EASTERN ILLINOIS WENT UP AGAINST THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA IN A FOOTBALL GAME

On Aug. 28 the University of Minnesota took on Eastern Illinois at TCF Bank Stadium in a football game. It was the home opener for Minnesota. It was also the first game for Eastern Illinois. 

Eastern Illinois kicked off to Minnesota to start the game. Minnesota got the ball on their own 24 yard line. Minnesota looked to get the ball into the hands of David Cobb. Cobb was able to pick up a first down. 

Mitch Leidner was Minnesota’s starting quarterback. Leidner got everyone involved in the offense early. On their first drive however they were not able to get a first down so they punted on fourth-and-10.

The punt ended up in the endzone for a touchback. Eastern Illinois got the ball on their own 20 yard line. Eastern Illinois used both the air and the ground to get move the ball down the field. The Minnesota defense stepped up and made it hard for Eastern Illinois to complete passes. Eastern Illinois’ Nico Shepherd came up with a nice catch for a first down. Teammate Adam Drake also was able to come up with receptions that moved the ball and the chains down the field. Eastern Illinois fumbled the snap for a 17-yard loss. On fourth-and-26 Eastern Illinois punted the ball. There was no return.  

Minnesota got the ball on their own 27 yard line. Cobb looked to keep the ball and move the ball down the field. Minnesota was not able to come up with a first down. 

Both teams’ offenses struggled to move the ball down the field late in the first quarter.  

Eastern Illinois fumbled the ball and Minnesota came up with the ball. Minnesota looked to get into the end zone late in the first quarter. Leidner ran two yards for a touchdown. The extra point attempt by Ryan Santoso was good. 

With 1:53 left in the first quarter the score was Minnesota 7, Eastern Illinois 0.

The kick went to the back of the endzone and Eastern Illinois got the ball on their 20 yard line. They were not able to move the ball the field so they punted the ball on fourth down.

After a quarter of play the score was Minnesota 7, Eastern Illinois 0.

Cobb continued to look to get the ball down the field. The Eastern Illinois defense had a hard time containing him.

Both teams continued to move the ball up and down the field as they each tried to get first downs.  

The Minnesota defense stepped up big in the second quarter. That made Eastern Illinois have to punt the ball on fourth and long. 

Minnesota got the ball on their own 37 yard line. Minnesota had difficulty moving the ball down the field. Leidner found Mitch Jones for a 35-yard touchdown reception. The extra-point attempt was good. 

With 1:27 left in the second quarter the score was Minnesota 14, Eastern Illinois 0. 

Eastern Illinois got the ball back on the 30 yard line. Eastern Illinois continued to look to the air as quarter back Andrew Manley wanted to keep the ball moving down the field. They were not able to do that as they turned the ball over on downs to end the quarter. 

At halftime the score was Minnesota 14, Eastern Illinois 0. 

Minnesota kicked off to start the third quarter.  The ball went into the end zone for a touchback. Eastern Illinois got the ball on their 25 yard line. The Minnesota defense stepped up big and was able to create havoc and break up plays. Minnesota’s Alex Keith sacked the quarterback and Eastern Illinois had to punt. Minnesota blocked the punt and Logan Hutton recovered it and scored a touchdown. Santoso’s extra point attempt was good.

With 13:20 left in the third quarter the score was Minnesota 21, Eastern Illinois 0. 

The kick off went into the end zone for a touchback. Eastern Illinois got the ball on their own 26 yard line. Eastern Illinois punted the ball on fourth down. 

Minnesota got the ball back on the Eastern Illinois 48 yard line. Minnesota couldn’t move the ball down the field and they had to punt the ball on fourth and long. 

Eastern Illinois called a timeout with 3:10 left in the third quarter.  

Minnesota got the ball back as they looked to strike late in the third quarter. They were not able to get into the endzone late in the third quarter.  

After three quarters of play the score was Minnesota 21, Eastern Illinois 0. 

Minnesota’s Leidner carried the ball five yards for a touchdown run. The extra-point attempt was good.

With 13:56 left in the fourth the score was Minnesota 28, Eastern Illinois 0.

Minnesota got the ball back as Eastern Illinois punted on fourth and long. Minnesota looked to get into the end zone again and they did that as Berkley Edwards came up with a one yard touchdown run. The extra point attempt was good. 

With 11:29 left in the fourth quarter the score was Minnesota 35, Eastern Illinois 0.

Eastern Illinois got the ball back after the touchdown. They moved the ball down the field quickly. They scored a touchdown on a two yard run by Andrew Manley. The extra point attempt was good. With 6:57 left in regulation the score was Minnesota 35, Eastern Illinois 7. 

Minnesota got the ball back and looked to march down the field again. Minnesota’s Edwards scored on a 42-yard touchdown run. The extra point attempt was good.

With 2:05 left in regulation the score was Minnesota 42, Eastern Illinois 7. 

Minnesota was too powerful for Eastern Illinois. I thought that Minnesota played well and the defensive pressure Minnesota applied took Eastern Illinois out of the game. The Minnesota offense was clicking tonight as I also thought that the offense came up with some big plays when they needed to.

Eastern Illinois came up with a touchdown on a Jimmy Lera 11 yard pass from Andrew Manley 

The extra-point attempt was good. 

Eastern Illinois came up with another touchdown as Adam Drake caught a 32 yard pass from Manley. as time expired.  

Minnesota came away with the 42-20 victory over Eastern Illinois.