Saturday's Peoria Journal Star has a nice feature on former EIU running back J.R. Taylor, who left the Panthers in 2002 holding 3rd place on the school's career rushing list with 3,705 yards. Taylor's now plying his trade with the Peoria Rough Riders of United Indoor Football - as a wide receiver. The Rough Riders went down 60-53 Saturday to the Ohio Valley Greyhounds, no other stats were available from the UIF Web site, so it's hard to say what kind of game - or season - Taylor had.

Movin' on

If you're gonna start a football program from scratch, I guess it's not a bad idea to hire someone who's at least probably met Roy Kidd.

EKU assistant Matt Kitchie is headed for his hometown of Bradenton, Fla., to be the first head coach at Saint Stephens High School. He leaves after just one year working with the Colonels' wide receivers. I'm just guessing here, but perhaps the Florida boy (or the Mrs.?) didn't much care for Kentucky winters. (Can't say I blame him; homesickness is a powerful pull.) From the story in Thursday's (Bradenton) Herald:

"I did the college football thing and enjoyed every minute of it," Kitchie said. "But I decided that wasn't the best thing for me and my family."

I wonder if he made enough of a connection to establish a south Florida recruiting pipeline for Eastern?

They got game

EKU's getting ready for a big spring crimmage. The annual Maroon and White game will be Saturday at 6 p.m. at Royy Kidd Stadium. Here's the release from the athletic department.

QB, QB, QB, QB ...

Eastern Illinois looks to be loaded at quarterback as they shoot for a repeat as OVC champs. During spring drills, the Panthers staff will be looking at returning junior starter Mike Donato; three I-A transfers in Cole Stinson, an incoming sophomore from Ball State, and former Andre Brown, who transferred from Northern Illinois and was a walk-on on EIU's scout team last year, and Bodie Reeder, who was a walk-on for Wyoming's scout team last year; and redshirt freshman Lanark Eastland. The Journal-Gazzette/Times-Courier broke down the signal-caller race in this story last week.

AP buzzin'

Most of the OVC football news landing in my inbox over the last couple of weeks came out of Clarksville. It looks like Govs fans and alums are really looking forward to the program's return to the OVC and scholarship football in 2007. From a recent Clarksvhille Leaf-Chronicle story about an APSU football reunion last week:

"It's very exciting as a football alumni to see Austin Peay going back to scholarship football," said Chris Tucker, 37, who was a tight end and finished playing football in 1989. "You come for Homecoming and you're playing people you've never heard of. Going back to the OVC you're going to play traditional rivals, so it will be good to see Austin Peay playing those games.

Well, Chris, a few things have changed while the Govs were gone. I hope you won't mind adding Eastern Illinois, Jax State, Samford to the schedule. Oh, and Middle's gone now. Western came back while you were out, but they left. I guess that about brings us up to date.

When the Govs take the field as an OVC members for the first time in 2007, Carroll McRay still will be on the sidelines. APSU granted the McRay a three-year extension on his contract as head coach, according to a story from the Leaf-Chronicle.

By the way, regular readers likely noticed a lull in posts over the last week or so. It's been a bit hectic around the OVC Football Blog headquarters lately. We hope to be a bit more regular in the months to come.