Eastern Illinois led for three quarters during Saturdays game, but Illinois State, led by a fourth quarter safety and touchdown, and two defensive stops, pulled away down the stretch, winning the 91st meeting between the two teams 21-14 in front of 6,318 at OBrien Stadium.
The win moved the Redbirds to 3-1, while Eastern Illinois dropped to 1-2.
The Redbird defense put pressure on Panther quarterback Andy Vincent from the get-go. After a first down run by Andre Raymond, the unit settled down as Ray Robinson picked up a sack and Mike Blough batted down a pass on third and long.
But things didnt go as well on the Redbirds first offensive series. Quarterback Mike Souza (15-of-34, 215 yards, TD, INT) rolled right on the second play from scrimmage and threw a pass intended for Kevin Kreger. However, the ball ended up in the hands of Fred Miller whos 32-yard interception return for a touchdown resulted in an early 7-0 lead for Eastern Illinois.
Illinois States next offensive series was much more successful than their last, but penalties stalled the 8-play, 38-yard drive, forcing the Redbirds to settle for a 44-yard Stephen Carroll field goal.
Eastern Illinois running back Andre Raymond (22 carries, 110 yards) set the tone on the Panthers third offensive series. The senior led a 6-play, 80-yard scoring drive, which ended with a 35-yard touchdown pass from Vincent to Ryan Voss who juggled the ball, but held on while crossing into the end zone, putting the Panthers up 14-3.
On the ensuing possession, the Redbirds caught a huge break when Troy Maskel lined up to punt on fourth and 4. The Panthers blocked the punt, recovered and scored another touchdown, but the referees ruled the Panthers off sides, giving the ball back to Illinois State.
But an offensive pass interference call on a scoring strike to Joe Walkins (2 catches, 34 yards) from Souza negated a Redbird touchdown. A holding penalty put the Redbirds back even further. A Souza completion to Avery Massengale (2 catches, 43 yards) set up a 47-yard field goal by Carroll, making the score 14-6 late in the first quarter.
Freshman LaShawn Bullock (8 carries, 48 yards) made his Redbird debut at tailback in the second quarter. Along with Demetrus Johnson (20 carries, 159 yards, TD), Bullock helped Illinois State drive down to the Panther 26 where Carroll lined up for a 43-yard field goal. However, holder Brian Busser rolled right on a fake punt and lofted the ball in the air to Mike Larson. The ball never got to Larson however, and the score remained 14-6.
Joe Walkins pulled down the first two receptions of his Redbird career on the teams next series, setting up an Avery Massengale touchdown catch from Souza. The two-point conversion failed, keeping the score 14-12 Eastern Illinois.
The Redbird defense stood up to the challenge again during their first appearance of the second half. Robinson tallied his second sack of the day and Sam Yeargin batted down a pass on third and 30.
Andrew Papoccia stepped up to the challenge late in the third quarter, sacking Vincent on big third and 4 stop.
However, the offense couldnt capitalize as Carroll missed a 42-yard field goal. The Birds came close to scoring a touchdown before the Carroll miss, but Souza under-threw Laurent Robinson in the end zone.
After a Redbird defensive stop, ISU scored when Eastern Illinois lined up to punt at its own 7. Cameron Siskowic broke through the line and blocked the punt. The ball rolled out of bounce in the end zone for a Redbird safety, tying the score at 14 apiece. The safety was the Redbirds first since the 2000 season.
The Birds took the lead for the first time with 8:25 left in the game. Three plays into Illinois States drive after the safety, Demetrus Johnson dashed 49 yards for a Redbird touchdown and a 21-14 lead.
Former Eastern Illinois defensive back Antwan Oliver made a major defensive stop when he intercepted a Vincent pass at the ISU 27, stalling the ensuing Panther drive with 4:27 left.
On the Panthers next possession, Yeargin was called for pass interference on fourth down, keeping the drive alive. But Yeargin batted down a Vincent pass on Eastern Illinoiss next fourth down play, preserving the victory.
