Photo Gallery (by
Sandy King)
CHARLESTON, Ill. – A blocked punt with a scoop and score. Pick six. Late game scores. The 109th Mid-America Classic had it all as Illinois State edged Eastern Illinois 31-24 during an exciting game at O'Brien Field.
The win was the fourth straight in the series for Illinois State as Redbirds head coach Brock Spack became the program's all-time leader in wins.
EIU fought to the final play of the game as the Panthers had two big special teams plays in the game.
Illinois State took the final lead of the game as Pha'leak Brown scored on a 3-yard run with 1:54 remaining in the game to give ISU a 31-24 lead.
After EIU turned the ball over on downs, the Panthers defense was able to hold ISU to a field goal attempt with 34 seconds remaining which would have iced the game for the Redbirds.
Justin Growel blocked the 32-yard field goal attempt, recovering the loose ball himself and returning it ten yards to give EIU the ball one last time with 34 seconds remaining. The Panthers were unable to move the ball as back-up quarterback
Zach Weir was forced into action as starter
Otto Kuhns was banged up on the previous series. Kuhns was 16-of-32 for 204 yards and a touchdown in the game while rushing for another 43 yards.
Growel's block was the second of the game for the Panthers special teams unit as EIU tied the game at 17-17 with 6:46 left in the third quarter as
Charles Shelton IV blocked a punt that
DeAirious Smith recovered and returned seven yards for a touchdown. It was EIU's third blocked punt in the last two seasons.
Jackson Waring scored on an 8-yard run on the next drive to put ISU back in front before
Harrison Bey-Buie tied the game with a 2-yard scamper with 13:05 left in the game.
ISU built a 10-0 lead with Nigel White scoring on a 15-yard run midway through first quarter and Aidan Brasnahan knocking home a 33-yard field goal.
EIU cut the lead to 10-7 with Kuhns connecting with
Robbie Lofton on a 5-yard pass with 20-seconds left in the opening half as ISU led 10-7 at the half.
In the second half, EIU was driving deep into ISU territory with a chance to tie or take the lead. A receiver slipped on a pattern that allowed Jarrel Jackson to step into the route and return an interception 95-yards for a score putting ISU up 17-7 at the time.
Stone Galloway hit a field goal for the second straight week with a 44-yard kick midway through the third.
Cole Mueller led the ISU ground game with 144 yards. EIU limited ISU to just 54 yards passing. Braydon Deming and Zeke Vandenburgh led ISU with ten tackles each.
Jason Johnson had eight tackles to lead EIU including a fumble recovery the first half that helped set up the Panthers first score.
Jordan Miles and
Kaelin Drakeford each 1.5 tackles for loss.
ISU improved to 2-1 on the season. EIU fell to 0-4 as the Panthers open Ohio Valley Conference play next weekend at Tennessee Tech.
