Panthers hope for first conference win against Tigers – The Daily Eastern News

Eastern is currently 1-5 on the season and hopes to rebound from an 0-2 start in Big South-Ohio Valley Conference play when the Panthers face the Tennessee State Tigers for the first time in conference play this Saturday played away.

After a tough 38-27 loss to No. 13 Southeast Missouri last week, the Panthers want to communicate more and continue to play a full four quarters of the game.

Head coach Chris Wilkerson has noticed better detail from the players, but playing a complete game is still the big goal.

“We know that as an offense, defense and special teams we have to start faster like we did against Lindenwood, but we have to finish like we did against SEMO,” Wilkerson said. “That’s really what we’re striving for: We’re trying to play four full quarters of team supplemental football. We still need to do that this year and it’s something we continue to strive for.”

Graduate quarterback and captain Pierce Holley had another great statistical game against the Redhawks and he's looking forward to the team playing a complete football game with better communication.

“We have to start fast and put four quarters of football together,” Holley said. “(We need to) continue to act, communicate and be ready to play.”

On the offensive side of the ball, redshirt freshman wide receiver Quenton Rogers was disappointed in the game, but is taking the loss to the Redhawks in stride to go back to the drawing board and come together as a team.

“Proud of the guys for giving it their all and giving it their all in the second half,” Rogers said. “It feels like we’re all trying to put it all together and play as a unit. Coaches try to game plan players to put them in the right places where they can be successful.”

Redshirt sophomore running back MJ Flowers takes the loss to SEMO and capitalizes on it. Flowers said since the loss, the team has been more in sync during practice.

“We've had a tough few weeks and the vision is easy to see in the locker room and on the team,” Flowers said. “Just knowing we can still do it and seeing the team stick together was good.”

Flowers also said the team has been preparing for the environment at Tennessee State this week since it is the Tigers' homecoming weekend.

“I’m just preparing for the environment and going to Nissan (Stadium),” Flowers said. “We lost there two years ago, so we want to start fast on offense, start fast on defense (and) just play a full four quarters of football.”

On the defensive side of the ball, veteran defender Nicholas Oliveira-Chace knows the team can play good football; You only have to do it for four full quarters.

“We played a good second half, but that was kind of the story of the season,” Oliveria-Chace said. “We're not able to put together a full game, so we really need to improve on that and be able to play a full four quarters. “I feel like we're coming back with full force, mistakes and all fix. We know we can play good football. We just have to do it for four quarters.”

Redshirt junior safety Kaelin Drakeford said the team couldn't figure things out in the first half of the SEMO game and is constantly trying to learn and figure things out to do better for the next game.

“Just pay more attention to details and try to finish the pieces instead of just being in the right place,” Drakeford said. “With watching movies, (and) knowing (our) lines to make sure we get our jobs done.”

Wilkerson said the hardest thing right now is the frustration with the team and where they are right now.

“Given the high expectations heading into the season, the bottom line is that we need to refocus,” Wilkerson said. “We're still looking for process-oriented goals and trying to improve the turnover margin and win, the special teams battle, the explosive plays battle and that we do a good job on third downs, on offense and on defense. “The results will come by themselves, but we have to implement them for four quarters.”

Eastern is scheduled to face Tennessee State at Nissan Stadium on Saturday for another chance at conference play. Kick-off is for 5:00 p.m

Payton Liggins can be reached at 581-2812 or at [email protected].