Cornerback Isaiah Houi (23), safety Nick Coates (1) and defensive end Joel Barrows (6) were part of an EIU defense that held Charleston Southern to 210 total yards. (Photo by EIUPanthers.com)
By Barry Bottino
CHARLESTON, Ill. – Chaotic. Sloppy. Interesting. Ugly.
Those are four of the ways Eastern Illinois players described Saturday’s 16-13 overtime victory against Charleston Southern at O’Brien Field.
“I would just call it the EIU way,” senior defensive tackle Tre’jon Lewis said. “We’re always in close games. Today, we just figured out a way to win it.”
Eastern (3-8 overall, 2-5 Big South-Ohio Valley Conference Football Association) needed a second-chance field goal in overtime – thanks to a unique penalty – just enough offense and a defense that responded to multiple challenges.
Junior Julian Patino’s 18-yard field goal on Eastern’s lone overtime possession clinched the Senior Day win, but it wasn’t easy.
Four plays earlier, Patino lined up for a 33-yard potential game winner, but the snap sailed over holder Jacob Horvath’s head, which set up a foot race with CSU defensive back Ja’Kobe North.
“That’s probably the fastest I’ve had to run all season,” said Patino, who tried to ensure North didn’t scoop the ball up and score. Instead, North kicked the ball forward, drawing three flags, before picking up the loose football.
“That was a first for me in my six years of college football,” Lewis said.
The penalty on North gave EIU a first down at the Charleston Southern 13. After three running plays advanced the ball at the 1-yard line, Patino put the game away.
“We wouldn’t have it any other way with this group,” Eastern head coach Chris Wilkerson said. “It certainly wasn’t pretty.”
The Panthers’ offense gave up seven sacks, went 3-for-16 on third down and managed only 3.5 yards per play. In the second half and overtime, EIU gained just 95 total yards.
“We couldn’t really get anything going,” Eastern quarterback Pierce Holley said. “We kept getting pinned back and couldn’t get out of deep in our own territory.”
With the Panthers leading 7-6 late in the second quarter, Eastern defensive lineman Cody Silzer blocked a punt by Charleston Southern (1-10, 0-8). Three plays later, tight end Alex Herrera caught an 18-yard Holley throw in the corner of the end zone for his second touchdown catch of the season, giving Eastern a 13-6 lead.
The Buccaneers tied the game with 4 minutes, 52 seconds left in the fourth quarter on Jamil Bishop’s 15-yard scoring run, setting up overtime.
Despite the scoring play, the second half and overtime belonged to the EIU defense. Eight of CSU’s 32 offensive plays in the second half and overtime went for no gain or negative yardage.
“Our defense stepped up in a monumental fashion with their backs to the wall so many times on a short field,” Wilkerson said.
Four of CSU’s five drives in the fourth quarter and overtime started at the EIU 42 or better.
“Our guys tackled,” Wilkerson said. “That was the biggest thing. The guys flew around. The essence of defense is tackling and pursuit, and we did that well.”
The Panthers had seven tackles for loss and three sacks on the day.
Holley finished 17-for-23 for 168 yards – breaking his streak of six consecutive 300-yard passing games – threw two interceptions and was sacked seven times.
EIU running back M.J. Flowers rushed for a game high 72 yards and a touchdown on 24 carries.
Game changers
1:03, 2nd quarter: Redshirt freshman Cody Silzer blocked a CSU punt, which was recovered by safety Makhi Wilson. Three plays later, Herrera caught an 18-yard TD to put Eastern ahead, 13-6.
Overtime, 1st possession: LB Anthony Shockey and S Kaelin Drakeford teamed up to stop CSU running back Autavius Ison on a fourth-and-1 play, giving EIU the ball.
Overtime, 2nd possession: After an errant snap on a previous field goal attempt, Patino connected from 18 yards on his second chance in overtime to win the game.
What it means
Eastern won its Senior Day game and collected its second win in the past three weeks after a 1-7 start.
Prime Time Panthers
Prairie State Pigskin chooses the top three Eastern Illinois players in the game:
Patino, K: In his final career home game, the kicker won the game with an 18-yard field goal in overtime.
Herrera, TE: The junior caught his second touchdown of the season and had four receptions for 48 yards.
Joel Barrows, LB: The senior had six tackles, two tackles for loss and one of EIU’s three sacks on the day.
What’s next?
Eastern Illinois finishes the 2024 season Nov. 23 with a road trip to Big South-OVC member Tennessee Tech. Kickoff is noon.
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.
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