Kevin Glenn came off the bench to throw for 196 yards and three touchdowns, including the game-winning 25-yard scoring strike to Steve Kostro in the second overtime, as Illinois State downed No. 20 Eastern Illinois, 44-41, Saturday, at Hancock Stadium.
The two teams accounted for more than 1,000 yards of total offense, but it was Illinois State, which scored two-late fourth quarter touchdowns to send the game into overtime which prevailed.
The Redbirds jumped out to a quick 14-0 first quarter lead on a 15-yard Dusty Burk to Wayne Riley touchdown pass and a 31-yard run by Willie Watts down the sideline.
EIU got on the board late in the first quarter when Tony Romo found Frank Cutolo on a nine-yard touchdown pass.
Watts added his second touchdown of the with 4:46 remaining in the first half but Eastern struck back with 35 seconds remaining with a 11-yard Romo to Kenny Alsop scoring strike to pull EIU within 21-14 at the half.
The third quarter belonged to the Panthers as they rattled off 17 unanswered points to grab a 38-24 lead. J.R. Taylors 24-yard run moved EIU to the 14-point advantage.
Glenn then came off the bench to fuel the rally. He fired a 64-yard pass to Vito Golson with 4:01 left to notch the tie.
Neither team scored in the first overtime, but Eastern got a 26-yard field goal from Bill Besenhoferr in the second OT. On the first play after the field goal, Glenn hit Kostro with the game-winner.
Glenn, Illinois States all-time leading passer was benched four games ago after getting off to a slow start and this was his first meaningful action since Oct. 7.
The Redbirds, 6-4, notched their fifth straight victory while the Panthers, 7-3, suffered their third straight loss to ISU.
