Box Score  |  Photo Gallery (by Sandy King)

Eastern Illinois forced three Tennessee State turnovers while holding the Tigers to just 30 yards rushing as EIU improved to 3-2 overall, 2-0 in the OVC-Big South with a 31-7 win over TSU.
 
It was the first 2-0 start to conference play since the 2017 season for the Panthers.  TSU dropped to 1-4 overall, 0-2 in the OVC-Big South.
 
EIU led 17-0 at the half on a Cole LaCrue 3-yard run in the opening quarter and Joe McNab's first career catch for a 1-yard touchdown with 26 seconds left in the half.  Drew Schiller tacked on a 28-yard field goal.
 
LaCrue scored one more time on a 1-yard run in the third quarter to push the Panthers lead out to 24-0.  Both LaCrue and Connor Wolf saw time under center.  LaCrue rushed for 22 yards and the two touchdowns.  He was also 2-of-3 pass for 34 yards.  Wolf passed for 134 yards and two scores.
 
Tennessee State ended the shutout early in the fourth quarter as Byron McNair connected with Snap Reed for a 28-yard score.  McNair passed for 205 yards.  Reed led TSU with four catches for 52 yards.
 
EIU's final touchdown came through the air as Cooper Willman hauled in a 26-yard touchdown from Wolf.  
 
EIU's defense was led by Ja'Wuan Nickson with seven tackles and a tackle for loss.  Tienne Fridge and Christopher Sharp (on special teams) forced fumbles while Brandon Worsley had the interception.  EIU held TSU to just 235 yards of total offense in the game.
 
TSU's defense was led by Sammy Taylor with eight tackles.  James Stewart had seven tackles and three tackles for loss.