HTML BOX  |  PDF BOX  |

 MURRAY, Ky. – Kevin Robinson forced and recovered a fumble for Murray State with 1:21 remaining to help the Racers pick up a come from behind 36-27 win over Eastern Illinois on Saturday afternoon at Stewart Stadium. 
 
The Panthers defense had held Casey Brockman in check until the final 3:06 of the game as the quarterback drove the Racers 75-yards in 1:44 to give Murray State a 30-27 lead as the extra point was missed.  Brockman hit Hannibal Beauford for a 16-yard score to take the lead.
 
EIU took over at its own 28 yard line with 1:21 remaining with a chance to drive to win or tie.  Robinson forced and recovered a fumble on the first play.  Mike Harris would score his fourth touchdown of the day with one second left as the Racers were running out the clock to improve to 4-3, 2-2 in the OVC.  EIU would drop to 1-6 overall, 0-5 in the OVC.
 
EIU pushed its lead to 27-17 with 6:29 left in the third quarter as Jake Walker found pay dirt for the second time in the game.  Scott Weatherford's fake punt at 9:25 and a 22-yard run by Jimmy Garoppolo kept the drive alive for the Panthers.  Earlier in the game Weatherford had made a saving tackle on Darrell Davis following a blocked PAT attempt that the Racers were attempt to return for points.
 
EIU had a chance to extend the lead but missed on a 37-yard field goal near the end of the third quarter.  MSU answered with a six minute drive cutting the lead to 27-24 on a Mike Harris 1-yard score with 10 minutes remaining.
 
Murray State took the opening possession and drove the length of the field as Harris scored from 1-yard out.  Eastern Illinois answered on its opening drive with Garoppolo finding Chris Wright for a 36-yard touchdown pass.
 
Garoppolo would connect with Wright again at the 13:38 mark of the second quarter as both quarterback and receiver moved up the EIU career charts for touchdown passes and touchdown receptions.  Garoppolo moved into 8^th on the EIU career touchdown passes list while Wright moved into 9^th.
 
Harris found the end zone for the second time in the game at the 2:39 mark of the second quarter and gave MSU the lead at 14-13 as EIU had its PAT attempt blocked on Wright's second touchdown reception. 
 
The Panthers took a 20-14 lead with 37 seconds left in the half as Walker scored in the final minute of a half of the second straight week.  Walker had 51 yards in the first half as he finished with 88 on the ground.
 
A failed squib kick allowed the Racers to move down the field and cut the halftime margin to 20-17 as Kienan Cullen knocked home a 39-field goal.  EIU held the halftime advantage in total offense with 259 yards compared to 164 for Murray State.
 
Harris had 133 yards rushing for the Racers who finished with 386 yards of total offense.   Brockman was 23-of-36 for 207 yards.
 
Garoppolo paced the Panthers offense with 247 yards through the air going 18-of-31.  EIU finished with 392 yards of total offense. Wright had 130 yards receiving on five catches.
 
Antonio Taylor led EIU's defense with 13 tackles while Nick Beard added eight tackles.
 
EIU returns to action next Saturday hosting UT Martin at 1:30 p.m. in the Panthers homecoming game.