Box Score
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NORMAL, Ill. – Erik Smith scored with 1:28 remaining on a short 3-yard run as Illinois State picked up a 27-23 victory over Eastern Illinois in the 99th meeting of the Prairie State Rivalry on Saturday afternoon at Hancock Field.
In a back-and-forth contest it was the Redbirds decision to go for it on 4th and one from the 4-yard line in the final minutes that set up the eventual winning score. Smith had scored on a previous 4th and one play from the goal line in the third quarter which had put ISU up 20-16 at the time.
EIU answered that score as Jimmy Garoppolo scored from four yards out to open the fourth quarter. The Panthers had marched down the field on a big pass play from Garoppolo to Chris Wright that covered 48 yards. Garoppolo would finish the day 10-of-19 for 161 yards and one touchdown pass. He had two interceptions and was sacked once. The sack and second interception both came in the final series of the game as ISU closed out the Panthers chances.
Mon Williams opened the game with a 71-yard run from scrimmage on the first play to put EIU up 7-0. Williams became the 24th player to pass the 1,000 yard rushing mark for their career at EIU as he finished with 87 yards on the day.
Following a Redbirds turnover, EIU increased its lead to 10-0 on a 27-yard field goal by Cameron Berra at the 7:08 mark of the first quarter. ISU closed the gap to 10-6 as Steven Fetzer hit field goals from 42 and 20 yards.
The Redbirds took the lead on a Ashton Leggett one-yard run with 1:28 left in the half only to see the Panthers take the lead into the locker room on a 19-yard touchdown reception by Kenny Whittaker. Whittaker was Garoppolo's favorite target on the day with four receptions for 60 yards.
Smith would give ISU the lead at 1:38 of the third and then the final lead at 1:21 of the fourth. EIU turned away another red zone scoring chance as Gordy Kickels picked off a Matt Brown pass at the eight yard line and returned it into ISU territory at the 32. EIU would come away empty as Berra's 40-yard field goal attempt was blocked by Nick Broome.
ISU was able to win the special teams battle as they took advantage of a bad handle on an extra point attempt and also blocked a punt to set up Leggett's first half score.
Brown was 27-of-41 for 238 yards as the Redbirds finished the season at 6-5. Smith rushed for 52 yards and the two touchdowns.
Cory Leman had 15 tackles and Nick Nasti had 13 tackles for EIU as the Panthers ended the season at 2-9.
