CHARLESTON, Illinois -- Tennessee State scored 13 points in the fourth quarter, and Trabis Ward scored the game-winner with 1:49 left as the Tigers edged Eastern Illinois 18-17 on Saturday. Ward posted a career-high 142 yards rushing and also scored a touchdown early in the fourth quarter.
Eastern Illinois (2-8, 1-7 OVC) made it to midfield, but a fourth-and-5 pass bounced off the hands of receiver Von Wise. The Tigers (4-5, 3-3) stopped all five of the Panthers’ fourth-down plays in the game.
“Our offense grinded out a huge score, and our defense had a big stop on fourth down,” TSU Coach Rod Reed said. “I am extremely proud of these kids as they showed a lot of character.”
TSU put together a 15-play drive to make it a 17-12 game with 14:28 left on Ward’s 3-yard run. Ward had runs of 27 and 4 yards to start the winning touchdown drive, then quarterback Mike German lobbed a 29-yard pass to Billy Davis to move the ball to the EIU 17.
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Spoo Legacy Game Spoiled By TSU, 18-17
CHARLESTON, ILL. - The story book ending Eastern Illinois had hoped to send long time head coach Bob Spoo out with on Saturday afternoon was spoiled as the Panthers fell one point short in an 18-17 loss to Tennessee State.
Spoo coached his final game at O'Brien Field with more than 100 former players on hand to pay tribute to the Panthers all time leader in football wins. Spoo is in his 25th and final season as EIU's head coach having led the program to 144 wins and nine FCS playoff appearances. EIU fell to 2-8 on the year, 1-7 in the OVC. The Panthers will play the final game of Spoo's long career next Saturday at Southern Illinois. TSU improved to 4-5 overall, 3-3 in the OVC.
EIU held a 7-5 lead at the half as the Panthers defense had an inspired effort that included two inceptions of Tigers quarterback Mike German. Antonio Taylor and Pat Wertz both had their first career interceptions for EIU as TSU's only offensive score was a 51-yard field goal by Jamin Godfrey with six seconds left in the half.
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