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NORMAL, Ill. – Bodie Reeder led Eastern Illinois to 18 straight second half points as the 20th-ranked Panthers (2-2) rallied for a 25-21 win at Illinois State to end a six-year drought against the Redbirds (1-2).

Trailing 21-16, EIU grabbed its first lead of the contest as Reeder hit a streaking Chip Keys to place the ball inside the ISU five-yard line. Keys would get his number called on the next play plunging in from four yards. EIU would fail to convert its second two-point conversion but did gain a 22-21 lead with 7:06 left.

“I was glad they called my number on that play,” said Keys. “We have a lot of play makers on this team and I was the one who got to make the play this go round.”

The possession was set up by one of five defensive turnovers recovered by the Panthers defense. EIU gained control of the ball as Parrish Fisher fumbled the ball at his 40-yard line and D'Angelo McCray recovered the ball.

“Our defense set us up with some great field position all night,” added EIU signal caller Reeder. “The word 'BELIEVE' was used a lot this week in practice and tonight we believed and fought for the win.”

Tyler Wilke would ice the game with a 44-yard field goal with 1:54 left after Jack Kosinski intercepted a Kevin Brockway pass. EIU would sack the Redbirds quarterback twice on the final series with Donovan Johnson recovering a fourth down fumble to give the Panthers the win.

Eastern Illinois drove into Illinois State territory on the opening drive and went for it on a fourth and one where Redbirds defenders Pat Cucci and Paul Wright stopped the Panthers short.

Illinois State used that spark to drive down and take an early lead on its first drive. Brockway hit Eyad Salem on a corner pattern from 15-yards out to give Illinois State the early 7-0 lead with 8:07 to go in the first quarter.

The Panthers responded with a touchdown drive of their own as Reeder hit Travorus Bess on a screen pass that the senior tailback took 25-yards for a touchdown.

Brockway drove the Redbirds back down to the end zone on the ensuing drive giving Illinois State a 14-7 lead with 3:26 to go in the first as he connected with Kelvin Chandler on a 43-yard crossing route.

Illinois State was driving for another potential first half score when Seymour Loftman picked off a Brockway pass inside the 15 yard line to end the threat.

Geno Blow lifted Illinois State to a two touchdown lead to open the second half as he ran in from two yards out to cap a 12-play drive that gave the Redbirds a 21-7 lead with 8:57 to go in the third.

After Illinois State held the Panthers offense to a 3-and-out, Kevin Cook pinned the Redbirds at the 6 yard line with a 62-yard punt. James Larson would pick off a Brockway pass and return it to the Illinois State 11-yard line. The Redbirds defense held for the second time of the day as the Panthers had to settle for a 20-yard Wilke field goal to close the gap to 21-10 with 5:01 left.

EIU closed to within one score as Reeder was patient in the pocket allowing Alicus Nozinor to break free down field for a 44-yard score. The Panthers went for two to attempt to bring the score to within a field goal but Reeder's pass intended for Lorence Ricks sailed high leaving the score 21-16 with 9:37 remaining.

Reeder was 17-of-28 for 221 yards and two touchdowns in the win while Bess had 79 yards on the ground and 124 all purpose yards. Kosinski was the leading tackler with eight tackles including five solo and one interception. Pierre Walters added two sacks to give him 14 for his career passing Nick Ricks for 10th place on the all time list.

Kelvyn Hemphill had ten tackles for ISU while Brockway was 19-of-33 for 240 yards but had three interceptions to go along with two touchdowns. Salem had seven catches for 105 yards.

The Panthers will open Ohio Valley Conference play next Saturday at 1:30 p.m. against Jacksonville State. Tickets are on sale at 217-581-2106.