TSU defense hopes to live up to praise

E. Illinois coach says secondary is among best it faced

NASHVILLE, Tennessee -- Eastern Illinois coach Dino Babers called Tennessee State’s secondary the best his team has faced in the FCS.

But the bottom line is that Eastern Illinois didn’t have any more trouble moving the ball against TSU than it did against most of the secondaries it faced.

The Tigers (10-3) will get another chance Saturday at trying to stop the Panthers (11-1) in the second round of the Football Championship Subdivision playoffs in Charleston, Ill.

“We think it’s either the first- or second-best secondary we played, and it’s the best FCS secondary for sure,” Babers said. “The only teams we could compare it to was (FBS) San Diego State and Northern Illinois’ secondary.”

Eastern Illinois quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo was named one of three finalists for the Walter Payton Award, which goes to the best player in the FCS.

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