Inclement weather conditions made yardage hard to come by in Saturday’s Eastern Illinois game at Gardner-Webb in Boiling Springs, N.C. (Photo by GWSports.com)
By Dan Verdun
A non-conference schedule does not a season make.
Or perhaps it does.
After stumbling to a 1-4 record through what MasseyRatings.com dubbed the 10th-toughest schedule in FCS to date, Eastern Illinois rebounded in its Saturday Ohio Valley Conference opener.
The Panthers slipped and slid past Gardner-Webb, 21-7, in atmospheric conditions best suited for a Weather Channel documentary.
The game – played in Boiling Springs, N.C. – was marred by heavy rain, a remnant from Hurricane Isaias, which was passing through the Southeast.
In many ways, those conditions mirrored the Panthers’ non-conference schedule. EIU opened the season with a win at Murray State, a former OVC foe now playing in the Missouri Valley Football Conference.
Next came a 59-7 loss at Big Ten Minnesota. That defeat began the four-game skid, three against MVFC opponents – two of which were ranked in the FCS Top 5.
“We’re going to play the hand we’re dealt,” Wilkerson said of the early-season schedule. “I was really proud of the guys’ effort during ‘Season 1’ and now this is the start of ‘Season 2.’
“I’m just excited for the players to maintain control of their own destiny.”
That destiny began with Saturday’s first OVC game and what Wilkerson and his staff have been preaching is a chance to reset the season.
Water-logged ‘n wet
How bad were the weather conditions at Gardner-Webb?
After getting a first down on its first possession of the contest, EIU didn’t move the chains again until the game clock read under 6 minutes remaining in the game.
That second first down proved to be one of the most important of the day. With the game tied, 7-7, the Eastern offense was spinning its wheels trying to run against the stacked G-W defense.
In came the call from offensive coordinator Kyle Derickson. It was just the fifth Panther pass of the game, but it became the most important.
Quarterback Cole LaCrue delivered what Wilkerson termed “a massive completion” to receiver Devin Whitlock for a 16-yard gain.
“The balls were so water-logged and heavy that even on that completion, Cole said it felt like a shot put. He just had to push it out there as far as he could,” Wilkerson said. “Devin was able to catch the football and gain the first down. That loosened up the (defensive) box.”
Prior to that completion, the Panthers had produced just 61 yards of total offense.
The pass play became a spark to light the fire that even the steady rain couldn’t douse. Running back Charles Kellom followed with five runs that gained 61 yards and set up a 4-yard touchdown dash by LaCrue.
“We’d love to be more balanced, but the conditions just made it very tough,” Wilkerson said.
A six-pack of turnovers
Eastern’s defense and special teams did more than just play their parts – holding Gardner-Webb to a single touchdown and gaining six turnovers.
“They did a really good job tackling. We talked about ball disruption all week and they did a great job taking the football away,” Wilkerson said.
Linebacker Lonnie Burt led EIU with 10 tackles, seven of which were solo. The Portland State transfer also broke up a pass.
Defensive lineman Aidan Archibald was a force with five tackles, two for loss. He put the game away with a strip sack that coerced the final G-W fumble.
EIU’s special teams also contributed. Redshirt freshman Davian Humphrey forced a first-half fumble and recovered a botched G-W snap on another punt, setting up the first EIU touchdown.
Punter Cade Cox punted 11 times for a 43.7 average. Two of his kicks were over 50 yards. Kicker Drew Schiller made all three PATs. Alex Stoyanovich averaged 54.5 yards per kickoff.
“Tough conditions,” Wilkerson said. “We did a good job snapping and holding and kicking. On returns, just trying to feel the football was a challenge.”
Gardner-Webb fumbled seven times, losing five to the Panthers. Eastern fumbled once, but maintained possession with a recovery.
The EIU victory – like the weather – was far from perfect.
“Early in the game we had some penalties and we’d get ourselves in some tough situations to overcome from a drive standpoint,” Wilkerson said. “Once we were able to stay out of those tougher down distances, our offensive line did a really good job.”
Coming home
After spending five of the first six weeks on the road, the Panthers will close their regular season playing four of their remaining six games back home in Charleston.
First up: EIU will host Lindenwood at 2 p.m. Oct. 17.
A week later, Eastern entertains Southeast Missouri for the 105th Homecoming in school history.
“I’m excited about having a chance to come home and play at O’Brien Field,” Wilkerson said. “We’ve got to keep improving and focusing on one play at a time.”
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.
Find us on social media!
Twitter: https://twitter.com/PSPigskin
Facebook: Prairie State Pigskin
Instagram: Prairiestatepigskin
Blue Sky: PSPigskin
Leave a Reply