|
|
|
| INST |
| EIL |
Eastern Illinois holds off Indiana State 27-20 in home opener
CHARLESTON, Ill. (AP) Pierce Holley hit Cooper Willman from five yards out late in the third quarter, allowing Eastern Illinois Panthers to hold off Indiana State Sycamores 27-20 in the Panthers' home opener Saturday.
Moses Alexander recovered an Indiana State fumble in the end zone early in the second quarter to put the Panthers in front for good, 14-7, and Drew Schiller kicked second-half field goals from 34 and 40 yards out to hold off the Sycamores.
Elijah Owens accounted for more than 300 yards to lead Indiana State (0-2). He ran for 44 yards on 12 carries and threw for 260 yards, completing 30 of 37 passes with three touchdowns and three interceptions.
Holley completed 19 of 32 passes for a touchdown and an interception for Eastern Illinois (1-1). MJ Flowers carried 24 times for 94 yards. Terrance Gipson pulled in six passes for 100 yards, while NiJhay Burt had a pair of interceptions.
---
Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here. AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-football
Copyright 2026 STATS LLC and Associated Press. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of STATS LLC and Associated Press is strictly prohibited.
| Team Stats |  |
 |
|---|---|---|
| 1st Downs | 0 | 0 |
| Rushing | 0 | 0 |
| Passing | 0 | 0 |
| Penalty | 0 | 0 |
| 3rd Down Conv | 0-0 | 0-0 |
| 4th Down Conv | 0-0 | 0-0 |
| Total Net Yards | 0 | 0 |
| Total Plays | 0 | 0 |
| Avg Gain | 0 | 0 |
| Net Yards Rushing | 0 | 0 |
| Rush Attempts | 0 | 0 |
| Avg Rush Yards | 0 | 0 |
| Yards Passing | 0 | 0 |
| Comp. - Att. | 0-0 | 0-0 |
| Yards Per Pass | 0 | 0 |
| Penalties - Yards | 0-0 | 0-0 |
| Touchdowns | ||
| Rushing TDs | 0 | 0 |
| Passing TDs | 0 | 0 |
| Other | ||
| Turnovers | 0 | 0 |
| Fumbles - Lost | 0-0 | 0-0 |
| Int. Thrown | 0 | 0 |
| Punts - Avg | 0-0 | 0-0 |
| Return Yards | ||
| Punts - Returns | 0-0 | 0-0 |
| Kickoffs - Returns | 0-0 | 0-0 |
| Int. - Returns | 0-0 | 0-0 |
| Safeties | 0 | 0 |
|
| Passing | CP/ATT | YDS | TD | INT |
|
E. Owens
|
E. Owens | 181/263 | 1717 | 12 | 5 |
| Rushing | ATT | YDS | TD | LG |
| Receiving | TAR | REC | YDS | TD | LG |
| Defense | T-A | SACK | INT |
| Kicking | FG | LG | XP | PTS |
|
S. Lopez
|
S. Lopez | 0/1 | 0 | 2/3 | 0 |
| Punting | NO | AVG | IN20 | LG |
| Kickoff Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
| Punt Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
| Passing | CP/ATT | YDS | TD | INT |
| Rushing | ATT | YDS | TD | LG |
| Receiving | TAR | REC | YDS | TD | LG |
| Defense | T-A | SACK | INT |
| Kicking | FG | LG | XP | PTS |
| Punting | NO | AVG | IN20 | LG |
| Kickoff Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
| Punt Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
