SPORTS NETWORK POLL  |  FCS COACHES POLL

CHARLESTON, Ill. – Eastern Illinois opened the 2011 season on Sept. 1 with a 33-26 win over Illinois State in the 100th playing of the Mid-America Classic. With that win EIU moved into the teams also receiving votes in both the Sports Network Media and FCS Coaches polls.

The Panthers are the ninth team receiving votes with 13 points in the FCS Coaches poll which would place them ranked 34th nationally. EIU is among five teams receiving 12 points in the Sports Network poll which ranks them tied for 53rd in that poll.

EIU returns to action this Saturday with a 2:30 p.m. kick off at Northwestern. The game will be televised on the Big Ten Network. EIU last knocked off an FCS opponent in 2004 when they beat Eastern Michigan of the Mid-American Conference. This will be EIU's sixth straight season playing a member of the Big Ten Conference.

Defending national champion Eastern Washington continued to be ranked first in both polls following a close loss at Pac-12 member Washington. EWU received 22 of 28 first place votes in the FCS Coaches poll and 111 first place votes in the Sports Network poll. Georgia Southern was second in both polls with the remaining six first place votes in the FCS Coaches poll and 29 first place votes in the Sports Network poll.

Appalachian State, Northern Iowa, William & Mary and Montana State were ranked third through sixth in both polls. Delaware, North Dakota State, Wofford and Jacksonville State rounded out the FCS poll top ten while Wofford, Delaware, Richmond and JSU comprised the TSN remaining top ten. Richmond beat ACC member Duke to make its move up in both polls landing in 11th in the FCS Coaches poll.

Sacramento State which upset Pac-12 member Oregon State moved from not being ranked in the FCS poll to No. 18 this week. The Hornets moved up to 12th in the TSN rankings. The lone newcomer to the TSN poll this week was Bethune-Cookman which entered at No. 25 while the BCC is already ranked 24th in the FCS poll.