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CHARLESTON, Ill. – Nick Martinez picked off two passes in the final 2:26 of the game as Eastern Illinois opened the 2011 season with a 33-26 win over Illinois State in the 100th playing of the Mid-America Classic.

Martinez final interception sealed the game for the Panthers with nine seconds remaining handing EIU head coach Bob Spoo the win in his 25th and final season at EIU.

The Panthers had taken a 33-26 lead with 2:31 left in the game as Jimmy Garoppolo hit Chris Wright for a 10-yard score as Wright got a toe just inside the goal line.

EIU led 2-0 in the first quarter on a safety and increased its lead to 5-0 on a field goal by Cameron Berra. The Panthers went into the locker room leading 12-9 as ISU also scored on a safety.

ISU took a 19-12 lead with 3:55 left in the third quarter as Ben Ericksen scooped up an errant EIU snap and raced 30-yards for a score.

The Panthers tied the score on a Garoppolo one yard run as the sophomore quarterback finished with 25-of-34 for 304 yards and three touchdowns. Lorence Ricks was his top target hauling in seven passes for 114 yards and a score in the fourth quarter.

Matt Brown was 23-of-35 for 240 yards for ISU but had the two fourth quarter interceptions to Martinez. Ashton Leggett had 97 yards on the ground with two rushing TD's.

Redshirt freshman AJ Woodson was the top ground gainer for the Panthers with 52 yards on 14 carries. Senior Cory Leman led the defense with 11 tackles.

Evan Frierson and Josh Howe each had 11 tackles for ISU.

The Panthers return to action next Saturday, Sept. 10 at Northwestern. The game will be a 2:30 pm kick off and be televised on the Big Ten Network.