MURRAY, Ky. - Running back
Charles Kellom was up to the task as Eastern Illinois played its earliest season opener in school history.
The senior rushed for a career-high 171 yards and three touchdowns helping power the Panthers to a 28-14 win at Murray State (0-1) on Thursday night. It was the second straight season opening win for EIU (1-0).
Murray State took the early lead in the game as Jaxson Potter hauled in a 13-yard pass from Collin Shannon just 30 seconds into the second quarter. The extra point was missed, one of two kicking miscues for the Racers in the opener.
Premiere Whitley blocked a Murray State field goal in the second quarter that would have put the Racers back in the lead after Kellom scored the first of his touchdowns with 9:56 to play in the first half.
Kellom raced 88-yards for his second score with 58 seconds left in the first half only to see the Racers drive down the field and score as time expired on a Shannon 7-yard touchdown connection to Trey Firestone. Firestone caught the two-point conversion to make it 14-14 at the half.
Kellom tacked on his third touchdown on the Panthers first drive of the third quarter finishing the day with the 171 yards on 19 carries for 9.0 yards per rush average.
EIU's defense turned up the pressure in the second half with interceptions by
Kaleb Lyons and
Ja'Wuan Nickson helping ice the game.
Cole LaCrue hit
Landers Green for an insurance touchdown for the Panthers with 8:25 left in the contest with Nickson picking off a Racers pass in the final minutes. Nickson led the EIU defense with ten tackles including two for loss.
Jacarre Fleming-Page added 81 yards on the ground as EIU churned out 267 yards on 47 carries.
Shannon passed for 257 yards for the Racers with two touchdowns and the two interceptions. Klayton Ingram was Murray State's leading tackler with ten.
