Two former elite football programs going through tough seasons meet tonight for the first time in 29 years.

Eastern Illinois comes to Lake Charles as a rebuilding team with a first-year head coach. That should sound familiar for McNeese State fans, who see their program in exactly the same spot.

Both the Panthers (2-6) and Cowboys (1-7) are looking to break losing streaks tonight when they meet for a 7 p.m. kickoff at Cowboy Stadium.

McNeese has lost four straight while EIU is on a three-game skid. The Panthers last win came against Southland Conference-leader Northwestern State in early October.

Both teams blew two-touchdown leads in the second half last weekend.

“They are very similar to us,” said first-year McNeese head coach Gary Goff. “They have had a lot of the same issues and

have a new staff.”

McNeese won the previous two meetings, the most recent a 49-7 blowout in 1993 when current Panthers head coach Chris Wilkerson was a member of the EIU squad.

“It was long ago but I remember it was early in the season and it was really hot down there,” Wilkerson said of the game. “I’m glad when we are going down there this time of the year.”

McNeese will once again start senior Walker Wood at quarterback. Wood trigged the Cowboys offense last week, going 14 of 20 for 203 yards and a touchdown. He also ran for 84 yards and another score.

“It was fun to get out there but we have to keep it going,” Wood said. “What we really need is a victory.”

McNeese’s lone win of the season came in Week 4 against Division II Mississippi College. The Cowboys have gotten closer of late, last week losing 28-27 to Southeastern Louisiana after three consecutive weeks of allowing more than 40 points.

“McNeese is improving and playing better every week,” Wilkerson said. “Like us, they are laying the foundation for something special down there.”

The Panthers are expected to have their starting quarterback return after missing a couple games with an injury. Dom Shoffner is slated to start against the Cowboys. He has rushed for 267 yards in five games.

“They like to run the ball,” Goff said. “They are a big, physical team and we have to be ready. We are just trying to win a ballgame right now.”

McNeese will also try to run the ball behind senior Deonta McMahon, who leads the Southland in rushing with 761 yards and has scored seven touchdowns over the last two games.

He also leads the league in all-purpose yards at 151.3 a game.

“McMahon is their guy,” Wilkerson said. “He is a tough back and can do a lot of things. They’re offense presents a number of problems for us.”

McNeese has seen improved receiver play thanks to youngsters Jaylen Johnson and Jon McCall, both of whom played a big part in Wood’s success last week.

“McNeese is a lot better than their record,” Wilkerson said. “We think we are as well.”

We will find out tonight if he’s right.