One of the longest rivalries in FCS football continues Saturday as Illinois State (2-0, 1-0 MVFC) and Eastern Illinois (1-1, 0-0 Big South-OVC) square off for the 111th time in the Mid-America Classic in Charleston, Illinois at O'Brien Field.

Coming off a 2-0 start to the 2023 campaign with a pair of convincing FCS wins, Illinois State has earned a spot in this week's AFCA FCS Coaches' Top 25 Poll at No. 25.

NIU transfer Mason Blakemore rushed for a career-high 170 yards on 19 carries and scored three times to lead the way for the Redbirds over Western Illinois. That all earned him MVFC Offensive Player of the Week honors for the first time in his career.

EIU quarterback Pierce Holley continues to pace the Panthers offensive attack as the transfer quarterback passed for 250 yards and two touchdowns at Bowling Green. Kevin Daniels was a versatile part of the Panthers offense for the second straight week finishing the Bowling Green game with 116 all-purpose yards.

Daniels has rushed for 135 yards this season. He hauled in four passes for 38 yards on Saturday including a 15-yard touchdown for the Panthers opening touchdown. 

Game time is 2 pm Saturday afternoon. Hear all the action on WHOW with a pregame starting at 1:30 pm.