Excuse Eastern Illinois coach Bob Spoo and his staff if they don’t know quite what to expect from Indiana State in Saturday’s opener in Charleston.
Sycamores coach Tim McGuire has beefed up returnees from last year’s 3-9 squad by adding 20 transfers, 12 from Division I-A schools and eight from junior colleges. Five of the 20 will start.
Eastern quarterback Andrew Harris has Spoo hopeful the Panthers can bounce back from last year’s 4-8 record. Harris took over in midseason, completed 60 percent of his passes and provided a running threat in a 3-3 finish. EIU also welcomes QB Matt Schabert, a Larkin grad and transfer from Wisconsin for his senior season.
Line play should be a strength. Four starters return on each side of the ball. Leaders are center Pascal Malta and defensive linemen Kory Lothe and Marcus Lorick.
