A high-scoring defense–that’s right, defense–is keeping Eastern Illinois (5-2, 4-0) in first place in the Ohio Valley Conference.
Two weeks ago linebacker Lucius Seymour recovered a fumble and ran it 12 yards for the touchdown that started EIU’s 55-22 win over Eastern Kentucky. Safety Chad Cleveland made the score 21-0 on his 35-yard interception return.
Last week safety Tristan Burge scored on a 68-yard fumble return, and Seymour scored the winning touchdown on a 43-yard interception return as the Panthers beat Murray State 35-28.
Eastern’s big-play defense has forced 11 turnovers in the last two games, five by Eastern Kentucky and six by Murray State.
The Panthers’ offense also contributed big plays against Murray State, such as Mike Donato’s 56-yard scoring pass to Ryan Voss and Vincent Webb’s 164 yards on 25 rushes.
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Next: Saturday vs. Tenn.-Martin, 6 p.m.