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CHARLESTON, Ill. – On an afternoon where senior quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo cemented himself in the OVC history books, it was No. 8 Eastern Illinois defense that stole the show during a convincing 42-7 victory over Eastern Kentucky on Family Weekend at O'Brien Field.

An announced crowd of 11,469, the seventh largest in school history, watched EIU improve to 4-1 on the year, 1-0 in the OVC. EKU, which was picked second in the OVC preseason polls, fell to 2-3 on the year, 0-1 in the OVC. EIU heads into a bye week with the Panthers next game on Thursday, Oct. 10 at Austin Peay.

The Panthers defense shut down Eastern Kentucky pitching a shut out until the Colonels scored with 3:33 left in the game against EIU's second and third team unit. When EIU started to pull its starters off the field with 5:52 left in the third quarter, EIU had allowed just 140 yards of offense forcing four turnovers.

Linebacker Adam Gristick had two interceptions for EIU's defense which now has 11 on the year. EKU had 95 yards rushing to that point on 24 carries and only 45 yards passing.

"Our entire team played well today" Gristick said. "We prepared all week to stop EKU's running game and force them into passing situations. I just happened to be in good position when the ball was thrown to get those interceptions."

"Our starting defense pitched a shutout today," Babers added. "I'm proud of this football team's effort. There is some satisfaction in getting a win because we now are 1-0 to start this OVC race."

The Panthers passing attacked finished with 407 yards through the air as three quarterbacks and wide receiver Erik Lora all had pass completions. Garoppolo finished with 322 yards passing and three touchdowns. He was 26-of-39 with one interception on a ball the wide receiver slipped on while making the cut.

Garoppolo's touchdown pass to Keiondre Gober with 6:49 to play in the first quarter made Garoppolo the EIU and Ohio Valley Conference career leader in touchdown passes, moving past former EIU quarterback Tony Romo. Garoppolo now has 88 career touchdown passes, 23 this season.

EIU extended the lead to 14-0 on Taylor Duncan's 1-yard plunge with 12:20 to play in the second quarter. On that offensive drive Garoppolo passed Murray State's Casey Brockman to become the career passing leader in the OVC. Garoppolo became the 30th player in FCS history to eclipse the 10,000 yard passing mark on the next drive as he now stands at 10,159 career passing yards.

EIU scored 28 points in the second quarter to take a 35-0 halftime lead. Garoppolo hit Jeff LePak for a 21-yard catch in the back of the end zone for one score. Erik Lora found Ryan Meyer for a 5-yard touchdown pass on the next score. EIU's final score came on a 70-yard fumble return for touchdown by Anthony Goodman with 23 seconds left in the half. The fumble return is the longest fumble return for a touchdown in school history.

Goodman led EIU with eight tackles. Gristick had four tackles with the two interceptions and a tackle for loss.

EIU's final score came in the third quarter when Garoppolo connected for a second time with Gober for a 40-yard touchdown. Gober led EIU with six catches for 115 yards.

EKU's lone score was by Caleb Watkins on a 3-yard run. Brandon Stanley had eight tackles to lead the Colonels. Devin Borders blocked two EIU field goal attempts.