HTML Box | PDF Box | Photo Gallery (Sandy King) | CASA Family Fun Day Photos (Sandy King)
CHARLESTON, Ill. – Eastern Illinois rolled to a 24-0 halftime lead and never looked back as the 20th-ranked Panthers easily defeated Indiana State 38-3 during the home opener at O'Brien Stadium.
The Panthers (1-2) set the tone early with their defense and special teams. CJ James blocked a punt on the first series and rambled towards the end zone only to have the ball knocked out by Indiana State and recovered at the 5 yard line. Indiana State (0-2) would go three and out from inside its own 10 yard line giving the Panthers great field position.
Starting at the ISU 21 yard line, EIU would score a 32-yard field goal from Tyler Wilke for the game's first points. On the next possession Rashad Haynes picked off a Charles Dowdell and returned it 23 yards for a touchdown.
Indiana State dominated the first quarter in time of possession holding the ball for 13:21 of the quarter but EIU held the lead on the scoreboard at 10-0 despite running only three plays on offense.
The Panthers were more balanced in the second quarter adding a pair of touchdowns on a Travorus Bess 31-yard run and Sean McGrath eight yard reception from Bodie Reeder. Bess would finish the day with 13 carries for 93 yards for a 7.2 yard per carry average. Reeder was 9-of-15 for 107 yards and two scores.
Reeder's second touchdown pass was to Charles Graves in the third quarter while Desmin Ward scored from one yard out in the third.
Indiana State's only points of the game came at 14:09 of the fourth quarter on a 22-yard field goal by Braul Martinez. It was the first score of the year for the Sycamores who were shutout 52-0 by Eastern Michigan in the season opener.
EIU shut down two Indiana State drives on fourth down stops and picked up two turnovers. EIU's defense made 15 tackles for loss for a total 53 yards. Donovan Johnson had three of those tackles for loss in his 15 stops.
Dowdell led Indiana State with 52 yards rushing and 55 yards passing. Alex Sewall made a team high 9 tackles.
The Panthers travel to Illinois State next Saturday for a 6:30 p.m. kick off.
