No comment on suspensions: EIU coach Spoo

The latest from Eastern Illinois coach Bob Spoo (Ohio Valley teleconference):

No comment on possible suspensions for Saturday's game vs. Iowa. Questions have been dogging the EIU program since the beginning of the month.

"I can't comment on that," he said.

On Aug. 17, EIU suspended three players - senior running back Chevon Walker, senior defensive end Colin Luczynski and junior offensive lineman Eric Rettke - for repeated violations of team policies.

Then, coach Bob Spoo and the school spent the rest of August handling a Champaign, Ill., TV station's report that as many as 20 players faced suspensions for failed drug tests.

No new suspensions have been announced. The last time the subject was addressed by Spoo, who's entering his 24th season at Eastern, was Aug. 18. He didn't disclose any news about preseason drug tests.

“We drug test like every other school in the country,” Spoo told the Charleston (Ill.) Times-Courier. “We haven't suspended anyone other than the three who were dismissed last week for violation of team policy.”

More question marks with this team than in previous years.

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Couple doubtful O-linemen for the game. Wouldn't say who.

"There are a couple guys right now who are doubtful at this point," Spoo said. "We'll have people out there and see how they do."

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He'll try to motivate his players with last year's UNI game. Both teams are play in the FCS vs. FBS Iowa.

"Baptism of fire for some guys," he said.

Spoo said sophomore Jimmy Potempa, a 5-7, 171-pounder, will start at running back for the Panthers. He rushed for 222 yards and led EIU with 32 receptions last season.

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The Panthers' program will receive $400,000 for Saturday's game.

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"There are some question marks, probably more question marks with this team than in previous years," Spoo said. "It'll all get ironed out here in the next couple weeks."