Eastern literally ran over Indiana State Saturday night, scoring seven rushing touchdowns en route to its 54-20 victory. The Panthers also scored one touchdown off a blocked punt. Position by position, Eastern’s dominance over Indiana State was as prominent as the score.

Quarterback

Eastern quarterback Bodie Reeder played an efficient game in his first collegiate start. Reeder completed 23-of-26 passes for 298 yards and was sacked just once. Although he did not find the end zone, Reeder led the Panthers down the field drive after drive. Reeder’s only weak moment was reminiscent of former Eastern quarterback Tony Romo as he misplayed two snaps on extra point attempts. Indiana State’s starting quarterback Reilly Murphy played only the first few series for the Sycamores before being replaced by red-shirt freshman Chuck Dowdell-who was listed as a wide receiver on the depth chart. Dowdell was more of a rushing than passing threat for Indiana State, but did connect with wide receiver Jerimy Robinson for a touchdown. Dowdell finished with just 62 yards passing and 14 yards rushing once Eastern’s defense made adjustments in the second half to stop his rushing attempts.

Edge: Eastern

Running Backs

Eastern now has a five-headed backfield monster. With preseason projected No. 1 running back Norris Smith back on the field after recovering from a knee injury, the Panthers have more running backs than they know what to do with. Fullback Chip Keys led Eastern with three touchdown runs against the Sycamores, and Travorus Bess, Ademola Adeniji and Ron Jordan all found the end zone as well. Averaging just over five yards per carry, Eastern’s backfield rushed for a combined 311 yards. Indiana State’s Bryan McCulley led the Sycamores with 94 yards rushing, but it was sophomore backup Robert Barcliff who scored Indiana State’s lone rushing touchdown.

Edge: Eastern

Wide Receivers

Eastern junior Alicus Nozinor more than doubled his receptions and receiving yards against Indiana State. Nozinor’s eight receptions for 93 yards led the Panthers in both categories. Micah Rucker also had a good game, with five receptions for 86 yards. Indiana State’s Brian Jackson led all Sycamores receivers with two catches for 23 yards. Jerimy Robinson had the most receiving yards for the Sycamores with his lone 25-yard touchdown catch.

Edge: Eastern

Offensive Line

Eastern head coach Bob Spoo and Indiana State head coach Lou West both said Eastern’s success with their running game stemmed from the play of the Panthers’ offensive line. West said Eastern’s superior size on the offensive line wore down the Sycamores’ defensive front throughout the game. Eastern’s offensive line averages just over 312 pounds, and Indiana State’s defensive line averages just over 241 pounds. This size advantage allowed Eastern to push the Sycamore’s defensive line back and create holes for the running backs. The Sycamores’ offensive line had less success in creating those holes as most of Indiana State’s runs were around the ends.

Edge: Eastern

Defensive Line

Defensive ends Pierre Walters and Michael Torres tied for second in tackles for Eastern. Walters was able to force one fumble, and Torres recorded one sack. As a whole, Eastern was able to adjust to Indiana State’s running game in the second half as the Panthers limited the Sycamores to 57 yards on the ground in the first half after giving up 100 in the first half. The Sycamores did not match up well against Eastern’s offensive line and never got pressure on the quarterback. Reeder had ample time in the pocket to make completion after completion.

Edge: Eastern

Linebackers

Preseason All-American Donald Thomas led Eastern with 12 total tackles, including one and a half for loss. But he was the only Panthers linebacker to record more than one tackle. Indiana State linebackers Brandon Pence and Josh Jones combined for 20 tackles. Neither team’s linebacker corps made as much of an impact defensively as the defensive lines or secondaries.

Edge: Draw

Secondary

Eastern cornerback Rashad Haynes recorded his second interception of the season when he picked off a Sycamores pass in the first quarter. But this wasn’t Haynes biggest play of the game. Haynes blocked a Sycamores’ punt early in the first quarter that led to Eastern’s first score of the game. Eastern’s secondary as a whole was able to shut down Indiana State’s limited passing game by holding the Sycamores to just five completions for 59 yards. Although Indiana State safety Quinton Scott led his team with 17 tackles, the Sycamores’ secondary was unable to effectively cover a much taller Panthers’ receiving corps.

Edge: Eastern

Special Teams

Spoo said his team’s kickoff coverage was sloppy. Panthers’ cover man James Jones was always the first man down the field on kicks, but he over-pursued each time allowing Indiana State to record a number of long returns. Although Indiana State had a punt blocked and missed an extra point when Corey Varnadore hooked the kick, Eastern misplayed two snaps on extra points and didn’t even get the kick off.

Edge: Indiana State

Coaches

Eastern made the proper defensive adjustments during half time to respond to Indiana State’s new offense behind second-string quarterback Dowdell and limited the Sycamores’ offensive production in the second half. Indiana State had no answer to Eastern’s jumbo backfield package of Keys (at running back), tight end Trent Steckel (at fullback) and defensive end Ryan Bennett (as an extra blocker). The Panthers used this formation on nearly every short-yardage situation, but the Sycamores could not find a way to stop Keys from picking up big yardage or first downs.

Edge: Eastern