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CHARLESTON, Ill. – Jake Christensen became the first Eastern Illinois quarterback to throw four touchdown passes in a game since Tony Romo accomplished the feat in 2002 as the 13th-ranked Panthers routed UT Martin, 49-13, on Saturday afternoon to win at-least a share of the Ohio Valley Conference title.
EIU improved to 8-2, 6-1 in the OVC. UTM fell to 4-6, 3-4 in the OVC
Christensen was 18-of-21 for 322 yards and four touchdowns as the senior hit eight different receivers during the game. Christensen also became the first EIU quarterback to pass for more than 300 yards in a game since Cole Stinson did so in the 2007 opener against Tennessee Tech. Christensen's favorite target on the day was Charles Graves who caught four passes for 108 yards and two scores.
EIU marched down the field on the opening possession as Mon Williams carried the load rushing for 32 yards including a two-yard touchdown that put the Panthers up 7-0 at the 11:26 mark of the first.
UT Martin seemed poised to answer as Cade Thompson pushed the Skyhawks quickly into EIU territory before a holding penalty stalled the drive. Two players later CJ James stepped in front of a UTM receiver, intercepting the pass and returning it 79 yards for a touchdown. It was the second interception returned for touchdown this season by James and his fifth interception of the year.
Following the James interception the Skyhawks put together a second solid drive ending with a Miguel Barnes two yard touchdown run. Barnes was the top Skyhawks rusher on the day with only 49 yards as the Panther defense held the OVC's second best rushing attack to 127 yards rushing. 58 of those yards came in the fourth quarter when both teams played their reserves.
EIU answered the UTM score on the opening play of the second quarter with Christensen hitting Lorence Ricks from 27-yards out. Christensen would connect with Graves from 9 yards out with 2:17 left in the half as the Panthers built a 28-7 halftime lead.
The offense continued to click in the third quarter as the Panthers had 171 yards of offense in the quarter scoring 21 points. Christensen hit Jimmy Potempa from three yards out and Graves from 45 yards while Chevon Walker ran in from 10 yards to account for the scores.
EIU racked up 457 yards of total offense. The defense was led by James Cooper and Nick Nasti with six tackles. EIU limited Thompson to 13-of-24 passing and 140 yards.
Jason McNair scored the final UTM touchdown with 10:13 left in the game. Mike Hicks caught six passes for 64 yards. Josh Bey was the top tackler with nine tackles and 1.5 tackles for loss.
EIU will end the regular-season on Thursday evening against Tennessee State. The game will kick off at 5:30 p.m. and air on ESPNU. EIU can win the OVC title outright and guarantee a 13th trip to the NCAA FCS playoffs with a win over TSU.
