* Turn Back Tuesday will be a new feature on the EIUpanthers.com website that will revisit some of the memorable moments in Eastern Illinois Panther athletic history. *

Previous Turn Back the Clock Photos 

Dec. 9, 1978 - Eastern Illinois put the capstone on the most incredible season ever in Panther football history, winning the NCAA National Championship in front of an ABC-TV national audience.  The Panthers held on for a 10-9 win over Delaware in a game played in Longview, Texas.

Poke Cobb (pictured above) rushed for 101 yards and scored on a one yard TD run early in the fourth quarter to put the Panthers ahead but victory was not assured until Delaware's Brandt Kennedy missed a 45 FG with nine seconds. EIU's defense limited Delaware's vaunted Wing-T offense to just 155 yards rushing and forced five fumbles. LB Ray Jeske was in on 21 tackles.

EIU finished the season with a 12-2 record after going 1-10 the previous year.  Head coach Darrell Mudra was referred to as "Dr. Victory" after helping to save Panther football.   Altogether the Panthers set 25 school records with Cobb, James Warring, and Pete Catan named All-Americans.