SPORTS

TSU faces different but still potent EIU offense

Mike Organ
morgan@tennessean.com

Tennessee State’s best season in 14 years, which came in 2013, was marred by three ugly losses, two of which came against Eastern Illinois.

EIU gave the Tigers their first Ohio Valley Conference loss 34-16 on Oct. 26 and then ended their season with a 51-10 rout in the second round of the Football Championship Subdivision playoffs.

The other lopsided loss came against Eastern Kentucky 44-0.

The Tigers (4-4. 1-3) can take a step toward evening the score with EIU (2-5, 2-1), the two-time defending OVC champion, when they visit O’Brien Field on Saturday at 1:30 p.m.

EIU’s offense piled up 1,120 yards and scored 13 touchdowns in its two wins over TSU, which was 10-4 last year.

But that was with Walter Payton Award winner Jimmy Garoppolo at quarterback for the Panthers.

Garoppolo is now backing up Tom Brady for the New England Patriots, and the EIU offense has undergone wholesale changes with Jalen Whitlow, a transfer from Kentucky, at quarterback.

“Last year they were able to run the ball because of the way they spread you out with their offense,” said TSU coach Rod Reed. “Now they’re a more physical team. They can line down and just grind it out. They’ve got two or three backs they can throw at you and a quarterback who is very good at running and throwing the ball. They’re different, but they’re also still very efficient on offense.”

Whitlow, who started in 15 games during his two seasons at Kentucky, has been named OVC newcomer of the week four times this season and leads the league in total offense per game (258.7 yards).

He is ranked third in rushing (558 yards) and fifth in passing (1,252).

Garoppolo, more of a pocket passer, ranked sixth all-time in the FCS with 13,156 career passing yards.

“It’s a lot different, but it won’t be any easier going against them,” said TSU middle linebacker Nick Thrasher, who is fourth in the OVC in tackles (10.2 per game). “Garoppolo basically just sat back there and threw the ball. This guy can run it and throw and that gives you more you have to be aware of.”

EIU’s more balanced attack was evident in Saturday’s 52-13 win over Southeast Missouri when the Panthers rushed for 335 yards and passed for 213.

“We went down to Southeast Missouri and things kind of came together for us,” said first-year EIU coach Kim Dameron. “I’ve been really happy the last couple of weeks that we’ve been more balanced offensively, not only in yards but in being able to spread the ball around a little bit.”

TSU’s offense has lost any semblance of balance. In the last two games combined the Tigers have rushed for a total of just 96 yards while throwing for 678.

TSU also has a committed a total of eight turnovers in the last two games, and Reed said the inept running attack has played a factor.

“Our inability to run the ball has put a lot of pressure on (quarterback) Mike (German) to force a lot of things,” Reed said. “He’s just trying to make something happen.”

Reach Mike Organ at 615-259-8021 and on Twitter @MikeOrganWriter.

NEXT GAME

TSU (4-4, 1-3) at EASTERN ILLINOIS (2-5, 2-1)

When: 1:30 p.m. Saturday

Radio: 102.1-FM