Panthers Beat Tennessee Tech, 52-38

COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – On an offensive night, Eastern Illinois defense got a big play when it was needed as the Panthers beat Tennessee Tech, 52-38, on Saturday night at Tucker Stadium.

Leading 38-24, TTU was driving when Josh Price forced a fumble at midfield that was recovered by BJ Ojo.  The Panthers eventually closed out the game on touchdown runs by Isaiah Johnson of 46 yards and Jamal Scott from 21 yards despite two late scoring drives by TTU.

EIU improved to 1-4 overall, 1-1 in the OVC.  Tennessee Tech fell to 0-5, 0-2 in the OVC.

Tennessee Tech drove the length of the field on the opening drive as the Golden Eagles jumped on top 7-0 with a Bailey Fisher 14-yard touchdown pass to Josh Cunningham.

Eastern Illinois answered immediately on its first drive as Woodbery connected with James Sheehan on a 14-yard touchdown, one of three first half touchdown passes for Woodbery.  The junior college transfer was 16-of-26 for 182 yards in the opening half.  He would finish the game 32-of-49 with 339 yards and five touchdown passes.  He was the first EIU quarterback with five touchdown passes in a game since Jimmy Garoppolo in November of 2013.

On the next drive EIU’s defense stiffened limiting TTU to a 23-yard field goal by Nick Madonia.

Woodbery hit Aaron Gooch on the opening drive of the second quarter on a 37-yard strike and put the Panthers up 21-10 with 8:29 to play in the half with a 8-yard pass to Alexander Hollins.  It was the eighth touchdown reception of the season for Hollins who entered the game as the top touchdown receiver in the FCS.

Hollins finished the day with nine catches for 101 yards and two touchdowns.  It was his eighth career 100-yard receiving game and fourth of the season.

After allowing ten points in the first quarter EIU’s defense clamped down in the second quarter.  Levi Watson had back-to-back sacks to stuff out one TTU drive.  EIU held Tech’s offense to just 50 yards in the second quarter.   Javon Turner would lead the EIU defense with nine tackles.  Dytarious Johnson had an interception as the Panthers had two turnovers gained in the game.   

Josh Poplar had 20 tackles to lead the Golden Eagles.  Fisher would pass for 383 yards and four touchdowns for TTU.  He passed for 243 yards in the fourth quarter.  TTU would score the final 14 points of the game with the final score coming after recovering an onside kick.  Fisher hit Jeremiah Edwards for back-to-back touchdown receptions in the final 2:23 of the contest.

The Panthers offense added on in the second half with second touchdown receptions by both Sheehan and Hollins.  EIU finished with 599 yards of total offense. Johnson rushed for 161 yards while Scott had 85 on the ground.  Sheehan had seven catches for 79 yards.