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CHARLESTON, Ill. - Eastern Illinois (3-3, 2-1 OVC) recovered an onside kick with 1:30 seconds left in the fourth quarter only to see the call overturned by a penalty. Eastern Kentucky (4-2, 3-0 OVC) would recover the second attempt and run out the clock for a 28-21 win.
EKU quarterback Allan Holland was an effective 30-of-44 for 321 yards and two touchdown passes. Both of his scoring strikes came while he eluded a strong Panther rush and hit receivers while scrambling around in the pocket.
The first was to Quentin Williams with 40 seconds left in the first half that put EKU up 15-14 at the half. The second was to Kyle Barber for 47 yards with 10:59 left that put the Colonels up 28-14.
After giving up two Taylor Long field goals in the first quarter, Bodie Reeder drove the Panthers down the field in two plays. Barber hit Ademola Adeniji on a screen pass then hit Jason Fisher from 29 yards out to put EIU up 7-6 with 14:25 left in the second quarter.
Long added another field goal before EIU pulled ahead 14-9 as Adeniji broke loose for a 73 yard run that put the Panthers in charge 14-9. Adeniji had 186 yards on the ground and 58 yards receiving on three catches. He moved into 14th place on the Panthers all-time rushing list with 1,437 career yards.
EKU would add two field goals in the third quarter and then go up by 14 points on the Barber score.
Reeder marched the Panthers back down the field as Travorus Bess capped a quick drive with a one yard score with 1:30 left in the game. Micah Rucker would recover an onside kick on the next play but it was wiped out by a penalty.
EIU missed two field goal attempts earlier in the game that could have allowed them to go for two points on the final touchdown. Reeder was 20-of-33 for 247 yards as the Panthers extended their streak of games without an interception to six.
Donald Thomas led an EIU defense that stuffed two of the OVC's top runners. Bobby Washington was held to 38 yards while Mark Dunn added 16. EKU had 74 yards on the ground.
Justin Curry led the Colonels with 10 tackles.
