Panther rewind: EIU outlasts Northwestern State for third straight win

Eastern Illinois quarterback Pierce Holley, shown here against Illinois State earlier this season, passed for 274 yards and a touchdown. (Photo by EIUPanthers.com)

By Dan Verdun

Eastern Illinois overcame multiple mistakes and misfortune to tip Northwestern State (La.), 19-10, Saturday night. 

The win, which came on the road including a day-of-the-game flight, was the third straight for the Panthers (4-1). EIU’s lone loss came Sept. 9 at FBS Bowling Green.

Northwestern State, a member of the Southland Conference, fell to 0-4. Two of the Demons’ losses were to FBS opponents, Louisiana and Louisiana Tech.

“The guys just found at way. That’s kind of been this team’s MO,” EIU head coach Chris Wilkerson said. 

EIU prevailed despite missing three field goals, an extra point and a botched goal-line quarterback sneak. 

Senior Stone Galloway, who won last week’s game against McNeese with a 56-yard field goal, went 1-for-4 on field goal attempts.

Galloway, who has battled a groin injury all season, made good on his final attempt, a 23-yarder with eight minutes and three seconds remaining. The kick raised EIU’s lead to 19-10.

Eastern appeared on the verge on staking itself to a commanding lead when Panthers’ defensive lineman Nicholas Oliveria-Chace forced a fumble that Tyrus Harvey recovered on the Northwestern State 27.

Quarterback Pierce Holley scrambled away from pressure and found Eli Mirza for a 29-yard catch-and-run that put the ball inside the Northwestern State 1-yard line.

As the Panthers have attempted other times this season in such situations, EIU hurried to line and tried to have tight end Anthony Manaves push Holley into the end zone on a quarterback sneak.

The plan failed when Holley was stood up on the play.

“Our defensive line coach, (Chris) Gistorb, coached us all week, and said, ‘If they go quarterback sneak to swipe at the center’s hands, and it will mess with his ability to snap the ball,’” said Northwestern State’s Donovan Green on NSUDemons.com “I swiped his hands and fell on the ball to recover it.”

Green’s play turned EIU away.

“We didn’t play real well in the first half. We couldn’t finish drives,” Wilkerson said. “Sacks, turnovers and penalties for the offense in the red area.

“We missed some field goal opportunities to put us ahead a little further, but our defense kept us in the game.”

EIU defensive back Blake Ruffin said, “We came into halftime and said if they don’t score, they can’t win.”

The Panthers shut out the Demons in the second half and delivered key plays at important times.

Game changers

12:45, 3rd quarter: Justin Bowick reeled in a 44-yard pass reception from Holley between two defenders at the Northwestern State 10-yard line.

Two plays later, running back Kevin Daniels scored to put EIU in the lead, 16-10.

10:55, 4th quarter: Ruffin made a leaping interception at the Northwestern State 30-yard line and returned it six yards to the 24.

10:00, 4th quarter: On a third-and-12 at the Northwestern State 26, Nazir Sy sacked Holley for an 11-yard loss but was called for a facemask penalty which pulled the EIU quarterback’s helmet off.

What it means

EIU records its first 4-1 start since 2013, a season in which EIU won the Ohio Valley Conference championship.

Prime Time Panthers

Prairie State Pigskin chooses the top three Eastern Illinois players in the game:

Holley, QB: The Georgetown transfer completed 19-of-37 passes for 274 yards and one touchdown.

Bowick, WR: The sophomore led EIU with four catches for 130 yards and a 52-yard touchdown.

Ruffin, S: The redshirt sophomore led the Panthers with 13 tackles. His second interception of the year set up Galloway’s field goal, making the game a two-score contest.

What’s next?

The Panthers open Big South-Ohio Valley Alliance conference play by hosting UT Martin Oct. 7 at O’Brien Field.

Dan Verdun is a co-founder of Prairie State Pigskin. He has written four books: NIU Huskies Football, EIU Panthers Football, ISU Redbirds Football and SIU Salukis Football.

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