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** NOTE ** The EIU blocked field goal was credited individually to Terrell Greer after the game... partial credit for the block has now been given to Greer and Mack Weaver  **

MURRAY, Ky. – Terrell Greer and Mack Weaver stepped through the line in the second overtime period and picked up Eastern Illinois fourth blocked kick of the season as the Panthers won 27-24 in double overtime on Saturday afternoon at Murray State.

EIU improved to 5-2 on the season, 4-0 in the OVC as the Panthers have won all five games this season by a field goal or less.  It was the Panthers second double overtime win this season after beating Tennessee State, 19-16, two weeks ago in Nashville.  Murray State fell to 2-5, 1-2 in the OVC.

EIU scored in both overtime periods with Matt Severino field goals of 22 and 27 yards.  MSU scored in the first overtime period on a Gabriel Vincente 36-yard field goal but had his 38-yard attempt in the second overtime period blocked for the game winner for EIU.

Murray State moved the ball down the field on the Racers opening drive taking a 7-0 lead with 10:35 to play in the first half after quarterback Shuler Bentley raced up the middle on a third and short yardage situation.  Bentley's 29-yard score was the Racers second opening drive score this season.

The Panthers found some offensive rhythm in the second half with the ground game of Isaiah Johnson.  The junior college transfer rushed for 109 of his 232 yards in the opening half.  Johnson's total was the eighth highest single game rushing total for EIU in school history.   Johnson added a 4-yard touchdown to push the lead to 21-7 with 9:03 to play in the third quarter.

Darshon McCullough evened the score for the Panthers midway through the second quarter on a 4-yard run around the end with 7:01 to play.   McCullough fell just shy of the century mark rushing for 94 yards as EIU had 351 rushing yards on the day compared to just 58 for the Racers.

Murray State had a chance to once again take the lead late in the second quarter but missed on a 48-yard field goal attempt with 3:11 to play.  After a change of possession for both teams EIU would execute its two-minute offense with Bud Martin hitting Alexander Hollins with 12 seconds left in the half to give EIU a 14-7 lead at the break.

EIU would have a chance to increase its lead to 24-7 in the third quarter but missed on a field goal attempt.  That miss gave the Racers some momentum as the game headed to the fourth quarter.

In the fourth quarter the Racers made it a one score game after Bentley hit Jordon Gandy on a 59-yard pass with 9:51 to play.  Bentley would tie the game with 4:06 to play as he connected with D.J. Penick from 15-yards out.  Bentley passed for 332 yards while Gandy had ten catches for 193 yards.

EIU would make one final drive in regulation but missed on a field goal attempt to end the game. 

Bradley Dewberry would lead the Panthers defense with eight tackles.  A trio of MSU players had ten tackles in the game.