Eastern Illinois 24-14 Dayton (Aug 28, 2025) Recreation Recap

CHARLESTON, Ill. — — Quarterback Cole LaCrue rushed for 193 yards with three touchdowns, main Eastern Illinois to a 24-14 victory over Dayton on Thursday night time within the season opener for each groups.

LaCrue added 179 yards passing, going 9-for-17, and the Panthers completed with 465 complete yards. Charles Kellom added 133 yards and Eastern Illinois had a complete of 336 yards on the bottom on 62 makes an attempt.

After being held to a few factors within the first half, Eastern Illinois rolled up 275 yards and 21 factors within the second half. On protection, the Panthers allowed 9 first downs and held Dayton to 292 yards of complete offense, 115 of which got here on the Flyers’ two lengthy touchdowns.

LaCrue’s 11-yard landing run gave the Panthers their first lead, 10-7 within the third quarter. Early within the fourth, the Panthers drove contained in the crimson zone early, however Drake’s Josh Williams recovered a fumble by Kellom on the 15-yard line.

The Panthers drove once more on their subsequent possession with LaCrue’s 47-yard move to DeAirious Smith establishing LaCrue’s 1-yard landing on the following play, giving Eastern Illinois a 17-7 lead.

Dayton scored two performs after the following kickoff when Bryce Schondelmyer linked with Michael Mussari on a 67-yard landing move.

Leading 17-14 with 9 1/2 minutes remaining, the Panthers took seven minutes off the clock with a 13-play, 75-yard drive that ended with LaCrue’s 6-yard landing run and a 24-14 lead with 2:15 left.

Schondelmyer accomplished 17 of 31 passes for 261 yards.

Schondelmyer’s 48-yard move to Gavin Lochow on the Flyers’ first possession of the sport offered the one landing of the primary half and Dayton led 7-3 at halftime.

EIU final opened the season at dwelling in 2016.

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