Eastern Illinois Panthers @ Eastern Kentucky Colonels
E. Illinois 24, E. Kentucky 7
RICHMOND, Ky. -- Jake Walker rushed for 119 yards and a touchdown to help Eastern Illinois beat Eastern Kentucky 24-7 Saturday.
Eastern Illinois (5-3, 4-1 Ohio Valley Conference) took the early lead on Walker's 1-yard run up the middle, but Eastern Kentucky answered with 25 seconds left in the second quarter when Matt Denham scored from 4 yards out for a 7-7 tie at halftime. Denham finished with 95 yards on 25 carries.
Eastern Illinois went on to score 17 unanswered points in the second half, while Eastern Kentucky (6-3, 4-2) failed to move the ball. Jimmy Garoppolo found Erik Lora for a 15-yard touchdown to push the final lead to 24-7 with 12:08 left in the fourth quarter.
The Panthers gained their first win on the road as the defense stifled the Colonels, sacked quarterback T.J. Pryor five times, forced an interception and held the Colonels to 3-for-18 on third down efficiency.
Game Information
Richmond, KY
2025 Standings
| OVC-Big South AssociationOVC-Big South Association | CONF | OVR |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee Tech | 8-0 | 11-2 |
| UT Martin | 6-2 | 6-6 |
| Gardner-Webb | 5-3 | 7-5 |
| Lindenwood | 5-3 | 6-6 |
| Charleston Southern | 4-4 | 5-7 |
| Southeast Missouri State | 3-5 | 4-8 |
| Western Illinois | 3-5 | 4-8 |
| Eastern Illinois | 2-6 | 3-9 |
| Tennessee State | 0-8 | 2-10 |
| United Athletic ConferenceUnited Athletic Conference | CONF | OVR |
|---|---|---|
| Abilene Christian | 7-1 | 9-5 |
| Tarleton State | 7-1 | 12-2 |
| Southern Utah | 6-2 | 7-5 |
| West Georgia | 5-3 | 8-3 |
| Austin Peay | 4-4 | 7-5 |
| Eastern Kentucky | 3-5 | 5-7 |
| Central Arkansas | 2-6 | 3-9 |
| Utah Tech | 1-7 | 2-10 |
| North Alabama | 1-7 | 2-10 |
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