state of Illinois – the Panthers have played three home games at O’Brien Field and away games at Illinois, Northwestern and Illinois State.

EIU faces a Tennessee State team that is 4-2 overall and 2-1 in the Big South OVC. The Tigers have come from behind in each of their last two games, picking up wins against Charleston Southern and Lindenwood.

For the Panthers on Saturday against Southeast Missouri, NiJhay Burt intercepted a fourth-quarter pass and returned it 27 yards for what turned out to be the game’s only turnover. It was Burt’s third interception of the season, which ranks him eighth in the FCS and first in the Big South OVC.

EIU linebacker Anthony Shockey continues to have a feel for the football, recording his third straight double-digit tackle game with 12 tackles against Southeast Missouri. He currently leads the Big South OVC in total tackles with 54 (23rd in the FCS).

On offense, MJ Flowers rushed for 48 yards and two touchdowns on 14 carries against Southeast Missouri. Flowers also finished the day as the Panthers’ leading receiver, catching 11 passes for an additional 72 yards. The 11 receptions set an EIU single-game reception record by a running back, surpassing the previous mark of ten set by Devin Church in 2015 against Northern Iowa in the FCS playoffs.

Cooper Willman scored the Panthers’ first score of the game against Southeast Missouri with a 12-yard touchdown pass. Willman finished the game with four catches for 70 yards and is one of four receivers on the Panthers team with 20 or more catches this season. The touchdown grab was Willman’s third of the season.