PDF Box Score
NATCHITOCHES, La. -
Blake Ruffin's interception in the fourth quarter set up a deciding two-score lead for Eastern Illinois as the Panthers improved to 4-1 with a 19-10 win over Northwestern State on Saturday night at Turpin Stadium.
Both teams traded field goals in the opening quarter.  Brett Money connecting from 23 yards for Northwestern State for the opening points with 6:43 to play in the first quarter. Â
Julian Patino knotted the game at 3-3 with five seconds left in the opening quarter. Patino's score was set up by a forced fumble by
Joel Barrows.
EIU took a 10-3 lead early in the second quarter as
Pierce Holley hit Justin Bowick for a 52-yard pass with 10:28 to play. The Demons tied the game at 10-10 with 2:28 left in the half on a Chance Newman 1-yard run. The score was set up by a long pass 54-yard pass from Quaterius Hawkins.
The Panthers had one final drive before the end of the first half but missed on a long field goal attempt to head into the break tied at 10-10.
Holley drove the Panthers down the field to open the second half again hitting Bowick for a big pass on the drive. Holley passed for 274 yards with Bowick catching four passes for 130 yards. Â
Kevin Daniels closed out the drive with a 6-yard touchdown run with EIU having the extra point blocked.
The teams would then trade turnovers with EIU's turnover a fumble at the 1-yard line. The Panthers defense forced a punt setting up another short field for EIU midway through the third quarter. EIU's drive would end with another missed long field goal.
Ruffin's interception then set up short field as
Stone Galloway knocked home a 23-yard kick with 8:03 to play giving the Panthers the 19-10 final advantage.
Ruffin wrapped up his big day on defense with 13 tackles including eight solo stops.Â
Elijawah Tolbert added 12 tackles.
Hawkins passed for 281 yards for Northwestern State. Zach Patterson his top target with seven receptions for 74 yards.  Jared Pedraza led the Demons defense with 13 tackles as they fell to 0-4 on the season.
