Eastern Kentucky Colonels @ Eastern Illinois Panthers
E. Illinois thumps E. Kentucky in OVC opener, 42-7
CHARLESTON, Ill. -- Jimmy Garoppolo threw for 322 yards and three touchdowns as Eastern Illinois thrashed Eastern Kentucky, 42-7, in the Ohio Valley Conference opener for both schools.
Garoppolo, who completed 26 of 39 attempts, combined with Keiondre Gober on 30- and 40-yard touchdown passes in the first and third quarters, respectively, and threw a 21-yard score to Jeff LePak as the Panthers (4-1, 1-0 Ohio Valley) built a 35-0 lead at halftime. EIU was a combined 35 of 52 through the air for 407 yards and four touchdowns.
Anthony Goodman scooped up a Jared McClain fumble and returned it 70 yards for a touchdown to cap the first-half rout.
Six runners combined to gain 169 yards on the ground for the Colonels (2-3, 0-1 Ohio Valley), who avoided the shutout with a 14-play, 75-yard drive that saw Caleb Watkins score from the 3 with 3:33 left in the game.
Game Information
Charleston, IL
2025 Standings
| United Athletic ConferenceUnited Athletic Conference | CONF | OVR |
|---|---|---|
| Abilene Christian | 7-1 | 9-5 |
| Tarleton State | 7-1 | 12-2 |
| Southern Utah | 6-2 | 7-5 |
| West Georgia | 5-3 | 8-3 |
| Austin Peay | 4-4 | 7-5 |
| Eastern Kentucky | 3-5 | 5-7 |
| Central Arkansas | 2-6 | 3-9 |
| Utah Tech | 1-7 | 2-10 |
| North Alabama | 1-7 | 2-10 |
| OVC-Big South AssociationOVC-Big South Association | CONF | OVR |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee Tech | 8-0 | 11-2 |
| UT Martin | 6-2 | 6-6 |
| Gardner-Webb | 5-3 | 7-5 |
| Lindenwood | 5-3 | 6-6 |
| Charleston Southern | 4-4 | 5-7 |
| Southeast Missouri State | 3-5 | 4-8 |
| Western Illinois | 3-5 | 4-8 |
| Eastern Illinois | 2-6 | 3-9 |
| Tennessee State | 0-8 | 2-10 |
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