Eastern Illinois to play 12 in Dameron's first season

Feb 28, 2014 - 4:47 PM Charleston, IL (SportsNetwork.com) - Eastern Illinois football will play FBS opponents Minnesota and Ohio University for the first time and a 12-game schedule as part of Kim Dameron's first season as head coach.

The two-time defending Ohio Valley Conference champion Panthers will have five home games in the 2014 schedule announced on Friday.

Dameron has taken over an EIU program that was 12-2 last season, advancing to the FCS playoff quarterfinal round and finishing the season ranked No. 4 in The Sports Network FCS Top 25.

The Panthers will open their season at Minnesota on Aug. 28 and go to Ohio on Sept. 27.

Their home games are against Southern Illinois (Sept. 6) in non-conference action, and Austin Peay (Sept. 20), Tennessee State (Oct. 25, Homecoming), Murray State (Nov. 8) and UT Martin (Nov. 22) in the OVC.

2014 Eastern Illinois Football Schedule

Aug. 28, at Minnesota

Sept. 6, Southern Illinois

Sept. 15, at Illinois State

Sept. 20, Austin Peay*

Sept. 27, at Ohio

Oct. 11, at Eastern Kentucky*

Oct. 18, at Southeast Missouri*

Oct. 25, Tennessee State* (Homecoming)

Nov. 1, at Tennessee Tech*

Nov. 8, Murray State*

Nov. 15, at Jacksonville State *

Nov. 22, UT Martin*

* - OVC game