Box Score
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NASHVILLE - Carlos Reyna knocked loose a ball from Jeremy Pryor's hands inside the one-yard line and the ball rolled out-of-bounds in the end zone resulting in a touchback and a 31-28 overtime win for Eastern Illinois over Tennessee State.
The win was the second straight for the Panthers who improved to 2-8 on the year, 2-6 in the OVC. It also marked the first overtime win for the program who was playing its first OT game since falling to Tennessee Tech, 40-37, on Nov. 6, 2004.
Chris Wright was the difference for the Panthers offense as he hauled in three second half touchdowns on five receptions for 217 yards. The 217 yards was the third highest total in EIU history as Wright now has five touchdown receptions in the last two weeks.
Cameron Berra hit what proved to be the game winner for the Panthers on their first overtime possession as he connected on a 37-yard field goal.
EIU trailed 28-7 at the half and appeared headed for its third straight loss to the Tigers. EIU's last win in the series also game on a field goal when Tyler Wilke won the 2007 meeting also played at LP Field.
The Tigers offense was rolling in the first half as Terrance Wright rushed for 112 yards and one touchdown to help pace a 300 yard attack. Calvin McNairl scored on a six-yard run in the first quarter and a 20-yard pass reception in the second quarter.
Eastern Illinois defense clamped down in the second half holding Wright to just 14 second half yards. TSU rushed for only 16 yards in the third quarter and finished the game with 457 yards of total offense.
Jimmy Garoppolo put together a third straight strong start finishing 20-of-33 for 331 yards with 259 yards coming in the second half. Garoppolo connected with Wright on scoring passes of 15, 65 and 81 yards.
Rashad Haynes and Perry Burge each led the Panthers with seven tackles. Eugene Clifford had 11 to lead TSU. The Tigers fell to 3-6, 0-5 in the OVC.
The Panthers wrap up the 2010 regular-season next Saturday in the Priarie State Rivalry Game with Illinois State at 1 p.m. at Hancock Stadium.
