Panther rewind: Eastern achieves first 8-win season since 2013, awaits FCS playoff possibilities

DeAirious Smith (right) celebrates his second-quarter touchdown in Eastern’s 28-14 victory against Robert Morris. (Photo by ESPN Plus)

By Barry Bottino

A win, now a wait.

That’s the scenario for Eastern Illinois, which won its eighth game in a season for the first time since 2013, beating Robert Morris, 28-14, on Saturday

The Panthers (8-3 overall, 4-2 Big South-OVC Association) put themselves in the postseason conversation for the FCS playoff committee, which reveals the 24-team bracket at 11:30 a.m. Nov. 19 on ESPNU.

“Guys continue to step up and that’s been the theme all year,” second-year EIU head coach Chris Wilkerson said. “I’m really happy for the seniors, and now we just have to wait and see.”

Eastern finished in third place in the conference standings, but Gardner-Webb (7-4, 5-1) secured the league’s automatic postseason bid Saturday by beating Charleston Southern, 34-10. Gardner-Webb owns a head-to-head victory over UT Martin (8-3, 5-1).

Quarterback Pierce Holley threw three first-half touchdowns Saturday, including a 14-yard connection with wide receiver Justin Thomas with 11 seconds remaining before halftime for a 21-7 lead. Eli Mirza and DeAirious Smith also caught TD passes.

Running back MJ Flowers, who has carried the ball 59 times in the past two weeks, plowed through the Robert Morris defense for 179 yards, including a 38-yard touchdown run midway through the fourth quarter to provide Eastern with a 28-7 lead.

EIU’s offense piled up 26 first downs and outgained Robert Morris, 416-230.

Despite several special teams miscues, including a Robert Morris blocked punt, Eastern did not turn the ball over on offense.

The Panthers’ defense allowed RMU only 11 first downs and held the Colonials to 4-for-14 on third downs.

“We talked about emptying the tank, and they did that,” Wilkerson said. “I couldn’t be more proud of the players and coaches. Defensively, our guys continued to do what they do, which is line up, get off blocks and tackle.”

Game changers

6:18, 2nd quarter: Holley evaded the rush and found Smith at the 5-yard line. Smith evaded two defenders and scored to give EIU a 14-7 lead.

7:27, 4th quarter: Flowers got loose for a 38-yard touchdown run to complete a decisive 88-yard TD drive.

5:13, 4th quarter: Smith recovered a loose ball on a kickoff that was nearly pounced on by a Robert Morris player.

What it means

EIU won eight games in a season for the first time since 2013 and quadrupled its win total from last season.

Prime Time Panthers

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

M.J. Flowers, RB: The redshirt freshman rushed the ball 31 times for 179 yards and a touchdown while helping extend multiple drives.

Pierce Holley, QB: Eastern’s QB had a big first half, throwing touchdowns to three different players. On the day, he completed 23 of 33 passes.

Drake Van Hyfte, DL: The sophomore had three sacks, including two in the fourth quarter. His fourth-down sack with 2:05 remaining in the game secured the win.

What’s next?

If the Panthers do not make the FCS playoffs, they open the 2024 season with an Aug. 24 game up the road in Champaign against Illinois.

Barry Bottino is a co-founder of Prairie State Pigskin and a 19-year veteran of three Illinois newspapers. He has covered college athletics since 1995.

Find us on social media!

Twitter: https://twitter.com/PSPigskin 

Facebook: Prairie State Pigskin 

Instagram: Prairiestatepigskin