CHARLESTON, ILL. - The story book ending Eastern Illinois had hoped to send long time head coach Bob Spoo out with on Saturday afternoon was spoiled as the Panthers fell one point short in an 18-17 loss to Tennessee State.

Spoo coached his final game at O'Brien Field with more than 100 former players on hand to pay tribute to the Panthers all time leader in football wins.  Spoo is in his 25th and final season as EIU's head coach having led the program to 144 wins and nine FCS playoff appearances.
EIU fell to 2-8 on the year, 1-7 in the OVC.  The Panthers will play the final game of Spoo's long career next Saturday at Southern Illinois.  TSU improved to 4-5 overall, 3-3 in the OVC.

EIU held a 7-5 lead at the half as the Panthers defense had an inspired effort that included two inceptions of Tigers quarterback Mike German.  Antonio Taylor and Pat Wertz both had their first career interceptions for EIU as TSU's only offensive score was a 51-yard field goal by Jamin Godfrey with six seconds left in the half.

Jimmy Garoppolo found Chris Wright for the fourth straight game with a touchdown pass as Wright hauled in a 13-yard strike for his 10th touchdown of the season.  TSU's first score came as a snap on a punt sailed through the end zone for safety.  EIU had added a field goal in the second quarter by Cameron Berra but a penalty by TSU extended the drive.  EUI took the points off the board and was then stopped on a fumble at the TSU 9 yard line.

The Panthers appeared on their way to a second straight win as they tacked on two more scores in the third quarter.  Jake Walker scored a 4-yard touchdown at the 12:55 mark and Berra put EIU up 17-5 with 7:12 left on a 37-yard field goal.  Walker rushed for 109 yards passing the century mark for the second straight week.  Berra's field goal moved him up to ninth on the Panthers career list.

TSU then turned to running back Trabis Ward as he finished with 142 yards and two scores.  Ward had a 3-yard touchdown with 14:28 to go in the game and put TSU ahead with a 1-yard plunge with 1:49 remaining in the game.  EIU would break up the two-point conversion to give them a chance to win.

Garoppolo drove the Panthers to the 50-yard line and on a fourth and five his pass to Von Wise was just over Wise's fingertip which would have extended the drive.  Garoppolo was 14-f-27 for 149 yards. 

In addition to serving as Bob Spoo's final game the contest was also EIU's senior day with Gordy Kickels and Cory Leman leading the defense.  Kickels had 15 tackles including 1.5 for loss.  Leman had 8 tackles.  The remainder of the senior class that was honored during a pre-game ceremony included Lorence Ricks, Eric Zink, Nick Martinez, James Cooper, Keithan Hedrick and Mike Garrity.