Christensen’s 2 touchdown passes pace E. Illinois over SE Missouri 23-14 in OVC opener

Christensen paces E. Illinois by SE Missouri 23-14

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. — Jake Christensen threw for 296 yards and two touchdowns to lead Eastern Illinois to a 23-14 victory over Southeast Missouri in an Ohio Valley Conference opener Saturday night.

Christensen was 19 of 26 for EIU (3-0, 1-0 OVC). Mon Williams rushed for 119 yards and a touchdown for the Panthers, and Lorence Ricks caught three passes for 101 yards and a TD.

Matt Scheible was 17 of 35 for 171 yards and rushed for another 75 yards for SE Missouri (1-2, 0-1).

Christensen’s 42-yard pass to Ricks opened the scoring. The Redhawks tied it when Scheible scored on a 1-yard run, then took the lead on Henry Harris’ 9-yard run.

Eastern Illinois retook the lead when Williams ran 65 yards for a TD. The Panthers added a safety and Erik Lora’s 3-yard reception from Christensen.