BOX SCORE | PDF Box
RICHMOND, Ky. – Eastern Illinois had a series of miscues on Saturday afternoon as the Panthers (3-5, 1-3 OVC) saw their 2008 NCAA FCS playoff chances evaporate with a 20-7 loss at Eastern Kentucky (5-3, 4-1 OVC).
The Panther defense held on the first possession of the game as EKU was limited to a three and out. EIU then drove down to the 4 yard line, but came away scoreless as Tyler Wilke missed a 22-yard field goal attempt wide right with 9:56 to go in the first.
EKU responded with an 80 yard drive capped by Allan Holland's six yard keeper up the middle with 1:52 left in the quarter. The Colonels converted two third downs and one fourth down on the drive that ran 8:04 off the clock.
The Colonels added another touchdown on their next offensive drive as Aaron Bradley scampered into the end zone from 2 yards out capping a 79 yard drive that put EKU up 14-0 midway through the second quarter.
Eastern Illinois turned the ball over twice in the second quarter once as the Panthers were driving at the EKU 23 yard line. The second fumble was recovered at the EIU 32 yard line which the Colonels converted into a 42-yard Taylor Long field goal with 32 seconds left in the half as EKU held a 17-0 halftime advantage.
A third turnover to start the third quarter could have done further damage to the Panthers but the EIU defense made a stand handing the ball back over to the offense. Travorus Bess ripped off a big run and Bodie Reeder found Alicus Nozinor on a five yard hook to give EIU its first score at 7:11 in the third quarter.
Long missed a 39 yard field goal to open 4th quarter giving EIU the ball at the 22 yard line. EKU's defense was up to the task this time sacking Reeder for the fifth time in the game as Chris Coy made his third sack. The Panthers had to punt the ball back to EKU which was able to run nearly two minutes off the clock before Long sailed a 50-yarded through the uprights.
Bess finished with 87 yards on the ground for the Panthers while Reeder was 15-for-24 for 156 yards. Holland was 18-for-29 for 193 yards with Shannon Davis pulling in six passes.
