Panthers Force Turnovers In 23-21 Football Win

MARTIN, Tenn. –  Eastern Illinois defense stepped up when it needed to on Saturday afternoon as the Panthers forced four turnovers during a 23-21 win over UT Martin at Graham Stadium.

Thomas Coronado put the Panthers up 23-15 with a 45-yard interception return with 10:59 to play in the game.  Dino Fanti hit Jarod Neal’s arm forcing the pass to fall right into Coronado’s arms before the senior raced for the end zone.
Fanti was a factor later in the fourth quarter as the senior finished with seven tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss and a sack.  After UTM closed to within two points on a Ladevin Fair touchdown run with 4:51 to play, Fanti tackled Neal on the two-point conversion to preserve EIU’s two point advantage.
UT Martin forced the Panthers to punt after a three-and-out but punter Mike Bernier had his biggest punt of the day pinning the Skyhawks at the 11 yard line with a 48-yard kick.   On the first play following the punt Jourdan Wickliffe picked off the fourth Neal pass of the day to give EIU the win as the Panthers improved to 6-3, 6-1 in the OVC.   UTM fell to 6-4 overall, 5-2 in the OVC.

The first half witnessed a safety by both teams as Eastern Illinois held a 16-12 halftime lead.
Jackson Redditt put the Skyhawks on the board first with a 32 yard field goal with 7:47 to play in the first quarter.  The field goal was a result of a turnover by EIU’s offense.

Following the field goal EIU scored nine straight points with Shepard Little scoring on a five-yard run and Antonie Johnson blocking a punt attempt out of the end zone for a safety.  

Leading 16-10, Bradley Dewberry stopped a UTM drive at the two-yard line as he intercepted a Neal pass, the second interception of the first half by EIU’s defense.  The Panthers would have a low snap on the second play of the ensuing drive that Jalen Whitlow batted out of the back of the end zone for a safety.
After the free kick by EIU, the Panthers defense was able to hold on downs to take the 16-12 lead to the locker room.   Whitlow rushed for 105 of his 142 yards in the first half, his third career game with more than 100 yards rushing.  The 142 yards broke his school record of rushing yards by a quarterback in a game of 137 set last season against Austin Peay.

Rod Wright put UTM up on the first play of the second quarter with Neal hitting Rod Wright on a 27-yard fade to the end zone.  The Panthers offense answered with a Devin Church rushing touchdown to lead 16-10 with 8:58 to play in the second quarter.   EIU rushed for 157 yards in the first half.
Redditt hit a 21-yard field goal with 6:53 to play to cut the Panthers lead to one point at 16-15.
Dylan Chatman added the other EIU interception as Neal was 30-of-49 for 322 yards with the four interceptions and one touchdown.   EIU’s defense held UTM to 81 yards rushing.
Anthony Goodman had a team high 13 tackles with Wickliffe adding ten.   The Panthers host Eastern Kentucky next Saturday at 1 p.m. for the Panthers senior day at O’Brien Field.   The game will be on ESPN3 as the OVC Game of the Week.
William Tanner had 103 yards receiving for UTM.  Marquis Clemons had a team high 11 tackles.

Eastern Illinois senior defensive lineman Dino Fanti was named the Ohio Valley Conference Defensive Player of the Week after playing a huge role in the Panthers 23-21 win over UT Martin.
 
Fanti made two huge plays in the fourth quarter that helped EIU win its second straight game in Martin, Tenn.  With EIU leading by one point the senior hit Skyhawks quarterback Jarod Neal forcing him to float a pass that was picked off by Thomas Coronado and returned 45 yards for a touchdown to give EIU an eight-point advantage.  After UTM closed the margin to 23-21 with 4:51 to play, Fanti tackled Neal on a two-point conversion attempt to preserve the lead and victory (as the Skyhawks only ran one more offensive play after that).  Fanti finished the game with seven tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, a sack and a forced fumble.  He ranks eighth nationally in tackles for loss per game with 17 total and 15th in forced fumbles.   Already the career leader in tackles for loss at EIU, Fanti needs two tackles for loss to tie Pete Catan for the single season school record of 19.
 
Fanti will be one of 17 seniors honored this weekend prior to the start of the Panthers game with Eastern Kentucky.  The game will be aired on ESPN3 with the winner making a strong case for an at-large selection to the 2015 FCS playoffs.  Both EIU and EKU enter at 6-4 overall.  EIU is currently 6-1 in the OVC while EKU is 5-2.   Kickoff is 1 p.m. at O’Brien Field.  For tickets call 217-581-2106 or online at www.eiupanthertickets.com
 
Quarterback Bennie Coney of Eastern Kentucky and all-purpose back Ladarius Vanlier of Tennessee Tech were the co-Offensive Players of the Week.  Southeast Missouri players Cameron Sanders and Dante Vandeven were named the Special Teams Player and Newcomer of the Week.