Eastern Illinois gets an early start to the 2021 season as the Panthers travel to Terre Haute, Ind., on Saturday night to face Indiana State in a Week Zero contest.   

The game is one of two FCS Week Zero contests and one of seven total overall Week Zero games.   

For Indiana State it will be the Sycamores first game in 644 days as they opted out of the 2020-21 season.  For EIU it will continue a span of 17 games in nine months as EIU played six games in the spring of 2021.  

Jason Johnson was named a preseason first-team All-Ohio Valley Conference selection after earning first-team All-OVC honors last season at linebacker.  The third-year player led the OVC in tackles per game last season finishing the year with 66 tackles.  His 11 tackles per game ranked ninth in the FCS.  Johnson ended the season with a streak of four straight games with double-figure tackles including 15 against Tennessee Tech.

Matt Judd was named a preseason first-team All-Ohio Valley Conference selection at kick returner.  Last season he earned second-team honors at the position leading the OVC in kick return average at 24.8 yards per return.   Judd had a long return on the season of 53 yards at UT Martin. Judd also sees time at wide receiver hauling in eight passes for 109 yards and a touchdown in six games last season. 

The August 28 kickoff date marks the earliest calendar date EIU has ever opened a football season.

Hear Saturday's action on The Big 1520 AM/92.3 FM/106.5 FM WHOW with pregame at 4:30 pm and kick-off at 5 pm.