1983 Eastern Illinois Panthers football team

American college football season August 2023 February 2026 1983 Eastern Illinois Panthers football Association of Mid-Continent Universities Mid-Con 9–3 3–0 Al Molde 1st O'Brien Stadium Mid-Con champion NCAA Division I-AA First Round L 13–16 2OT vs. Indiana State The 1983 Eastern Illinois Panthers football team was an American football team that represented Eastern Illinois University as a member of the Association of Mid-Continent Universities (Mid-Con) during the 1983 NCAA Division I-AA football season. Led by first-year head coach Al Molde, the Panthers compiled an overall record of 9–3 with a mark of 3–0 in conference play, winning the Mid-Con title. Eastern Illinois was invited to the NCAA Division I-AA Football Championship playoffs, where they lost Indiana State in the first round. Schedule 1983 NCAA Division I-AA NCAA Division I-AA Football Committee September 3 w y y Illinois State Hancock Stadium Normal, IL rivalry 38–7 https://www.newspapers.com/article/chicago-tribune-eastern-is-off-to-flying/158802743/ Chicago Tribune Eastern is off to flying start September 4, 1983 November 11, 2024 Newspapers.com September 10 l y y Southern Illinois McAndrew Stadium Carbondale, IL 14–17 12,800 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-indianapolis-star-millers-field-goa/158800229/ The Indianapolis Star Miller's field goal sparks So. Illinois September 11, 1983 November 11, 2024 Newspapers.com September 17 w y Grand Valley State O'Brien Stadium Charleston, IL 35–21 6,400 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-grand-rapids-press-eastern-illinois/158846124/ The Grand Rapids Press Eastern Illinois beats Grand Valley September 18, 1983 November 11, 2024 Newspapers.com Final 1983 Cumulative Football Statistics Report (Grand Valley State) https://stats.ncaa.org/team/262/stats/13170 National Collegiate Athletic Association June 20, 2025 September 24 w y y 1983 Northeast Missouri State Bulldogs Northeast Missouri State Stokes Stadium Kirksville, MO 42–0 https://www.newspapers.com/article/herald-and-review-air-raid-eastern-raf/158846283/ Herald and Review Air raid; Eastern, Rafferty discover Wright way September 25, 1983 November 11, 2024 Newspapers.com October 1 w y Youngstown State O'Brien Stadium Charleston, IL 21–20 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-des-moines-register-rafferty-hurls-e/158846387/ The Des Moines Register Rafferty hurls E. Illinois by Youngstown State October 2, 1983 November 11, 2024 Newspapers.com October 8 w y y T–19 Akron Rubber Bowl Akron, OH 10–7 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-akron-beacon-journal-zips-come-up-sh/158846505/ The Akron Beacon Journal Zips come up short in comeback try October 9, 1983 November 11, 2024 Newspapers.com October 15 w 14 Northern Iowa O'Brien Stadium Charleston, IL 13–0 7,100 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-pantagraph-eastern-illinois-blankls/158846566/ The Pantagraph Eastern Illinois blankls N. Iowa October 16, 1983 November 11, 2024 Newspapers.com October 22 w T–9 Western Illinois O'Brien Stadium Charleston, IL 20–0 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-rock-island-argus-panthers-claw-nec/158846699/ The Rock Island Argus Panthers claw 'Necks October 23, 1983 November 11, 2024 Newspapers.com October 29 l y 7 Indiana State 20 O'Brien Stadium Charleston, IL 13–17 3,300 https://www.newspapers.com/article/southern-illinoisan-indiana-state-downs/158799362/ Southern Illinoisan Indiana State downs Eastern Illinois 17–13 October 30, 1983 November 11, 2024 Newspapers.com November 5 w 13 Southwest Missouri State O'Brien Stadium Charleston, IL 12–3 Nicholson, Eastern show 'em Herald and Review (Decatur, Illinois) November 6, 1983 B2 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/84331738/nicholson-eastern-show-em/ Newspapers.com November 12 w y y 11 Western Kentucky Houchens Industries–L. T. Smith Stadium Bowling Green, KY 34–14 5,000 Eastern Illinois forgets protest, storms past Western Kentucky The Courier-Journal November 13, 1983 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/84331527/eastern-illinois/ Newspapers.com November 26 l y y 6 Indiana State 5 Memorial Stadium Terre Haute, IN NCAA Division I-AA First Round 2OT 13–16 6,222 ISU wins, 16-13, on Bridges boots The Indianapolis Star November 27, 1983 Sports 1, 17 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/84331371/isu-wins-16-13/ Newspapers.com https://static.eiupanthers.com/custompages/football/2019/EIU_Football_Online_Guide_2019.pdf EIU Football Online Guide, 2019 Eastern Illinois athletics Roster 1983 Eastern Illinois Panthers f 84 Fr Roy Banks WR y 18 So Sean Payton QB y 13 Jr Tom Peterson QB 4 Jr Reggie Drew CB 52 Fr Rob DeVita LB y 28 Sr Robert Williams Robert Williams (defensive back, born September 1962) S y Al Molde References Eastern Illinois Category:Eastern Illinois Panthers football seasons Category:Association of Mid-Continent Universities football champion seasons Eastern Illinois Panthers football Eastern Illinois