With three seconds left in the fourth quarter on first and 10 at the UT Martin 23-yard line, Eastern brought out its kicking unit to try a 41-yard game-winning field goal.
Redshirt freshman kicker Drew Schiller missed the attempt wide-right, which sent the game to overtime tied 20-20.
When UT Martin got its possession of the football starting at Eastern’s 25-yard line, they scored in six plays with the touchdown being a six-yard pass over the middle to redshirt senior wide receiver Bryce Bailey
However, when Eastern got possession of the football, redshirt sophomore Cole LaCrue passed to redshirt junior running back Charles Kellom for one yard. LaCrue’s second play was incomplete to CJ Nelson.
On third and nine LaCrue passed left to redshirt junior Landers Green for eight yards.
Needing to convert on fourth and one, LaCrue took a few steps back, waited for a few seconds before pulling the ball down to try a run. However, linebacker Keyshawn Johnson slammed LaCrue to the ground, sealing a 27-20 overtime win for UT Martin Saturday afternoon at O’Brien Field.
The Skyhawks (4-5, 4-1) rushed the field in celebration of a come-from-behind victory.
Earlier in the game, the Eastern (3-6, 2-4) offense found rhythm through the air. Green hauled in a 26-yard touchdown, a play the team has been pretty confident about.
“We practiced it all week, so I was pretty confident,” Green said. “The quarterback was confident too. Once we lined up, read the defense, I just ran full speed, saw the ball come up, and made a play like I was supposed to.”
The Panther’s offense continues to show improvement in timing and execution, something Green said comes from daily preparation.
Green ended the game with four receptions for 77 yards and one touchdown.
Graduate wide receiver Cooper Willman also scored for the Panthers during the second quarter with a four-yard pass from LaCrue.
With 5:50 to go in the third quarter on first and 10 at the UT Martin 13-yard line, CJ Nelson ran across the middle of the field and broke the first tackle then made two defenders miss with a right spin move and broke two more tackles for a touchdown.
Nelson’s touchdown capped off a stretch where the Panther’s offense showed its ability to make plays and move the ball effectively.
“We’re building confidence every day in practice, catching everything and making the right reads depending on what the defense shows,” Green said. “Even with the touchdown, we just need to stay focused and confident and keep working.”
On the defensive side of the ball, sophomore defensive back Isaiah Houi came up with a crucial fourth down stop at the one-yard line during the fourth quarter with 5:54 left.
“We were man-to-man, and my first thought was just to make sure my guy didn’t get the ball,” Houi said. “Then I saw the quarterback scrambling, so I just reacted and made a play. Moments like that are all about effort and how bad you want it.”
Despite UT Martin finding success on a few long possessions, Eastern’s defense continued to show toughness when backed up near its own goal line. Houi said that resilience in the red zone has been a strength for the defense.
“We’ve been solid in there. We had a couple long drives that ended in just three points, so we’re improving at staying locked in and fighting on every snap,” Houi said.
That defensive effort was reflected on the stat sheet, as the Panthers recorded multiple tackles for loss and a crucial sack late in the second half to slow down UT Martin’s offense.
Junior linebacker Ja’Wuan Nickson and senior linebacker Tylan Foster combined for 14 tackles, while junior defensive lineman Samuel Robles came up with a key sack that helped stall a Skyhawks drive.
Eastern’s physicality up front and timely stops kept the game within reach heading into the final minutes.
However, the Skyhawks were still able to tie the game late after taking over in plus territory, and they scored in the final minute
Head coach Chris Wilkerson said the loss wasn’t due to effort, but to missed opportunities in crucial moments. He praised his team’s toughness and fight, noting that Eastern continues to compete at a high level even in adversity.
“The guys continued to play hard and tough, that’s something I’ve never questioned with this group,” Wilkerson said.
Still, Wilkerson said the Panthers must capitalize when they reach the red zone, to convert drives into touchdowns, an area that proved to be the difference in Saturday’s 27–20 loss.
Even in defeat, Wilkerson said the team’s identity hasn’t wavered. With three games left, he wants the Panthers to lean on their chemistry, toughness, and trust in one another.
“What this group has been about is togetherness, ‘we, not me,’” Wilkerson said. “We’re going to finish together. We’ve got three games left, and we’re going to keep fighting and finish what we started.”
The Panthers will look to bounce back and defend their home field next weekend when they host Tennessee Tech in another OVC matchup.
Payton Liggins can be reached at 581-2812 or at paliggins@eiu.edu.
