TSU rallies with 13 points in fourth quarter to edge E. Illinois

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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TSU inches closer to conference title

Heffner throws 4 TDs, runs for another in win

Photo Gallery: TSU vs. Eastern Illinois

Antonio Heffner is still hurting, but the Tennessee State quarterback inflicted plenty of pain Saturday on Eastern Illinois at LP Field. After missing last week's game with a rib injury, Heffner hobbled back onto the field and led the Football Championship Subdivision No. 22 Tigers to a 45-24 win. Heffner completed only seven passes, but four were touchdowns and he ran for another, helping TSU (8-2, 5-1 Ohio Valley Conference) finish with an undefeated home record for the first time since 1999 and stay on course to win the OVC title.

It could have been Heffner's final game at LP Field depending on whether the Tigers secure a playoff berth and whether the game is played at home. But if it was his last game, he was determined to go out in a big way no matter how badly he was hurting. "I am still in a little bit of pain but it was better this week than last week," Heffner said. "I came out from the first play in a pretty good groove because this was possibly my last game at LP Field. Knowing that, and with it being Senior Day, you just want to go out and play your best."

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Attendance: 6393 (9.3%) at LP Field, Nashville, Tennessee (Capacity: 68,800).

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