Wide receiver C.J. Nelson caught a touchdown pass for the Panthers in their 27-20 overtime loss to UT Martin in Charleston on Saturday. (Photo by EIUPanthers.com)
By Barry Bottino
Eastern Illinois trailed only twice Saturday against UT Martin. The last time, however, put the Skyhawks up 27-20 in the first overtime, a lead they held, sending EIU to its fourth consecutive loss.
“Tough one. Brutal. Makes you physically ill to not finish with one more point than your opponent,” Eastern head coach Chris Wilkerson said. “We had our chances, but we just didn’t do enough.”
Eastern trailed 3-0 in the first quarter, then responded by taking the lead in the second, third and fourth quarters in a game that also featured three ties.
The loss sent EIU to a 3-6 overall record and 2-4 in the OVC/Big South Football Association. Martin improved to 4-5, 4-1.
After Martin quarterback Jase Bauer connected on a 6-yard TD pass with under a minute to go in the fourth quarter, tying the game at 20-20, Eastern drove 52 yards but kicker Drew Schiller’s 41-yard field-goal attempt with 2 seconds remaining was wide right.
Bauer threw another 6-yard scoring pass on the first drive of overtime. On its lone possession, EIU faced a fourth-and 1 at the Martin 16. Quarterback Cole LaCrue’s designed run was stuffed by Martin defensive end Keyshawn Johnson for a 5-yard loss to end the game.
LaCrue had his best day of the season passing the ball, finishing 14-for-18 for 140 yards, including touchdowns to wide receivers Cooper Willman and C.J. Nelson.
Eastern QB Connor Wolf’s 25-yard scoring pass to Landers Green early in the fourth quarter put the Panthers ahead, 20-13.
Schiller also missed a PAT in the second quarter.
Martin used its run game to power the offense, outgaining Eastern, 225-54, on the ground. The Skyhawks finished 10-for-16 on third downs, extending drives multiple times against the EIU defense.
Game changers
0:03, 4th quarter: Schiller’s 41-yard potential game-winning field goal went wide right, sending the game to OT.
UTM possession, 3rd down, 1st OT: Bauer threw a 6-yard TD pass to give Martin its first lead since 3-0 in the first quarter.
EIU possession: 4th down, 1st OT: On a fourth-and-1, LaCrue was sacked to end the game.
Prime Time Panthers
Prairie State Pigskin chooses the top three Eastern Illinois players in Saturday’s game:
LaCrue, QB: The Wisconsin transfer had his most effective day throwing the football, going 14-for-18 with two TDs. He also led EIU with 42 yards rushing.
Green, WR: With 77 yards, he led all receivers in the game. One of his four receptions was a TD.
Tylan Foster, LB: The senior tied for a game-high 14 tackles, including 11 solo stops.
What it means
The Panthers lost their fourth consecutive game and face the OVC-Big South’s best team next weekend.
What’s next
The Panthers play their final home game at noon Nov. 8 against No. 8 Tennessee Tech (9-0, 6-0). Kickoff is scheduled for noon. The Golden Eagles have a 14-game winning streak.
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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