 Starting ISU quarterback Jared Barnett finished 7 for 18 for 133
yards and one touchdown, with three interceptions, before being
taken out late in the first half in favor of backup Blake Winkler
due to an injury. Winkler proceeded to go 8 for 11 for 144 yards,
including two touchdowns and no interceptions in his ISU debut. He
connected with Cameron Meredith for both touchdowns, and Meredith
led ISU's receivers with five catches for 76 yards.Meanwhile, EIU
quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo set Eastern's school record for
single-game touchdowns with seven. He finished 26 for 41 for 480
yards and no interceptions.
Defensively, Mike Banks earned a career-high nine tackles,
including eight unassisted. Matt Goldsmith also matched a career
best with seven unassisted stops, including eight total tackles.
All-American Colton Underwood also added seven stops, a sack and two
tackles for loss to go along with a forced fumble, pass breakup and
blocked extra-point attempt.
In a first quarter that saw ISU and EIU combine for 34 points,
the Redbirds found the end zone first, scoring two minutes and 15
seconds into the game on a 22-yard pass from Barnett to freshman
Anthony Warrum. After Nick Aussieker's PAT cleared the uprights,
Illinois State jumped out to a 7-0 lead. However, Eastern Illinois
responded with 27-unanswered points in the opening period, all
through the air. Garoppolo first connected with Adam Drake for a
23-yard touchdown at the 11:24 mark, but EIU had to settle for six
points after Cameron Berra's PAT was blocked by Underwood.
Eastern Illinois also scored the next three touchdowns, first on
a 6-yard pass from Garoppolo to Andre Hodge, followed by a 63-yard
score to Erik Lora. Then, with just four seconds left in the first
quarter, the Panthers added to their lead on an 86-yard pass from
Garoppolo to Keiondre Gober, and Berra nailed three straight PATs to
help EIU take a 27-7 lead into the second quarter.
Illinois State stopped the Eastern Illinois scoring streak with a
30-yard field goal by Aussieker to cut Illinois State's deficit to
27-10 at the 8:52 mark, following a drive that included a 41-yard
pass from Barnett to Chick Chatham. But, EIU answered again with
back-to-back touchdowns, this time with a 30-yard pass from
Garoppolo to Drake and a 13-yard completion to Lora, plus two PATs,
to increase Eastern's lead to 41-10 with 4:49 left in the half.
[to top of second column] |
The Panthers threatened again late in the quarter, but
Illinois State's defense stepped up, with Underwood forcing
Garoppolo to fumble and Brandon Prate recovering on ISU's
17-yard line. However, the Redbirds turned the ball over two
plays later as Barnett's pass was intercepted by D.J. Bland, and
EIU later capitalized with a 38-yard field goal by Berra as the
first-half clock ran out, giving the Panthers a 44-10 halftime
advantage.
Illinois State received the ball to start the second half, with
Winkler in for the injured starter Barnett. ISU converted on two
fourth-down situations during the opening drive, including on
fourth-and-goal at the EIU 5-yard line. Winkler connected with
Meredith in the corner of the end zone for the touchdown, a career
first for both players involved, and Aussieker converted the PAT,
making the score 44-17. Eastern Illinois again answered, as Shepard
Little broke free for a 73-yard touchdown run to increase EIU's lead
to 50-17 after the ensuing PAT missed wide. The Panthers added to
their advantage on a 7-yard pass from Garoppolo to Lora and a PAT,
making it 57-17.
Winkler later threw his second touchdown, passing again to
Meredith for a 5-yard reception, and Aussieker's kick was good,
making the final score 57-24.
After starting the season with two straight road games, the
Redbirds open the newly renovated Hancock Stadium on Saturday
against Abilene Christian. Kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m., with
tickets available on
GoRedbirds.com and by calling 309- 438-8000.
___
ISU-EIU
statistics (PDF)
[Text from
news release received from
Illinois State University] |
