Panthers continue to stalk title

~ Eastern Illinois remains unbeaten in conference play.

Eastern Illinois players made no bones about the fact they were embarrassed by last season's 32-14 loss to Tennessee-Martin.

"It was insulting," Eastern Illinois defensive end Kory Lothe told the Charleston Times-Courier prior to this season's rematch with the Skyhawks. "Probably my worst loss since I've been here."

The Panthers acted quickly Saturday in gaining revenge and staying on course for an Ohio Valley Conference championship.

After Eastern Illinois became just the second team in eight years to lose an OVC football game to Tennessee-Martin last season, the Panthers jumped out to a 20-0 first-quarter lead Saturday and cruised to a 26-7 home victory.

Junior tailback Vincent Webb rushed for 145 yards to lead the Panthers, who improved to 6-2 overall and 5-0 in OVC play. The Skyhawks (4-4, 2-3) played without quarterback Brady Wahlberg, who sat out with a hamstring injury.

"We were fortunate against Tennessee-Martin," Eastern Illinois coach Bob Spoo said during Tuesday's OVC coaches teleconference. "Unfortunately for them their No. 1 quarterback wasn't able to play; I'm sure that was a big factor. I have a great admiration for him.

"We did what we had to do. We did rush the ball successfully. I was hoping we would be able to do that."

The Panthers have won five straight games, helping vault them into their first national ranking since 2003. Eastern Illinois is rated No. 24 in the ESPN/USA Today poll and No. 25 by The Sports Network.

Eastern Illinois has been an opportunistic team, leading the nation in turnovers gained (32), fumbles recovered (15) and turnover margin (plus 2.13 per game).

"Right now we're doing what we have to do to get it done," Spoo said.

The Panthers don't appear to have a stumbling block before they end the regular season with an anticipated showdown at Jacksonville State on Nov. 19.

But Spoo is still concerned about this week's game at Tennessee State (2-6, 1-3).

"They always have good personnel," Spoo said. "We expect them to be fired up and ready to go. It will be another tough test for us."

Jacksonville State (5-4, 5-1) remained very much in the hunt for its third consecutive OVC title as the Gamecocks pounded visiting Tennessee Tech (2-6, 1-4) 43-17 for their fourth straight win.

Clay Green, the OVC's leading rusher with 1,102 yards, recorded his sixth straight 100-yard outing, gaining a career-high 163 yards on just 10 carries, to lead the Gamecocks.

"I think we've regained our momentum," Jacksonville State coach Jack Crowe said, referring to the Gamecocks' recent strong play.

Also Saturday, Samford (5-4, 4-2) continued its surprising season by routing visiting Tennessee State 31-11. The Bulldogs, who have won three straight, occupy fourth place in the nine-team OVC.

Saturday's other game saw Southeast Missouri State (1-7, 1-4) finally notch its first win by routing visiting Murray State (1-7, 0-5) 52-21, as the Racers continued their worst season in more than a decade.

Eastern Kentucky (4-4, 4-1), locked in a battle with Eastern Illinois and Jacksonville State for the OVC championship, had an open date.

Players of the week

Green, Jacksonville State's senior tailback, earned OVC offensive player of the week honors after his big performance against Tennessee Tech. He averaged 16.3 yards on his 10 carries and also had two pass receptions for 20 yards.

Eastern Illinois junior linebacker Clint Sellers earned the defensive award after he intercepted two passes -- both in the final five minutes -- and recorded 10 tackles during the Panthers' victory over Tennessee-Martin.

Also honored was Tennessee Tech junior punter Jon Mahan (special teams) and Southeast Missouri freshman tailback Tim Holloman (newcomer).

Mahan averaged 45.4 yards on seven punts against Jacksonville State, including a 73-yarder that tied for the fourth-longest punt in school history.

Holloman earned the newcomer award for the second straight week after rushing for 181 yards on 31 carries and scoring two touchdowns against Murray State.