Eastern Illinois opens its 2019 season Thursday night as the Panthers kickoff the season at Chattanooga.

Adam Cushing was hired as the 25th head coach in EIU football history in December.

Eastern Illinois will open with three of its first four games on the road and the Panthers have the sixth toughest schedule in FCS as rated by HeroSports.  Four teams on the EIU schedule are ranked in the preseason FCS Top 25 with Thursday's opponent, Chattanooga, ranked 30th in the FCS Coaches poll.  EIU will also face Big Ten member Indiana in week two.  

Eastern Illinois returns only two starters on offense from last year in second team All-OVC selection James Sheehan and All-OVC Newcomer Team selection Johnathan Brantley.  Sheehan ranked first in the OVC for receptions and yards for a tight end.  Brantley set the OVC & EIU record for consecutive passes thrown without an interception at 230.

Hear tonight's action at 6 pm on The Big 1520 AM/92.3 FM/106.5 FM WHOW and online at dewittdailynews.com.