Gilkey, Hollins lead E. Illinois to win over SE Missouri St.

Sep 24, 2017, 10:04 pm

CHARLESTON, Ill. -- Scotty Gilkey threw two touchdown passes to Alexander Hollins and ran for another score to help Eastern Illinois beat Southeast Missouri State 19-16 Saturday night in the Ohio Valley Conference opener for both teams.

Gilkey completed 9 of 20 for 142 yards passing and added 26 carries for 98 yards while Hollins had seven receptions for 118 yards for Eastern Illinois (2-2).

Gilkey's 1-yard touchdown run capped a 17-play, 87-yard drive midway through the first quarter and the Panthers never trailed. His 32-yard pass to Hollins made it 12-0 after a second failed PAT attempt with 6:25 left in the half and, after a 4-yard scoring run by Marquis Terry and a safety pulled the Redhawks within three points, a 38-yard touchdown by Hollins made it 19-9 with 11:19 to play. Cameron Sanders returned the ensuing kickoff 93 yards for a score but Bradley Dewberry's 49-yard interception return to midfield sealed it with 23 seconds left.

Southeast Missouri State (0-4) has lost seven in a row dating to last season.

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