An incomplete pass from Western Illinois on the last drive during the fourth quarter helped Eastern secure the 45-38 win against the Leathernecks Saturday afternoon at O’Brien Stadium.

The Panthers snapped their seven week losing streak adding a game to their overall record and taking their first win for the conference.

For the first time since 2016, the Panthers won against the Leathernecks.

Graduate quarterback Pierce Holley passed for a total of 338 yards, five touchdowns and had zero interceptions.

“[This is] huge, huge for the program,” redshirt sophomore running back MJ Flowers said. “Our first win against Western since 2016, and we were going against former coach Joe Davis, it was good to go out there and get a good team win.”

Flowers had one rushing touchdown and recorded two receiving, three receptions for 86 yards and three touchdowns.

All season, head coach Chris Wilkerson has stressed to the team about their turnover margin and how that affects the game.

Offensively, the Panthers had zero turnovers which is an improvement from other games. However, on the special teams unit during a kick-off return in the second quarter, freshman running back Jacarre “Smoke” Fleming fumbled the ball after rushing for 22 yards.

“We were able to finish some drives offensively, and then offensively we had zero turnovers,” Wilkerson said. “Unfortunately, we had the one turnover on a kick-off return, and that put the ball on a short field for our defense again. I was proud of the way they responded to the adversity they battled this afternoon.”

Eastern started the third quarter with a four play touchdown.

Graduate quarterback Pierce Holley passed the ball to senior wide receiver Cooper Willman. Willman ran for nine yards to get a Panther first down.

Holley then made contact with MJ Flowers for a 65 yard run and touchdown, which put the Panthers up 24-17.

“They were punching back, and we were giving them our fair share of blows too, so going out and being able to capitalize on the majority of our drives is good for us,” Flowers said.

Defensively, on the first drive of the second quarter, junior defensive back NiJhay Burt got disqualified from a targeting penalty.

“Kiwaun [Davis] and [Isaiah] Houi did a good job stepping in,” redshirt junior safety Kaelin Drakeford said. “Those are two guys that have worked hard all season. Every position group has had guys go down, and it’s the next man up. They got their chance today and they did a good job.”

The Panthers didn’t let Burt’s disqualification get to them as they still competed and fought against the Leathernecks.

Freshman defensive back Isaiah Houi and redshirt freshman defensive back Kiwaun Davis stepped in and got extended playing time against Western.

Houi had a total of three tackles, and Davis had seven of his own against the Leathernecks.

“Some guys continued to step up,” Wilkerson said. “Isaiah Houi probably wasn’t sure he’d play as much as he played this afternoon, but he did step in and did a phenomenal job, competitively and battled. Certainly, Kiwaun Davis was another that played a ton for us. And that’s all we ask our guys to do. No matter who it is and what position they play for.”

Not taking the highs too high, but taking his lows as something he will need to improve on, redshirt sophomore tight end Alex Ginnever is going to keep looking for things to fix and help his team finish off their season better.

“I was just happy to get my team in that situation to continue to fight for that win,” Ginnever said. “That’s something that we have been looking for so it felt good to play my part and do what I needed to do”

Ginnever recorded six receptions for 100 yards and two touchdowns to help add points on the board.

“It’s been a long fall, the guys have battled and continued to prepare every week and we have been on the short end of the results part of it,” Wilkerson said. “[So] to see them get some affirmations and some validation from their hard work is awesome to be able to watch them celebrate, is the joy that you get in coaching. I am excited for them, they worked hard to be able to push through some difficult circumstances, and some guys have continued to step up. I was very proud of our efforts and certainly happy for the guys to have the validation of one more point than our opponent.”

Next week, Eastern is set to play Gardner-Webb University in Boiling Springs, North Carolina. Kick-off is scheduled for 12:30 p.m.

Payton Liggins can be reached at 581-2812 or at paliggins@eiu.edu.