NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Eastern Illinois defense outplayed Tennessee State's offense as the No. 2 ranked Panthers picked up a 34-16 victory over the No. 21 ranked Tigers at LP Field on Saturday.

EIU improved to 7-1 overall, 4-0 in the OVC and remains the last unbeaten team in the conference championship race. TSU fell to 7-2 overall, 4-1 in the OVC.

EIU scored on three plays on its first drive as Jimmy Garoppolo hit Keiondre Gober for a 61-yard score, Garoppolo's sixth 60-yard touchdown pass this season. Garoppolo would add a 34-yard touchdown pass to Jeff LePak in the second quarter to extend EIU's lead to 21-3 at the half. Garoppolo hit LePak on a hail mary as time expired in the first half and the 6'6" junior receiver was stopped at the 1-yard line.

TSU scored with 8:09 to go in the first quarter on a 43-yard Jamin Godfrey field goal. Godfrey missed a second quarter field goal.
Shepard Little rushed for 138 yards on the day with 72 yards in the first quarter. Little scored the Panthers second touchdown of the day at 11:08 of the second quarter on a 21-yard scamper. On that score Cameron Berra converted the extra point to become the Panthers career leader in point after attempts passing Chad Larner.

Garoppolo finished the day with 410 yards passing. He had 272 yards in the first half, the eighth straight game this year he has passed for 200 or more yards in the first half this season. After hitting Gober and LePak in the first half for touchdowns, Garoppolo connected with both again in the second half as he now has 100 career touchdown passes. Gober caught a 29-yard touchdown in the third quarter. LePak caught a 25-yard touchdown pass in the fourth.

The Panthers defense was solid in the opening half allowing 164 yards and three points. Pete Houlihan had six first half tackles. The senior led the team with eight tackles. EIU broke up 10 passes with Nick Beard credited with four pass break-ups.
TSU scored with 12:04 to go in the game as Wesley Garlington caught an 11-yard pass from Ronald Butler to cut EIU's lead to 28-10. Butler hit Dantwan O'Neal for a 17-yard pass with 5:18 left.

Gober caught six passes for 128 yards. LePak had four catches for 112 yards. Erik Lora had ten catches for 105 yards as he moved into the FCS career top ten for pass receptions with 284. This was the second time in school history three EIU receivers finished with 100 or more yards.

Nick Thrasher led TSU's defense with ten tackles. The 34 points were the highest allowed by TSU this season as the Tigers ranked second in the nation in total defense and scoring defense entering the game. EIU finished with 567 yards of total offense.

EIU returns to action next Saturday at home hosting Tennessee Tech at 12 p.m. at O'Brien Field. The game is the Panthers annual Athletic Hall of Fame Game. Call 217-581-2106 for tickets or online at www.eiupanthertickets.com