CHARLESTON, Ill. - Ashton Leggett rushed for 97 yards and two touchdowns, and Evan Frierson amassed 11 tackles and one sack, but two late Eastern Illinois interceptions proved the difference, as Illinois State lost to EIU, 33-26, in the 100th meeting between the Redbirds and Panthers at O'Brien Field in Charleston, Ill., Thursday night in the Mid-America Classic.
ISU quarterback Matt Brown finished the game 23-for-35 for 240 yards, while EIU quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo was 25-for-34 for 304 yards and three touchdowns. Lorence Ricks led the Panther offense with 114 yards receiving, including one touchdown to help Eastern claim the Mid-America Classic traveling trophy.
Eastern Illinois advanced the ball to ISU's 34-yard line on its opening drive, but the Redbird defense forced the Panthers to punt on fourth down, pinning Illinois State inside its two-yard line. On the Redbirds' first snap of the game, a fumbled exchange in the endzone resulted in a safety, giving EIU the early lead. Later in the first half, with Eastern Illinois once again on ISU's 34-yard line, EIU went for it on fourth down and two. The Redbirds stopped the Panthers, with Josh Howe and Frierson teaming up on the tackle.
Eastern added to its lead mid-way through the second quarter, as Cameron Berra connected on a 33-yard field goal. Illinois State got on the board with 8:44 to play because of a safety forced by Colton Underwood, which was the Redbirds' first two-point score since 2009. After taking over offensively, the Panthers put together a seven-play, 61-yard drive, resulting in the game's first touchdown. Garoppolo connected with Sam Hendricks for a 20-yard score and Berra's extra point was good, giving EIU a 12-2 advantage with 4:16 remaining before halftime.
Illinois State responded with an 11-play, 65-yard scoring drive, capped off by a six-yard carry up the middle by Leggett for ISU's first touchdown of the evening, with 46 seconds remaining before halftime. Nick Aussieker's extra point was through the uprights to cut the Redbirds' deficit to 12-9 at halftime. After ISU received the ball to start the second half, Brown completed a 24-yard pass to Younger to move the Redbirds down to the EIU eight-yard line. Still on the eight, facing third down, Brown's pass to Tyrone Walker was broken up in the end zone, forcing the Redbirds to settle for a 25-yard field goal, tying the game, 12-12, with 9:18 to play in the third quarter.
The Redbirds' next offensive drive was highlighted by a 36-yard Eric Smith rush, but the Redbirds were ultimately forced to attempt a 49-yard field goal, which Aussieker missed just low and to the right. The Panthers took over after the missed attempt, but on their first play from scrimmage, a bad snap went over Garappolo's head and was returned 30 yards by Ben Ericksen for a go-ahead touchdown. Aussieker's extra point was good, giving ISU a 19-12 advantage at the end of the third quarter.
Less than a minute into the fourth quarter, Eastern Illinois tied the game up again. Garoppolo punched the ball in from one yard out to end an eight-play, 72-yard drive, and the extra point was good. Illinois State attempted to regain the lead, but after a 26-yard pass from Brown to Marvon Sanders moved the Redbirds to near midfield, Smith fumbled, and EIU recovered on its own 43-yard line. The Panthers turned the turnover into points, with Garoppolo connecting from 42-yards with Ricks for a touchdown. A good extra point increased EIU's lead to 26-19 with 9:52 to play.
But the Redbirds quickly responded. Leggett broke free for a 27-yard run, down to the EIU five-yard line. Illinois State scored on the next play, with Smith scoring from two yards out and Aussieker making the extra point. The six-play 51-yard drive resulted in another tie game, 26-26 with 7:03 left.
EIU took the lead for good on an eight-play, 47-yard drive, ending in a 10-yard completion from Garoppolo to Chris Wright. With another good extra point, Eastern Illinois took a 33-26 lead with 2:38 remaining. As the Redbirds looked to respond, Brown's pass was intercepted by Nick Martinez, and returned to midfield.
The Illinois State defense forced the Panthers to punt with 1:55 to play, and the Redbirds proceeded to march down the field. But on first-and-ten from Eastern's 30-yard line, Martinez intercepted another pass by Brown, and EIU ran out the clock.
The Redbirds continue their non-conference schedule Saturday, Sept. 10, at home against Morehead State. Kickoff is scheduled for 6:30 p.m.
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