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CHARLESTON, Ill. – Eastern Kentucky scored on eight of nine offensive possessions as the Colonels (2-3, 1-1 OVC) sent host Eastern Illinois to its fifth straight loss on the season and in the series.  EKU won 48-16 to drop EIU to 1-5 on the year, 0-4 in the OVC.

The Colonels marched down the field on the first possession behind a big 64-yard run by Matt Denham.  Eastern Illinois defense would stiffen on that drive holding EKU to only a Luke Pray 20-yard field goal.

Following a 3-and-out by the Panthers offense EKU again used the legs of Denham with a 54-yard burst as the running back found the end zone with 8:32 left to go in the first to put EKU up 10-0.  Denham finished with a career high 216 yards on 22 carries as EKU finished with 374 yards on the ground.

EKU then tried to put away EIU earlier with an onside kick attempt that was recovered by the Panthers on the EKU 39 yard line.  EIU would have to settle for a 23-yard Cameron Berra field goal to trim the lead to 10-3.

The Panthers defense then held EKU to its lone none scoring possession with 1:08 left in the first as the Colonels had to punt.  EIU was unable to move the ball and on the ensuing drive T.J. Pryor hit H.B. Banjoman for a 5-yard touchdown pass to put EKU up 17-3.  Banjoman would finish with three EKU touchdowns as he added rushing scores in the third and fourth quarters.

EIU was able to cut the EKU lead to 24-10 with seven seconds remaining in the half as Jake Walker dove in for a 3-yard touchdown.  The Panthers seemed to have the momentum heading into the half before a penalty on a short kick off placed the ball near midfield.  A roughing the passer penalty as time expired set up a Pray 49-yard field goal with no time on the clock.

Jeremiah Williams tacked on the other EKU score in the third quarter.  EIU's other touchdown was on a Jimmy Garoppolo 16-yard pass to Jeremy Rykard.  It was Rykard's first career touchdown.  The Panthers failed on a two-point conversion.

Garoppolo finished 22-of-34 for 257 yards with one touchdown and one interception.  His favorite target on the day was Kenny Whittaker who went over the century mark for career receptions with eight catches for 57 yards.  Whittaker now has 104 career receptions. 

EKU limited EIU to only 24 yards rushing on the day with Tyson Patrick leading the defense with eight tackles.

EIU's defense was led by Cory Leman with 14 tackles and Antonio Taylor with 10 tackles.

The Panthers play at Murray State next Saturday with a 3 p.m. kick off at Stewart Stadium.