Holding a slim 17-12 lead with just under five minutes to play, the Eastern football team looked as if they would be sending head coach Bob Spoo out with a win in his final game at O’Brien Field.

But a critical defensive stop by Tennessee State on a fourth down would turn the tide of the game.

Tennessee State linebacker Nick Thrasher stuffed Eastern red-shirt junior running back Jake Walker at the line of scrimmage on fourth and one, giving the Tigers possession with 4:31 to play in the game.

On the first play of the drive, red-shirt sophomore running back Trabis Ward broke into the open field for a 27-yard gain, giving the Tigers a first down at midfield.

Two plays later, Tennessee State red-shirt freshman quarterback Michael German found freshman tight end Billy Davis for a 29 yard gain, bringing the Tigers into the Eastern redzone at the Panthers’ 17-yard line.

German would again move the Tigers through the air, this time connecting to sophomore wide receiver Wesley Samuels to move the Tigers to the Eastern 1-yard line.

Then, from one yard out, Ward, a Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. native, rushed in for the score.

The Tigers would fail on the two-point conversion attempt, leaving the score 18-17.

The Panthers would get the ball back with 1:42 to play, but the offense, led by sophomore quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo was unable to mount the game-winning drive, ending the game on an incomplete pass to red-shirt junior tight end Von Wise.

With the loss, the Panthers fall with a record of 2-8 overall and 1-7 in the Ohio Valley Conference.

Following the game, Spoo addressed the crowd and thanked them for their continued support over the past 25 years of his coaching career.

“Twenty-five years ago, I came to this great university and I want to thank the students, faculty and staff for your support all these years,” Spoo said. “To the current and former players, many of who have traveled great distances to be here, I thank you for your dedication.”

Spoo said the goal of the program was to influence his players.

“I think our goal was, once you entered here, you left a better person. I hope that’s the case, if so, we succeeded,” he said.

Spoo also thanked his current coaching staff in his post-game address.

“To the current coaches, you know you’ve got to surround yourself with some great people,” he said. “I want to thank my current coaches, my former coaches for their loyalty and dedication in mentoring these young men.”

Spoo said that the Charleston community has helped him grow as a person.

“To the Charleston community in general, again, 25 years ago, I never knew I’d last, but you’ve helped me grow as a person,” he said.

Most of all, he said he wanted to thank his wife and daughter for their continued support.

Spoo concluded his address with a paraphrasing of General Douglas MacArthur’s speech to the joint houses of Congress.

“Old coaches never die, they just fade away,” he said.

Spoo will coach the final game of his career on Saturday, as the Panthers travel to take on Southern Illinois University-Carbondale. The game will start at 2:00 Saturday at Saluki Stadium.

Dominic Renzetti can be reached at 581-7942 or dcrenzetti@eiu.edu.