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Photo Gallery (by
Sandy King)
NORMAL, Ill. –
Addison Bounds recovered an onside kick attempt with 31 seconds remaining and Eastern Illinois upset No. 5 Illinois State, 24-21, in the 105th playing of the Mid-America Classic.
It was EIU's first win over a top five ranked opponent since Nov. 7, 1992 when the Panthers beat No. 1 ranked Northern Iowa.
EIU built a 10-0 lead at the half with
Nick Bruno knocking home a 42-yard field goal and Bounds catching a 3-yard touchdown pass from
Mitch Kimble. Both Panther scores were set up the turnovers as
Vince Speller forced a fumble that led to Bruno's field goal.
Tyree Stone-Davis picked off a pass in the second quarter that led to the Bounds touchdown.
Illinois State cut the margin to 10-7 early in the third quarter as Christian Gibbs hauled in a 16-yard touchdown. EIU quickly answered with a touchdown pass to
Ben Odugbesan with 8:06 to play in the third quarter.
Devin Church appeared to ice the game in the fourth quarter as he slipped through gap during an ISU blitz and raced 30-yards for a touchdown. Church finished with 76 yards on the ground.
ISU scored twice in the final five minutes. Jake Kolbe scored on a 58-yard quarterback scramble and then connected with Spencer Schnell on a two-yard pass with 36 seconds left to make it a three point game.
Bounds recovered the onside kick and EIU improved to 2-1 on the year and will host Austin Peay next Saturday at 1 p.m. in the OVC opener.
ISU fell to 2-1 on the season and will open Missouri Valley Football Conference play next week.
Seth McDonald led EIU's defense with ten tackles including 1.5 tackles for loss.
Jarvis Williams was credited with 3.5 tackles for loss.
Nick Horne had six tackles, two tackles for loss and a forced fumble in the fourth quarter.
