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CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Eastern Illinois had two chances to take first half leads on Saturday afternoon but failed to convert on both opportunities as Illinois pulled away with 19 second quarter points of their own to win 47-21.
Illinois entered ranked No. 24 in the Associated Press poll while Eastern Illinois was ranked No. 18 in the FCS ranks.
Both teams traded turnovers on the first two drives of the game as Seymour Loftman picked off a Juice Williams pass and returned it 17 yards to the EIU 44. On the ensuing drive Bodie Reeder's pass bounced off the shoulder pads of Chip Keys and landed in Illini linebacker Brit Miller's hands returning the ball to the EIU 34. Williams would take advantage of the turnover hitting Chris Duvalt from 16-yards out.
Loftman and Miller would end the day as their team's top defensive players. Loftman recorded 15 tackles and a pass break-up to go along with his interception. Miller had 11 tackles including a sack, 2.5 tackles for loss and one forced fumble.
EIU would answer on the Illinois score on their next drive as Travorus Bess broke off a 55-yard run up the middle to put the ball at the Illinois 11 yard line. Desmin Ward found the end zone two plays later from five yards out. Bess would reel off 183 yards for the game averaging 12.2 yards per carry. He became the 23rd Eastern Illinois back to pass the 1,000 yard mark for his career.
“Bess is a guy who has been hurt on and off for four year's,” mentioned EIU head coach Bob Spoo. “He's got some stuff – quickness, speed and a lot of heart. He had some great runs out their today.”
The Panthers then had two opportunities to take the lead in the first half and put the announced crowd of 60,131 on its heels. Adrian Arrington picked off a Williams pass on the next Illinois drive. EIU would miss a 52-yard field goal attempt with 6:55 to go in the first quarter. Illinois kicker Matt Eller would make field goals from 21 and 42 yards to put the Fighting Illini up 13-7.
“We were excited to come in to somebody else's house, with thousands of people and all the hype and play football between the lines,” Loftman said. “It was exciting for us to get some turnovers and challenge them early in the game. It's a big positive for our team.”
EIU had its biggest chance at a positive midway through the second quarter as the Panthers recovered a muffed punt at the Illini 15 yard line. After moving the ball to the six yard line on the first two plays, EIU was stuffed at the line on third and fourth down failing to convert a first down and potential go ahead score.
“We ran a power off-tackle play. It should be one of those plays we make,” stated Spoo following the game. “We had one of our biggest backs, but I understand we missed a block and somebody knifed right in there and made a play for them.”
The Illinois offense would make plays on the next drive as Williams marched them 93 yards in 9 plays to go up 19-7 as the two-point conversion was stopped. Williams rushed for a 7 yard score on that drive and would end the second half with a one yard touchdown run that put the Illini up 26-7 at the half. Williams was able to beat the Panthers with his legs rushing for 174 yards while passing for only 124 yards on 16-of-25.
“I thought our running game picked up today, but then again theirs did too,” Spoo added. “We were functional and we did some good things, but we couldn't stop them. He (Juice Williams) is outstanding. He's come a long way and he's got another year to go.”
Eastern Illinois opened the second half with a drive into Illinois territory but came away with no points. The Illini added two touchdown runs by Arrelious Benn to put the game away.
The Panthers would add two late scores as Reeder hit Lorence Ricks on a 15-yard corner pattern. Senior Irvin Jean-Charles would then scoop up a fumble on the next drive and score from 9 yards out as Bobson Mercier forced the fumble.
Reeder was limited to only 7-for-17 hitting Charles Graves for two of those completions. Bess did haul in a swing pass for 40 yards to finish with 223 all purpose yards.
“The offensive line made some big holes for me tonight,” Bess said of his performance. “It feels good to know that we can run the ball with some success against a team of that quality. It gives us confidence but we just have to keep working hard.
The Panthers will return to FCS level competition for their remaining ten games starting with next Saturday's home opener against Indiana State at 6 p.m. at O'Brien Stadium.
