CHARLESTON, Ill. – What was supposed to be a scrimmage starting at 8:30 a.m. started at 1:55 p.m. after the Eastern Illinois football team had to dodge several heavy rain downpours and lighting in the area which caused a delay.  When the weather cooperated for a 65 minute window the Panther offense was up to the task scoring three touchdowns in the first four series with seven total scores on the day.

“I was pleased with how our young men handled the adversity today,” first year head coach Dino Babers said following the scrimmage.  “The team was ready to go at 8:30 a.m. this morning, but once we started having delays it was best to send them home for a break and return in the early afternoon.  When they came back they responded.”

The offense responded to open the controlled scrimmage as Jimmy Garoppolo hit Chavar Watkins for a 60-yard strike to get the offense moving.  Two plays later Garoppolo hit Chris Wright, his favorite target from last season, for a 14-yard touchdown.  Garoppolo finished the day 20-of-34 for 253 yards with four touchdowns and one interception.

Watkins was the top target in the scrimmage with six catches for 116 yards including a 29-yard touchdown grab later in the day.  Wright had four grabs for 55 yards and two scores.

Jerone Williams gave the defense some momentum on the second series as he batted a pass at the line of scrimmage that Antonio Taylor picked off to end a drive in the red zone. 

Taylor Duncan then guided the offense as it scored on its next two series.  Shepard Little ripped off a 42-yard touchdown run for one score while Duncan broke loss for an 80-yard touchdown scamper for the other score.  Little rushed for 116 yards on nine carries with a pair of 40-plus yard runs.  Duncan rushed for 101 yards on nine carries including the 80-yard touchdown.  Duncan saw time both as the second team's quarterback and as a running back with the third team.

“Taylor is a versatile guy.  We like the flexibility he brings to the offense,” Babers added.  “When you have an athlete who can contribute to your offensive success you want to see where he can be a good fit for your team.”

While the offense put up some solid numbers, the defensive unit was able to turn away a couple of scoring chances while also applying some pressure to the quarterback.  AJ Chappelle and Randolph Tribble both had interceptions with Tribble's coming in the end zone.  Artavious Dowdell, a second team All-OVC performer last season, had three sacks as the defense racked up nine on the day.

“I think we have progressed through our nine practices so far this spring,” said Babers.  “We are by no means a finished product.  We need to continue to develop as a football team through the next six practices ending with the Spring Game on April 28.”