Panther rewind: Eastern falls in overtime as two-point conversion fails

Eli Mirza (7) caught a game-high 10 passes for 119 yards and a touchdown Saturday at O’Brien Field. (Photo by Sandy King, EIUPanthers.com)

By Dan Verdun

Saturday’s matchup of ranked Big South-Ohio Valley Conference Football Association foes came down to a gamble by Eastern Illinois head coach Chris Wilkerson and his staff.

After scoring a touchdown in overtime to pull within an extra point of sending the game to a second overtime, EIU made the decision to attempt a two-point conversion.

“We talked all week about being aggressive and playing to win,” Wilkerson explained. “I felt like our defense had been on the field a ton in the second half, and once they (UT Martin) scored we talked as a staff and decided when we score (that) we would go for two and try to win the game.”

EIU’s attempt failed when backup quarterback Jonah O’Brien’s pass fell incomplete in the end zone.

O’Brien, who was the Panthers’ starting QB for much of last season, lined up as a receiver on the left side of EIU’s formation.

On the snap, O’Brien ran right and took a handoff from quarterback Pierce Holley. O’Brien faked a pitchout and then fired a pass into the middle of the end zone.

However, UT Martin defended the play well and intended receiver Justin Bowick was unable to break into the open. UT Martin safety Carson Evans was credited with a pass breakup.

When O’Brien’s throw hit the turf, UT Martin (5-1, 2-0) secured a 28-27 win against EIU (4-2, 0-1).

Eastern’s defense held UT Martin running back Sam Franklin, the leading rusher in FCS, to 54 yards and a touchdown.

Game changers

0:00, 4th quarter: EIU kicker Stone Galloway’s potential game-winning 40-yard field goal attempt was blocked by UT Martin’s Jarid Johnson.

Overtime: Justin Thomas caught a 21-yard touchdown pass from Holley, bringing the Panthers within one point of a tie and forcing a second overtime.

Overtime: O’Brien’s incomplete pass ended the game and gave the Skyhawks the win.

What it means

Eastern’s three-game winning streak comes to an end and is the first FCS loss of the season for the Panthers.

Prime Time Panthers

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

Holley, QB: The transfer from Georgetown passed for 359 yards and four touchdowns.

Eli Mirza, WR: The junior college transfer led EIU with 10 receptions for 119 yards and a touchdown.

Bowick, WR: The sophomore had two receiving touchdowns to go along with five catches for 67 yards.

What’s next

Eastern visits Southeast Missouri Oct. 14 for a 2 p.m. kickoff.

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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