Tweet #W1NasONE

Box Score  |  Photo Gallery  (by Sandy King)

CHARLESTON, Ill. – After a 463 day wait to play football, Eastern Illinois opened its spring season on Sunday afternoon hosting No. 21 Southeast Missouri.
 
The Redhawks took advantage of a short field several times in the second quarter scoring 27 points to pull away for a 47-7 win over EIU.
 
Leading 7-0 after the first quarter, SEMO punched in touchdowns with 1-yard runs by Zion Custis and Geno Hess in the quarter.  Kenny Doak tacked on a pair of field goals and Andrew Bunch hit Johnny King for a 17-yard touchdown to put the Redhawks up 34-0 with 1:28 left in the first half. 
 
Freshman running back Kendi Young brought some life to the Panthers offense on the next possession breaking free for a 72-yard touchdown scamper.  He would finish the day with 88 yards on the ground, EIU rushed for 124 as a team.
 
After the half, Hess scored his second touchdown of the day as both he and Custis rushed for two touchdowns as SEMO rushed for 147 yards.   Most of the Redhawks damage came through the air as Bunch passed for 302 yards.  King was his top target with seven catches for 115 yards.
 
EIU had two quarterbacks see time under center with Harry Woodbery passing for 101 yards.  Otto Kuhns closed the game passing for 70 yards.
 
SEMO's final score was on an Al Young interception return for touchdown in the fourth quarter.  It was one of four EIU turnovers in the game. 
 
Raymond Crittenden and Anthony Shockey both led EIU with nine tackles.   JJ Ross had five tackles, two pass break-ups and a fumble recovery.
 
EIU travels to UT Martin next Sunday to play the game that postponed from Feb. 21.  Kickoff is 1 p.m.