Eastern Illinois University Athletics

Another tight game in the Ohio Valley Conference came down to the final drive as Eastern Illinois was not able to extend a potential game tying drive on a fourth-and-six play inside the red zone coming up short in a 20-13 loss to Lindenwood on Saturday afternoon at O'Brien Field.
 
The contest was back-and-forth as Lindenwood scored first on a 36-yard field goal by Will Graham after the Panthers stone-walled the Lions drive inside the red zone.   Aidan Archibald had a quarterback hurry on Pops Battle to force an incomplete pass forcing Lindenwood to settle for three.  Archibald finished with six tackles including 1.5 tackles for loss.
 
Eastern Illinois took its first lead of the game early in the second quarter as Brandon Worsley picked off a pass to end a Lindenwood drive.  Cole LaCrue rushed up the middle for 15 yards on the first play before hitting Jeremy Reeves on 49-yard touchdown pass with 12:12 to play in the half.
 
Lindenwood was turned away midway through the second quarter as Graham missed a field goal.  The kicker ended the day 2-of-4 for the Lions.   Steve Hall gave the Lions the lead just before the half with a 10-yard touchdown run as Lindenwood led 10-7 at the half.
 
The Lions lead grew to 13-7 on Lindenwood's opening drive of the third quarter on Graham's 22-yard field goal.
 
Two possessions later EIU tied the game at 13-13 with LaCrue hitting senior tight end Alex Ginnever for a 24-yard touchdown pass before the extra point attempt was blocked.
 
Battle gave Lindenwood the final lead on the opening drive of the fourth quarter with a short touchdown plunge going up with 11 minutes to play in the game.  Battle passed for 230 yards.
 
EIU had its final drive of the game start at its own 16 after forcing a Lindenwood three-and-out.  The Panthers drove to the Lindenwood 17 yard line with the final play ending the game on a pass break-up by Brayon Crawford to end the comeback bid by EIU.
 
LaCrue passed for 203 yards and two touchdowns but did have his streak of consecutive passes without an interception end in the second half.  Reeves had four catches for 79 yards.
 
Lonnie Burt and Ja'Wuan Nickson both had nine tackles for EIU.  The Panthers fell to 2-5 overall, 1-1 in the OVC.  Lindenwood improved to 2-4 overall, 2-1 in the OVC.