Eastern Illinois forces 7 turnovers; beats Eastern Kentucky

CHARLESTON, Ill. (AP) Malik Harrison and Jalen Whitlow each ran for one touchdown, and Eastern Illinois forced seven turnovers in a 21-7 victory over Eastern

CHARLESTON, Ill. (AP) Malik Harrison and Jalen Whitlow each ran for one touchdown, and Eastern Illinois forced seven turnovers in a 21-7 victory over Eastern Kentucky on Saturday.

Whitlow opened the scoring with a 9-yard touchdown run in the second quarter. On Eastern Kentucky's first possession of the second half, Nick Horne returned a fumble for a 62-yard touchdown. Harrison's 9-yard touchdown run made it 21-0 with 4:35 left in the third.

WIN $2KIN TICKETS

WIN $2KIN TICKETS

GET READY TO COMPETE

Pick your champion (you can change it later). We’ll email you when brackets open.

• Georgia
• Utah
• Alabama
• UCLA
• Notre Dame
• Texas
• Miami (FL)
• Tennessee
• Indiana
• BYU
• Kentucky
• Texas Tech

PREREGISTER TO PLAY

No purchase necessary. 50 U.S./D.C. 18+. Entry opens 3PM ET Dec 6, 2026 and closes 8PM ET Dec 18, 2026. Void where prohibited.See Official Rules for complete details. The College Football Playoff (CFP) is not a sponsor or administrator of this contest.

Harrison had 13 carries for 79 yards for Eastern Illinois (7-4, 7-1 Ohio Valley). Whitlow was 8-of-21 passing for 72 yards and added 26 yards rushing.

Tyler Swafford threw for 99 yards and was intercepted four times for Eastern Kentucky (6-5, 5-3). Six of the Colonels' turnovers came in the second half, including two fumbles.

Tyrell Curry returned a blocked punt 35 yards for a touchdown late in the fourth quarter.