CHARLESTON, Ill. – The Eastern Illinois first team offensive unit saw considerably more time on the field on Saturday as the Panthers wrapped up their second spring scrimmage at O'Brien Field.  That offensive unit was able to rack up over 400 yards through the air as the football team preps for the Spring Game next Saturday, April 28 at 6 p.m.

Jimmy Garoppolo was solid on the afternoon passing for 411 yards on 28-of-37 passing with three touchdowns and two interceptions.  The Panthers signal caller connected with Erik Lora, Von Wise and Sam Hendricks for passing touchdowns.  Lora had a passing touchdown of his own connecting on a 30-yard score to Chavar Watkins on a wide receiver pass.

The offense scored on three of its first five possessions during the controlled scrimmage with the first team offense seeing action in three of the series.  Shepard Little scored the first two touchdowns for the offense as he scampered in from three yards on the opening drive and had a 43-yard burst on the third series.  Little tacked on a third touchdown from one yard out later in the scrimmage as carried the ball 13 times for 91 yards.

The defense interrupted the scoring momentum on the fourth series as Alex McNulty forced a fumble inside the ten yard line that the defense recovered.  McNulty would later add a pass break up in the end zone on a later drive that forced the offense to settle for a 22-yard field goal.

“We need to continue to work and improve upon our tempo,” stated first year head coach Dino Babers following the scrimmage.  “I thought the team did really well as this was the first time we had a scrimmage with officials working the game.  Our team has to be ready and keep a consistent tempo so we can try any play at any certain time.”

After the field goal the offense scored on two short running plays on consecutive series before running back Jake Walker ripped off a pair of 20-yard plus scores.  Walker scored from 24 yards and 28 yards with his last touchdown coming with tacklers hanging on to the senior back.  It was the most work Walker had all spring as he had eight carries for 85 yards while catching three passes for 72 yards.

“We are starting to get a feel for the speed of the offense,” Walker said.  “We get the plays in very quickly and guys are getting lots of touches.  On every play we have the drive to try and make a play and get to the end zone.”

Lots of touches seemed to be a theme to the scrimmage as 13 different receivers had at least one catch.  Lora was the top target with seven receptions for 97 yards. Wise had six catches for 97 yards.

On the defensive side of the ball AJ Chappelle and Mike Gunter picked up interceptions.  Artavious Dowdell recorded two sacks.