Strong safety Kaelin Drakeford (22) cradles an interception while teammate Kaleb Lyons (20) looks on during Saturday’s game against Illinois State. The redshirt junior also forced a fumble. (Photo by Sandy King, EIUPanthers.com)
By Dan Verdun
NORMAL – A promising opening drive that resulted in a red zone fumble may have foreshadowed what was to come for Eastern Illinois.
After putting together a first possession that covered 72 yards in 11 plays and reached the Illinois State 1-yard line, EIU quarterback Pierce Holley fumbled on the 12th snap from center Drew Wilder.
ISU’s Darius Walker recovered at the 2-yard line and the Redbirds took over possession.
“I think it set the tone for the rest of the game,” Illinois State head coach Brock Spack said.
The play proven to be a harbinger of things to follow.
“We took the right down the field and turned it over on the goal line,” third-year head coach Chris Wilkerson said. “You’re not going to win very many games with three turnovers, not finishing drives and inopportune penalties.”
ISU then marched 98 yards in 12 plays of its own to take a 7-0 lead.
The Redbirds (3-1) scored on its first three drives for a 21-0 lead and romped to a 31-7 win over the rival Panthers (1-3).
“(I’m) disappointed to say the least,” Wilkerson said. “We obviously weren’t ready to play, and that’s my responsibility.”
Illinois State, ranked No. 17 in the most recent Stats Perform FCS poll, also reclaimed the Mid-America Classic traveling trophy. EIU won last year’s game, 14-13, in Charleston.
Saturday night’s game – the 112th meeting between the two schools separated by 105 miles – marked the eighth ISU victory in the last 11 in the rivalry.
“We struggled on the defensive front to slow down their running attack,” Wilkerson said.
Illinois State rushed for 253 yards, 150 of those by senior Wenkers Wright.
Eastern was also hurt by “explosive chunk plays” for big yardage, Wilkerson added.
“We had missed execution and missed tackling,” he said.
Illinois State ran 80 plays compared to just 49 for Eastern.
“The defense got worn down (in the second half),” Wilkerson said.
Game changers
7:32, 2nd quarter: Jacob Horvath’s 66-yard punt was downed at the ISU 2-yard line. That ultimately gave EIU great starting field position at the ISU 49 and resulted in a touchdown.
1:56, 2nd quarter: M.J. Flowers scored on a 4-yard touchdown burst. Drew Schiller tacked on the PAT, making the halftime score, 21-7.
2:03, 3rd quarter: Safety Kaelin Drakeford’s hit jarred the ball loose from ISU tight end Mitch Bartol, who fumbled into the end zone. Defensive back Moses Alexander recovered for a touchback.
Prime Time Panthers
Prairie State Pigskin chooses the the top three Eastern Illinois players in the game:
M.J. Flowers, RB: The Cincinnati native rushed for 117 yards on 19 carries with a touchdown.
Anthony Shockey, LB: The senior led the Panthers with 13 tackles, five of which were solo. He also had a half tackle for loss.
Jacob Horvath, P: The sophomore from Australia averaged 51.2 yards per punt with three boots over 50 yards. He uncorked a 66-yarder to pin ISU at its 2-yard line.
What it means
EIU will go “back to the drawing board,” Wilkerson said as the team prepares for its league schedule.
What’s next?
The Panthers host Lindenwood in the Big South-Ohio Valley Conference Association opener. EIU will also induct its 2024 hall of fame class, which includes the 1978 Division-II national championship team. Kickoff is at 2 p.m.
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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