Eastern Illinois holds off UT Martin 23-21

MARTIN, Tenn. (AP) Thomas Coronado returned an interception 45 yards for a touchdown to help Eastern Illinois to a 23-21 win over UT Martin on Saturday. The

MARTIN, Tenn. (AP) Thomas Coronado returned an interception 45 yards for a touchdown to help Eastern Illinois to a 23-21 win over UT Martin on Saturday.

The pick-six stalled a fourth-quarter UT Martin drive and was the second defensive score of the game by Eastern Illinois (6-4, 6-1 Ohio Valley Conference), which also got a 2-point safety late in the first quarter. Shepard Little had a 5-yard rushing touchdown and Devin Church ran one in from the 2.

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Jalen Whitlow threw for just 80 yards but scrambled for 142 on the ground for the Panthers.

UT Martin (5-4, 5-2) trailed 16-15 in the fourth quarter and had driven to midfield when Jarod Neal threw the interception that Coronado returned. Neal finished with 322 yards on 30-for-49 passing, including a touchdown, but had four interceptions.

The Skyhawks, which also scored on a defensive safety, outgained Eastern Illinois 403-276 in total offensive yardage.