CHARLESTON, Ill. - Eastern Illinois wrapped up its first week of camp on Thursday with a single practice as the season opener against Southern Illinois is now just three weeks away.  The opener is August 30 with a 6:30 p.m. kick off at O'Brien Field.

Thursday's practice followed the first two-a-day segment of fall camp on Wednesday.  Panthers head coach Dino Babers was excited with today's effort.

"Yesterday I thought we took off a little in the first practice with guys trying to save energy for the second practice, so I didn't think our first two-a-days was as successful as it could have been," Babers said.  "Today we came out with a little more energy for practice and now its our job as coaches to keep that energy level up."

Through the first week of practice competition is still brewing for starting roles as junior defensive end Judes Amilcar noted.

"The younger guys, the guys who redshirted last year and the guys coming back are stepping up to the challenge," Amilcar said.  "Each guy is competing and trying to win a starting spot.  For us to be successful, we just need to keep buying in as a team and buying into the up-tempo offense that Coach Babers is installing.  If we continue to buy in I think we can have a successful season."

The Panthers continue to install an up-tempo offense as the new coaching staff has had 15 spring practices and a week of fall practices with this year's squad.

"Right now we are still working on the offense in the middle of the field and developing the tempo we want," said Babers.  "I thought practice was balanced today.  The offense moved the ball very quickly between the 20's and the defense did a good job of slowing us down inside the 20's.  That red zone offense is part of our game that we will slowly start to intensify and develop as we get closer to game time against the Salukis."

Season and single game tickets are now on sale by calling 217-581-2106 or online at www.eiupanthertickets.com

In addition to Thursday's practice, Phil Steele Football preview released its 2012 preseason All-OVC team.  Seven Panthers were named to the preseason first and second team squads.  On the first team were Von Wise and Artavious Dowdell.  The second team included Chris Wright, Dominic Pagliara, Nick Beard, Roosevelt Holliday and Antonio Taylor.