“Young” would probably be the best way of describing the Eastern Illinois football squad which will open its season this Saturday night against NIU.

The Panther’s starting quarterback, Kip Hennelly, is a redshirt freshman. Their offensive line lost all but two starters, right guard Brad Fichtel and left tackle Dan Purcell, both sophomores. EIU has 11 juniors in the starting lineup and only six seniors.

One of the team’s strongest points is their desire.

“Our attitude has been outstanding,” head coach Bob Spoo said. “We had a successful season last year (9-4), and hopefully that will carry-over. Perhaps an incentive would be to get into the Division I-AA playoffs again.”

EIU was eliminated in the quarterfinals of the 1989 I-AA playoffs by Montana, 25-19.

The Panthers’ I-back/single-back offense is loaded at the running back position. There are five returnees with game experience, including tailbacks Jamie Jones and Edson Castillo, who rushed for 887 and 259 yards last season, respectively.

“I’m probably most pleased about our situation at running back because of the numbers of quality people,” Spoo said. “We seem to have both speed and size, which gives us some flexibility in using these people in different combinations.”

Hennelly, who won the QB job last spring, replaces three-year starter Eric Arnold. The 6-1 Hennelly was the Chicago Sun-Times male prep Athlete of the Year in 1989.

“He is mobile enough to get us out of some bad situations and throws the ball well underneath, which is our passing game,” offensive coordinator Roy Wittke said. “He has a good feel for the intermediate pass.”

Hennelly’s top returning receivers are juniors Jason Cook and Tim Moore. Cook led the Panthers in 1989 with 37 receptions for 730 yards and seven touchdowns. Moore ranked second with 35 receptions for 302 yards and two touchdowns.

The defense that will try to contain NIU’s spread option is led by senior nickelback Tim Lance. The 6-foot-1 Lance led the Panthers last year with 120 tackles, six interceptions, three sacks and a blocked kick.

“Tim Lance, of course, is a key element,” Spoo said. “He seems improved in every area. (He’s) so positive about his contribution to this team, a leader by his actions.”

All four of EIU’s 1989 starting linebackers graduated, leaving little experience behind them. Senior John Noll is the only veteran returning to the inside positions.

Will the Panther defense try to stop NIU’s Stacey Robinson from another record-setting game?

“How do you stop someone like that?” Spoo said. “I don’t suspect we’re going to stop him. We’ll try to use the things we’ve used against other wishbone teams, but I don’t suspect we’re going to stop him. We’d like to contain him and keep him from one of his long touchdown runs.”