| Wednesday, September 12, 2007 11:25 PM CDT |
BHS alum Arrington hopes to win bragging rights over ISU
CHARLESTON — Illinois State passed only nine times last week in a 43-17 victory over Murray State.
That might sound like good news to an Eastern Illinois defense that has given up 657 yards passing through two games, but Panthers free safety Adrian Arrington isn’t taking anything for granted entering Saturday’s 6 p.m. nonconference game at O’Brien Stadium.
“Their passing nine times doesn’t mean anything,” the Bloomington High School graduate said. “We’re still young, and we have to be ready for everything.”
The 5-foot-11, 187-pound Arrington saw action in 10 games last season and was credited with 10 tackles. He earned his first start in the season opener against Tennessee Tech on Aug. 30.
Through two games, Arrington ranks tied for fifth on the Panthers with 11 tackles. He has one pass breakup.
“Adrian has a great competitive spirit,” Eastern coach Bob Spoo said. “He runs well, plays hard and is one of our solid guys back there. I’m sure Illinois State will try to throw the ball some on us. I hope Adrian and his teammates can hold up against it.”
Arrington, who has secured 22 tickets for family and friends for Saturday’s game, hopes to help the Panthers avenge losses both in the regular season and the playoffs to ISU in 2006.
“It will be very important,” said Arrington, whose former BHS teammate, Brent Holtz, plays for ISU but is sidelined with a shoulder injury. “If we win, I’ll have bragging rights when I go home.”
Arrington sat out his first season at Eastern in 2005 while gaining his academic eligibility.
He was a Pantagraph All-Area defensive back in 2004 and helped BHS advance to the Class 6A championship game.
Kesler out for season
Mahomet-Seymour product Adam Kesler will miss the entire Eastern season with an injury. Kesler caught three passes last season and served as a kickoff and punt returner for the Panthers.
Another former Bulldog, Bodie Reeder, is the No. 2 quarterback behind starter Cole Stinson. Reeder transferred to Eastern from Wyoming.
Bad memories
Eastern senior defensive tackle Tim Kelly is still smarting from ISU’s pair of victories over the Panthers last season.
“This winter when we were up at 5 in the morning (for conditioning drills), this is the team we were thinking about,” Kelly said. “There’s still bad blood, at least on our end, what they did coming into our house in that game Nov. 25 (in the playoffs).”
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To Jim: wrote on Sep 14, 2007 8:47 AM:
Jim Fisher wrote on Sep 13, 2007 8:20 AM:
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