EIU Ends Spring Football Practice With Blue-White Game

Eastern Illinois football ended its spring practice season with a spirited Blue-White Spring Game that ended with the defense making a final stand to pick up the 34-27 win over the offense.

In the modified scoring system that allowed the defense to score points for drive stops, 3-and-outs, turnovers and touchdowns, the defensive unit was up to the task early as they jumped out to a 15-6 lead at the half.

The defense opened the game with a turnover gained on the opening play at Austin Johnson started his big day with a fumble recovery.  Johnson finished the spring game with six tackles, a sack and a fumble recovery.

Following the fumble recovery the offense was limited to a pair of 3-and-outs which gave the defense a 12-0 lead.  Harry Woodbery would drive the offense into scoring range on the fourth drive but the offense came up short on a missed field goal, one of two missed for the day.

The offense would finally crack the scoreboard as Tulane transfer Johnathan Brantley led a touchdown drive on the fifth possession of the game.  Brantley hit Nick Atoyebi for a 16-yard touchdown to give the offense its first points.  Brantley finished the day 11-for-13 for 103 yards and two touchdowns, both to Atoyebi.  Atoyebi caught seven passes for 81 yards and the two scores.

The defense would extend its lead to 17-6 in the third quarter before Woodbery led the offense to back-to-back scoring drives to take a 20-17 lead.  The second touchdown was a 67-yard pass in the flat to Darshon McCullough.  Woodbery was 17-of-27 for 198 yards and the two scores.

Brantley’s second touchdown pass to Atoyebi in the fourth quarter gave the offense momentum and a 27-23 lead.

Back-to-back sacks by Aaron “Tiger” Woods and Austin Johnson gave the defense a stop and a 3-and-out which tied the game at 27-27.  Raymond Crittenden’s interception put the defense up 33-27 setting up a final drive by the offense with 2:25 remaining.

Woodbery guided the offense into scoring range with two quick strikes to Aaron Gooch, the second good for 41 yards.  After a quick pass to Alexander Hollins put the ball inside the 15-yard line the offense had two final chances to tie or win the game.  Ryan Coleman broke up a pass at the line on the first play attempt and Antonio Crosby knocked down the final pass to give the defense a point and the win.

EIU’s defense finished with seven pass break-ups and seven sacks.  Woods had two sacks and D’Mitri George had 1.5.   Linebacker Dytarious Johnson added nine tackles and a sack.

The Panthers will open the 2018 season on Sept. 1 at Arkansas.  Head coach Kim Dameron will be entering his fifth season this fall with the Panthers coming off a 6-5 season, the third straight winning campaign under Dameron.

Season ticket renewals and sales will begin in early May.