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Football Reunion Photo Gallery (by Sandy King)
CHARLESTON, Ill. – Eastern Illinois built an early 21-0 lead and made a crucial goal line stand to end the first half as the Panthers (4-5, 2-3 OVC) rolled over Murray State, 34-6, on Saturday afternoon at O'Brien Field.
Freshman running back Desmin Ward found the end zone three times for the second time this season as he scored on runs of 1, 3 and 1 to give the Panthers an early 21-0 cushion. After rushing for only 15 yards two weeks ago when he scored three times against Southeast Missouri, Ward led a trio of EIU runners on Saturday finishing with a game high 94 yards on 20 carries.
“We played our best game of the season on offense today,” said EIU head coach Bob Spoo. “We ran the ball extremely well and had a good overall game when we needed it badly.”
Following the freshman back where senior Travorus Bess with 83 yards and sophomore Chevon Walker with 80 yards as EIU rushed for 226 yards. The Panthers only passed for 68 yards but Bodie Reeder was an effective 10-for-11 with one interception.
Reeder's interception came in the closing minute of the first half as he was hit by Austen Lane on the attempt and Zach Kutch broke on the ball and returned it to the EIU 9 yard line. The Panthers defense then made the stand of the game holding Murray State (3-6, 2-3 OVC) out the end zone on three attempts inside the three yard line.
Paul McKinnis rushed the ball to the three yard line on the first play and then to the one yard on the next carry. Cory Leman and D'Angelo McCray then stuffed Charlie Jordan at the goal line on the third down carry. Senior William Hodor then disrupted quarterback Jeff Ehrhardt on the fourth down play stopping the Racers short to take a 21-3 lead to the break.
“I was just trying to close the center/guard gap on the play and reached out and grabbed the quarterback's leg,” said Hodor following the game. “We pride ourselves on defense on winning those short yardage battles and today we won them.”
The Panthers defense limited Murray State to only 88 yards rushing while Ehrhardt was limited to 173 yards passing with one interception. Murray State was limited to two field goals with Kienan Cullen connecting on a 19-yarder and 34-yarder in the second and third quarters.
EIU scored in the second half on a pair of Tyler Wilke field goals from 39 and 27 yards while Walker rushed in from 13 yards late in the third quarter.
Murray State Buck Buchanan candidate Nathan Williams led all players with 21 tackles including one sack and 8 solo stops.
Eastern Illinois defense was led by Rashad Haynes with 8 tackles, one interception and one pass break-up. Haynes interception was the fourth of the season and ninth of his career as he moved into 7th place on the EIU career list. Hodor had five tackles including one of the Panthers two sacks.
The Panthers return to action next Saturday with a 1 p.m. game at Tennessee State.
