Eastern Illinois coach Bob Spoo, regarded as a guru of quarterbacks, may start a different man under center Saturday when his Panthers (0-2) play at Eastern Michigan.
Matt Schabert, a transfer from Wisconsin, replaced starter Andrew Harris in the second quarter and in the second half of Saturday’s 35-31 loss to Illinois State. Schabert completed 14 of 28 passes for 225 yards. Harris was 6 of 11 for 56 yards.
“Schabert played well and is certainly in the mix,” Spoo said. “We’ll talk this week to make sure we’re getting our best players on the field.”
Eastern took a 31-21 fourth-quarter lead, but Illinois State, aided by a pass interference call and fumble recovery on a kickoff return, rallied for two late touchdowns. Spoo cited his team’s inability to pick up Illinois State’s blitzes with preserving the Redbirds’ lead.
– Next: Saturday at Eastern Michigan, 5 p.m.