Eastern Playoff Football Blog: Part 1
A rash of technical difficulties made my live blog from Eastern’s first-round playoff game at Southern Illinois not live at all. I did, however, blog like I normally would throughout the game. Just not in semi-real time. Here are some highlights by quarter, at one time sort of live, from Carbondale.
FIRST QUARTER
-SIU will start the game on offense at its own 17-yard line. SIU QB Nick Hill started the game on the run trying to get away from Eastern DE Pierre Walter. Walters broke into the backfield and chased Hill out of bounds for a three-yard loss.
-The Salukis picked up their initial first down of the game on an 11-yard pass from Hill to TE Ryan Kernes. Hill is going to be a threat Eastern’s defense will have to adjust to. He can make passes or pull the ball down and run with it. He’s done both so far today—completing two passes and running two quarterback draws.
-Eastern DT Andre Lima and DE Ryan Bennett nearly sacked Hill, but he was able to get a shovel pass off to RB John Randle. However, Randle was unable to make it far enough for the first down, and SIU P Scott Ravanesi punted the ball into the end zone on fourth down. Eastern will have first and 10 at its own 20-yard line.
-Fumble Eastern. RB Ademola Adeniji fumbled the ball on his first carry and Eastern’s first play of the game. SIU will have first and 10 at Eastern’s 21-yard line.
-Touchdown Salukis. Hill connected with WR Alan Turner for a 21-yard touchdown strike. Hill rolled out to his left and found a wide-open Turner in the end zone. The point after is good, and the Salukis lead 7-0.
- Eastern RB Ademola Adenji is not having the type of success against Southern Illinois like he has had against Ohio Valley Conference teams. Adeniji had been able to run over defenders in OVC games, but thus far has had very little success against the SIU defensive line. Adeniji definitely is a run-between-the-tackles type of runner, but SIU’s interior linemen weigh 310 and 285 pounds, respectively.
-SIU QB Nick Hill may be just as dangerous running the ball as he is throwing the ball. Hill has three rushing touchdowns on the season to go with his 24 passing touchdowns. The Salukis have relied on passes to running backs coming out of the backfield for the majority of their offensive production.
-What SIU is doing is controlling the ball. The Salukis are keeping the ball inside the sidelines for the most part and keeping the clock rolling. As long as they remain in the lead, this strategy will hurt the Panthers. SIU’s potent offense will also be a challenge for Eastern. The Salukis are having no trouble moving the ball downfield; both through the air and on the ground.
-Touchdown Salukis. Hill threw his second touchdown pass of the game, this time to TE Ryan Kernes. Hill just lobbed the ball right over Eastern CB Rashad Haynes’ head. The kick is good, and the Salukis lead 14-0.
-It seems like the Panthers are hesitant to run the ball after a fumble by RB Ademola Adeniji on their first play of the game. The game is decidedly in the hands of QB Bodie Reeder right now until Adeniji can find a way to run against the Salukis.
-Reeder just went deep to WR John Gadson, but overthrew Gadson by about five yards. Gadson was fairly well covered, and even if the ball were on target it would have been a difficult catch.
-Adeniji might be finding a little momentum on the ground as he’s had two good runs this drive. Eastern will definitely have to find a way to get Adeniji going because he’s carried the team throughout the second half of this season.