EASTERN ILLINOIS DOWNS SYCAMORES, 24-13, IN SEASON OPENER

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – Indiana State’s offense gained 398 yards of total offense, including 260 in the air, but it was Eastern Illinois who converted two critical third quarter touchdowns as the Panthers controlled the second half and defeated the Sycamores 24-13 in the season opener for both teams.

With the score tied 10-10 at the intermission, Eastern Illinois took the lead on a 40-yard scoring pass from Mike Danato to Charles Owens that capped an eight-play, 86-yard drive for a touchdown lead with 8:00 minutes left in the third quarter.

Indiana State began the ensuing drive at its own 30, and was driving down the field until Eastern Illinois’ Tristan Burge picked off a Blayne Baggett pass and took the ball back 76 yards for a score and a 24-10 advantage.

ISU’s Kyle Hooper rounded out the scoring with a 23-yard field goal with 49 seconds left in the third quarter. Hooper has now connected on each of his last 10 field goal tries dating back to last season.

With ISU trailing 24-13, the Sycamores gained the field position advantage by stopping Eastern Illinois on its first drive of the fourth quarter. But Andre Forte would fumble at the 50, giving the Panthers back the ball and the ability to control the field position battle for the remainder of the contest.

EIU punter Tom Schofield punted eight times for an average of 38.0 yards, and pinned the Sycamores inside their own 20 five times.

Eastern opened the scoring with a 17-yard touchdown by Charles Owens to Mike Donato for a 7-0 lead with 11:47 remaining in the first quarter. Hooper kicked the first of his two field goals to cut the advantage to 7-3. EIU’s Zach Yates added a field goal of his own for a 10-3 lead, before ISU tied the contest on a 34-yard touchdown pass to Matt Beste from Baggett.

Baggett was 32-of-54 on the night for 260 yards and a touchdown with three interceptions. Baggett's 32 pass completions tied an Indiana State school-record also held by Jeff Miller, who connected on 32 passes vs. Ball State in 1985. He hit Jamie Petrowski, Sam Logan and Carl Berman with seven passes each as well as Markus Naves, who recorded five receptions. Andre Forte rushed the ball 12 times for 63 yards in the contest.

Defensively, Kyle James was the leading tackler for ISU with seven total stops. James also forced a fumble on the evening. Darryl Morton and Warren English-Malone also each recorded a fumble in the game.

The Sycamores must now regroup as they prepare to face St. Francis (Ind.) at home on Sept. 10. Kickoff is set for 1:00 p.m.