SPRING GAME STATS | Photo Gallery (by Sandy King)
CHARLESTON, Ill. – Battling a constant strong wind from the south, kicker Austin Signor became the unlikely hero on Saturday morning scoring all points during a 6-3 win by the White team during Eastern Illinois Spring football game held at O'Brien Field.
Signor kicked for both teams and scored all nine points in the contest including a first quarter touchdown that was wiped off the score board. On the first drive of the game the Blue team drove the length of the field and on an 18-yard field goal attempt Signor scooped up a bobbled snap and ran in for a score. He also tagged on the extra point, but head coach Bob Spoo disallowed the score as the defense was not allowed to rush the kick.
“Kickers scoring touchdowns in a game almost never happens,” Signor said following the game. “It was nice to have that happen but Coach Spoo called it back because the defense was not allowed to rush or tackle me. I think we had a great team effort and I was happy to be able to knock down some big kicks.”
Signor's biggest kick of the day was a 42-yarder into the wind with 2:23 left in the fourth quarter that gave the White team the eventual win. Signor also hit from 42-yards for the Blue team in the second quarter and 29-yards for the White team as time expired in the third quarter.
A main reason for Signor scoring all the points was the solid play of the Eastern Illinois defense for both teams. The teams combined for 13.5 tackles for loss for 49 yards including the one sack of the day by #C.J. James# for the Blue team. The White offense finished with 185 yards of total offense while the Blue team was limited to just 187 yards.
“We had a great effort today. It was very competitive on both sides,” said Spoo. “I like what we are doing on defense and I think today's score shows you that the defense for both teams played extremely well. We are getting after people on defense and really put some pressure on the ball.”
The only turnover of the day was an interception by Shelton Penrow on the first drive of the third quarter that ended a potential scoring drive by the Blue team. Penrow picked off the pass by Doug Reynolds at the 15 yard line. Reynolds quarterbacking the Blue team was 11-of-25 for 108 yards while his counterpart for the White team, Luke Hockaday, was 9-for-15 for 78 yards.
Transfer running back Mon Williams led the White team's rushing attack with 86 yards including a long rumble of 41 yards. Chevon Walker led the Blue team's ground game with 55 yards.
Sean Campbell was the leading tackler for the White team with six tackles while Andre Lima added four tackles including 2.5 tackles for loss. James led the Blue defense with 6 tackles and Cory Leman added 5.
“I think we had a very good spring,” added Spoo. “We got through today's game with some young guys stepping up. We need those players to continue to work hard during the off season and come in with that same drive when we open fall camp.”
EIU will close out its fifteen spring practices on Wednesday at 6 p.m. with a coach's clinic at O'Brien Field. EIU opens the 2009 season on Thursday, Sept. 3 against Illinois State at O'Brien Field.
