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Tennessee State at Eastern Illinois

Saturday, October 4, 2025

Eastern Illinois beat Tennessee State 31–⁠7. It was their 21st meeting; Eastern Illinois leads the series 12–⁠9.

AwayTennessee State2–⁠10 in 2025
7
HomeEastern Illinois3–⁠9 in 2025
31

Final at O’Brien Stadium, CharlestonTV: ESPN+Attendance 3,315

At kickoff
85°F, wind 13 mph from the south, gusts to 18 mphWeather: NOAA NCEI Global Historical Climatology Network hourly; Mattoon Charleston Coles County Airport, 8 km from the stadium, seven minutes before kickoff
Official
Zach ErdmannGame officials: stats.ncaa.org box scores, via SportsDataverse

Scoring by quarter

TeamQ1Q2Q3Q4Final
Tennessee State00077
Eastern Illinois7107731

Standouts

  • PassingConnor Wolf13 of 20, 134 yards, 2 TDEastern Illinois
  • RushingCole Lacrue8 carries, 22 yards, 2 TDEastern Illinois
  • DefenseBrandon Worsley1 INTEastern Illinois

Player stats

Tennessee State

PassingC/AttYdsTDInt
Byron McNair16/2020511
Jonathan Palmer0/1000
RushingCarYdsTDLong
Kendric Rhymes711013
Zack Simmons-Brown410011
Anthony Taylor1808
Byron McNair81013
ReceivingRecYdsTDLong
Snap Reed452128
Kendric Rhymes130030
Devaughn Slaughter330015
Tyson Edwards229024

Eastern Illinois

PassingC/AttYdsTDInt
Connor Wolf13/2013420
Cole Lacrue2/33400
RushingCarYdsTDLong
Charles Kellom2069012
Jacarre Fleming941017
Jay Pearson533018
Cole Lacrue82227
ReceivingRecYdsTDLong
Cooper Willman353026
Landers Green229018
Alex Herrera328016
Joe McNab322112
DefenseTklTFLSacksInt
Brandon Worsley0001

From CollegeFootballData’s box score. Names lead to each player’s page. ★ a career high on file.

Team stats

Tennessee StateEastern Illinois
235Total yards339
205Passing yards168
30Rushing yards171
9.3Yards per pass7.3
1.5Yards per rush3.3
15First downs26
5–⁠10Third downs7–⁠12
0–⁠2Fourth downs1–⁠1
3Turnovers0
7–⁠85Penalties8–⁠85
20:12Possession39:48

Efficiency

Tennessee StateEastern Illinois
45%Success rate46%
−0.05EPA per play0.17
1.30Explosiveness1.24
−0.70Rushing EPA−0.04
0.54Passing EPA0.57
47%Passing-down success50%

From CollegeFootballData.com: each offense’s efficiency, and the havoc each defense caused. The better side of each line is bold.

Before kickoff

Our ratings and the line, going in

Our ratings (scores only)

Eastern Illinois 52% to win. Elo’s favorite won.

The line

Eastern Illinois −5, over/under 50.5.

The last line on file before kickoff: the consensus line when the books publish one, otherwise a single major sportsbook’s.

Every drive

Eastern Illinois end zoneTennessee State end zoneQ1 Tennessee StatePunt, 3 playsQ1 Tennessee StateTurnover on downs, 10 playsQ1 Eastern IllinoisTouchdown, 16 playsQ1 Tennessee StatePunt, 3 playsQ1 Eastern IllinoisPunt, 7 playsQ2 Eastern IllinoisResult not recorded, 1 playQ2 Eastern IllinoisTouchdown, 13 playsQ2 Tennessee StateTurnover on downs, 5 playsQ2 Eastern IllinoisTouchdown, 8 playsQ2 Tennessee StateMissed FG, 4 playsQ3 Eastern IllinoisPunt, 3 playsQ3 Eastern IllinoisMissed FG, 13 playsQ3 Eastern IllinoisTouchdown, 6 playsQ3 Tennessee StateFumble, 8 playsQ4 Tennessee StateTouchdown, 5 playsQ4 Eastern IllinoisTouchdown, 7 playsQ4 Tennessee StateInterception, 7 playsQ4 Eastern IllinoisResult not recorded, 7 plays
Solid bars scored; an outline in the other team’s color marks points the defense scored. Eastern Illinois drives left to right, Tennessee State right to left. Our source’s drive data for this game doesn’t add up to the final score, so a score may be missing here; the scoring by quarter above is complete.
  1. Q1 Tennessee StatePunt, 3 plays, 8 yards
  2. Q1 Tennessee StateTurnover on downs, 10 plays, 55 yards
  3. Q1 Eastern IllinoisTouchdown, 16 plays, 55 yards
  4. Q1 Tennessee StatePunt, 3 plays, 8 yards
  5. Q1 Eastern IllinoisPunt, 7 plays, 21 yards
  6. Q2 Eastern IllinoisResult not recorded, 1 play, 0 yards
  7. Q2 Eastern IllinoisTouchdown, 13 plays, 49 yards
  8. Q2 Tennessee StateTurnover on downs, 5 plays, 21 yards
  9. Q2 Eastern IllinoisTouchdown, 8 plays, 51 yards
  10. Q2 Tennessee StateMissed FG, 4 plays, 29 yards
  11. Q3 Eastern IllinoisPunt, 3 plays, 6 yards
  12. Q3 Eastern IllinoisMissed FG, 13 plays, 73 yards
  13. Q3 Eastern IllinoisTouchdown, 6 plays, 25 yards
  14. Q3 Tennessee StateFumble, 8 plays, 45 yards
  15. Q4 Tennessee StateTouchdown, 5 plays, 71 yards
  16. Q4 Eastern IllinoisTouchdown, 7 plays, 67 yards
  17. Q4 Tennessee StateInterception, 7 plays, 31 yards
  18. Q4 Eastern IllinoisResult not recorded, 7 plays, 28 yards

Play by play

1st quarter6 drives, then Eastern Illinois 7, Tennessee State 0
Tennessee State Punt, 3 plays
15:001st & 10 at own 35Drew Schiller kickoff for 65 yds for a touchback
15:001st & 10 at own 25Kendric Rhymes run for 4 yds to the TNST 29
15:002nd & 6 at own 29Byron McNair pass complete to Snap Reed for 5 yds to the TNST 34
15:003rd & 1 at own 34Kendric Rhymes run for a loss of 1 yard to the TNST 33
Tennessee State Turnover on downs, 10 plays
15:001st & 10 at own 16Byron McNair run for a loss of 2 yards to the TNST 14
13:144th & 2 at own 33Mark Shenouda punt for 40 yds Tennessee State Penalty, kick catching interference (Sammy Taylor) to the EIU 42
Eastern Illinois Touchdown, 16 plays
13:141st & 10 at own 42Charles Kellom run for 6 yds to the EIU 48
13:142nd & 4 at own 48Cole LaCrue run for 4 yds to the TNST 48 for a 1ST down
13:141st & 10 at opp 48Charles Kellom run for 3 yds to the TNST 45
13:142nd & 7 at opp 45Connor Wolf pass incomplete
13:143rd & 7 at opp 45Connor Wolf pass complete to Alex Herrera for 12 yds to the TNST 33 for a 1ST down
13:141st & 10 at opp 33Jacarre Fleming run for no gain to the TNST 33
10:322nd & 10 at opp 33Connor Wolf sacked by Marlon Huff for a loss of 11 yards to the TNST 44
10:323rd & 21 at opp 44Connor Wolf pass incomplete to Charles Kellom Eastern Illinois Penalty, illegal formation (Sandro Malicevic) to the TNST 49
10:323rd & 26 at opp 49Tennessee State Penalty, personal foul (Jayden Guy) to the TNST 34 for a 1ST down
10:321st & 10 at opp 34Connor Wolf run for a loss of 4 yards to the TNST 38
10:322nd & 14 at opp 38Cole LaCrue pass complete to Landers Green for 18 yds to the TNST 20 for a 1ST down
10:321st & 10 at opp 20Charles Kellom run for 3 yds to the TNST 17
10:322nd & 7 at opp 17Charles Kellom run for 1 yd to the TNST 16
10:323rd & 6 at opp 16Cole LaCrue pass incomplete to Landers Green for a 1ST down Tennessee State Penalty, Defensive pass interference (Jashon Watkins) to the TNST 2 for a 1ST down
10:321st & goal at opp 2Cole LaCrue run for a loss of 1 yard to the TNST 3
6:302nd & goal at opp 3Charles Kellom run for no gain to the TNST 3
5:343rd & goal at opp 3Cole LaCrue run for 3 yds for a TD (Drew Schiller KICK)Eastern Illinois 7, Tennessee State 0
Tennessee State Punt, 3 plays
5:341st & 10 at own 35Drew Schiller kickoff for 65 yds for a touchback
5:341st & 10 at own 25Kendric Rhymes run for 2 yds to the TNST 27
5:342nd & 8 at own 27Byron McNair pass complete to Anthony Taylor for 7 yds to the TNST 34
5:343rd & 1 at own 34Kendric Rhymes run for a loss of 1 yard to the TNST 33
3:524th & 2 at own 33Mark Shenouda punt for 37 yds
Eastern Illinois Punt, 7 plays
3:521st & 10 at own 30Connor Wolf pass incomplete to DeAirious Smith
3:522nd & 10 at own 30Cole LaCrue pass complete to Jacarre Fleming for no gain to the EIU 30 for a 1ST down Tennessee State Penalty, Defensive holding (Jayden Guy) to the EIU 40 for a 1ST down
3:521st & 10 at own 40Jacarre Fleming run for 1 yd to the EIU 41
3:522nd & 9 at own 41Connor Wolf pass complete to DeAirious Smith for 10 yds to the TNST 49 for a 1ST down
3:521st & 10 at opp 49Jay Pearson run for no gain to the TNST 49
3:522nd & 10 at opp 49Connor Wolf pass incomplete to CJ Nelson
3:523rd & 10 at opp 49Connor Wolf pass incomplete to Jay Pearson, broken up by Taeshawn Jefferson
0:514th & 10 at opp 49Mason Miller punt for 44 yds
Tennessee State Turnover on downs, 10 plays
0:511st & 10 at own 5Zack Simmons-Brown run for 11 yds to the TNST 16 for a 1ST down
Q2 15:002nd & 12 at own 14Byron McNair pass complete to Connor Ruth for 10 yds to the TNST 24
Q2 15:003rd & 2 at own 24Byron McNair pass complete to Connor Ruth for 17 yds to the TNST 41 for a 1ST down
Q2 15:001st & 10 at own 41Byron McNair pass complete to Zack Simmons-Brown for 3 yds to the TNST 44
Q2 15:002nd & 7 at own 44Byron McNair pass complete to Snap Reed for 14 yds to the EIU 42 for a 1ST down
Q2 15:001st & 10 at opp 42Byron McNair run for 3 yds to the EIU 39
Q2 15:002nd & 7 at opp 39Zack Simmons-Brown run for a loss of 1 yard to the EIU 40
Q2 15:003rd & 8 at opp 40Byron McNair pass incomplete to Devaughn Slaughter
2nd quarter6 drives, then Eastern Illinois 17, Tennessee State 0
Eastern Illinois Result not recorded, 1 play
15:001st & 10 at own 30run for a loss of 1 yard to the TNST 35
Tennessee State Turnover on downs, 10 plays
11:184th & 8 at opp 40Jonathan Palmer pass incomplete to Snap Reed Tennessee State Penalty, illegal formation (Jayden Guy) to the EIU 40
Eastern Illinois Touchdown, 13 plays
11:181st & 10 at own 40Connor Wolf pass incomplete to Alex Ginnever, broken up by James Stewart
11:182nd & 10 at own 40Charles Kellom run for 1 yd to the EIU 41
11:183rd & 9 at own 41Connor Wolf pass complete to Landers Green for 11 yds to the TNST 48 for a 1ST down
11:181st & 10 at opp 48Charles Kellom run for 7 yds to the TNST 41
11:182nd & 3 at opp 41Charles Kellom run for a loss of 4 yards to the TNST 45
11:183rd & 7 at opp 45Connor Wolf pass complete to CJ Nelson for 7 yds to the TNST 38 for a 1ST down
11:181st & 10 at opp 38Tennessee State Penalty, off-side (Braelen Perry) to the TNST 33
11:181st & 5 at opp 33Charles Kellom run for 11 yds to the TNST 22 for a 1ST down
11:181st & 10 at opp 22Charles Kellom run for 1 yd to the TNST 21 for a 1ST down Tennessee State Penalty, personal foul (Jayden Guy) to the TNST 10 for a 1ST down
7:231st & goal at opp 10Jacarre Fleming run for no gain Eastern Illinois Penalty, Offensive holding (Sandro Malicevic) to the TNST 20
7:231st & goal at opp 20Connor Wolf pass complete to Charles Kellom for 8 yds to the TNST 12
7:232nd & goal at opp 12Connor Wolf pass complete to Cooper Willman for 2 yds to the TNST 10
7:233rd & goal at opp 10Connor Wolf run for a loss of 1 yard to the TNST 11
5:174th & goal at opp 11D. Schiller 28 yd FG GOODEastern Illinois 10, Tennessee State 0
Tennessee State Turnover on downs, 5 plays
5:121st & 10 at own 35Drew Schiller kickoff for 50 yds , Kendric Rhymes return for 18 yds to the TNST 33
5:121st & 10 at own 33Kendric Rhymes run for 13 yds to the TNST 46 for a 1ST down
5:121st & 10 at own 46Anthony Taylor run for 8 yds to the EIU 46
5:122nd & 2 at opp 46Byron McNair run for a loss of 4 yards to the 50 yard line
5:123rd & 6 at the 50Byron McNair pass complete to Devaughn Slaughter for 4 yds to the EIU 46
2:234th & 2 at opp 46Byron McNair pass incomplete to Connor Ruth, broken up by Moses Alexander
Eastern Illinois Touchdown, 8 plays
2:231st & 10 at own 46Jacarre Fleming run for 3 yds to the TNST 49 for a 1ST down Tennessee State Penalty, face mask (15 yards) (Jayden Guy) to the TNST 36 for a 1ST down
2:231st & 10 at opp 36Connor Wolf pass incomplete to Landers Green, broken up by Kaiki Baker
2:232nd & 10 at opp 36Connor Wolf pass complete to Cooper Willman for 25 yds to the TNST 11 for a 1ST down
2:001st & 10 at opp 11Charles Kellom run for 4 yds to the TNST 7
2:002nd & 6 at opp 7Charles Kellom run for 5 yds to the TNST 2
2:003rd & 1 at opp 2Connor Wolf run for 1 yd to the TNST 1 for a 1ST down
0:471st & goal at opp 1Charles Kellom run for no gain to the TNST 1
0:262nd & goal at opp 1Connor Wolf pass complete to Joe McNab for 1 yd for a TD (Drew Schiller KICK) (Drew Schiller KICK)Eastern Illinois 17, Tennessee State 0
Tennessee State Missed FG, 4 plays
0:201st & 10 at own 35Drew Schiller kickoff for 35 yds , Trevor Pearson II return for 11 yds to the TNST 41
0:201st & 10 at own 41Byron McNair pass complete to Amari Southall for 14 yds to the EIU 45 for a 1ST down
0:112nd & 10 at opp 45Byron McNair pass incomplete to Snap Reed for a 1ST down Eastern Illinois Penalty, Defensive pass interference (Brandon Worsley) to the EIU 30 for a 1ST down
0:031st & 10 at opp 30Freddy Perez 48 yd FG MISSED
3rd quarter5 drives, then Eastern Illinois 24, Tennessee State 0
Eastern Illinois Punt, 3 plays
15:001st & 10 at own 35Freddy Perez kickoff for 65 yds for a touchback
15:001st & 10 at own 25Connor Wolf run for 6 yds to the EIU 31
15:002nd & 4 at own 31Connor Wolf pass complete to Alex Herrera for no gain to the EIU 31
15:003rd & 4 at own 31Connor Wolf pass incomplete to Cooper Willman
Eastern Illinois Missed FG, 13 plays
15:001st & 10 at opp 25Jacarre Fleming run for no gain to the TNST 25
13:304th & 4 at own 31Mason Miller punt for 44 yds , Anthony Taylor returns for 3 yds to the TNST 28 Anthony Taylor fumbled, recovered by EIU Max Loveall , return for no gain to the TNST 28
Eastern Illinois Touchdown, 6 plays
13:301st & 10 at opp 28Charles Kellom run for no gain to the TNST 28
13:302nd & 10 at opp 28Connor Wolf run for 18 yds to the TNST 10 for a 1ST down
13:301st & goal at opp 10Charles Kellom run for 1 yd to the TNST 9
13:302nd & goal at opp 9Cole LaCrue run for 4 yds to the TNST 5
10:583rd & goal at opp 5Cole LaCrue run for 4 yds to the TNST 1
10:294th & goal at opp 1Cole LaCrue run for 1 yd for a TD (Drew Schiller KICK)Eastern Illinois 24, Tennessee State 0
Tennessee State Fumble, 8 plays
10:241st & 10 at own 35Drew Schiller kickoff for 48 yds , Kendric Rhymes return for 13 yds to the TNST 30
10:241st & 10 at own 30Zack Simmons-Brown run for no gain to the TNST 30
10:242nd & 10 at own 30Byron McNair run for a loss of 2 yards to the TNST 28
10:243rd & 12 at own 28Byron McNair pass complete to Brock Montgomery for 13 yds to the EIU 41 Eastern Illinois Penalty, roughing passer (Samuel Robles) to the EIU 44
10:241st & 10 at opp 44Kendric Rhymes run for a loss of 6 yards to the 50 yard line Kendric Rhymes fumbled, recovered by TNST Kendric Rhymes , return to the 50 yard line Kendric Rhymes run to the 50 yard line
10:242nd & 16 at the 50Byron McNair sacked by Trevon Piggee for a loss of 10 yards to the TNST 40
10:243rd & 26 at own 40Byron McNair pass complete to Kendric Rhymes for 30 yds to the EIU 30 for a 1ST down
10:241st & 10 at opp 30Byron McNair pass complete to Tyson Edwards for 5 yds to the EIU 25
6:252nd & 5 at opp 25Byron McNair pass complete to Tyson Edwards for 24 yds Byron McNair fumbled, recovered by EIU Saipeti Maiava Jr
Eastern Illinois Missed FG, 13 plays
6:251st & 10 at own 1Connor Wolf run for 2 yds to the EIU 3
6:252nd & 8 at own 3Charles Kellom run for no gain to the EIU 3
6:253rd & 8 at own 3Charles Kellom run for 11 yds to the EIU 14 for a 1ST down
6:251st & 10 at own 14Connor Wolf pass complete to Joe McNab for 9 yds to the EIU 23
6:252nd & 1 at own 23Charles Kellom run for 12 yds to the EIU 35 for a 1ST down
6:251st & 10 at own 35Jacarre Fleming run for 6 yds to the EIU 41
6:252nd & 4 at own 41Cole LaCrue pass complete to Alex Herrera for 16 yds to the TNST 43 for a 1ST down
6:251st & 10 at opp 43Charles Kellom run for 1 yd to the TNST 42
6:252nd & 9 at opp 42Jacarre Fleming run for 17 yds to the TNST 25 for a 1ST down
Q4 15:002nd & 10 at opp 25Jacarre Fleming run for 4 yds to the TNST 21
Q4 15:003rd & 6 at opp 21Cole LaCrue pass incomplete, broken up by Jayden Cook
Q4 15:004th & 6 at opp 21Eastern Illinois Penalty, personal foul (Brett Galletti) to the TNST 26
Q4 14:074th & 11 at opp 26Drew Schiller 43 yd FG MISSED
4th quarter4 drives, then Eastern Illinois 31, Tennessee State 7
Tennessee State Touchdown, 5 plays
14:071st & 10 at own 26Byron McNair pass incomplete to Devaughn Slaughter for a 1ST down Eastern Illinois Penalty, Defensive pass interference (Brandon Worsley) to the TNST 41 for a 1ST down
14:071st & 10 at own 41Zack Simmons-Brown run for no gain to the TNST 41
14:072nd & 10 at own 41Byron McNair run for 3 yds to the TNST 44
14:073rd & 7 at own 44Byron McNair run for 13 yds to the EIU 43 for a 1ST down
14:071st & 10 at opp 43Eastern Illinois Penalty, personal foul (Christopher Sharp) to the EIU 28 for a 1ST down
12:081st & 10 at opp 28B. McNair pass to S. Reed for 28 yds for a TD (F. Perez KICK) (Freddy Perez KICK)Eastern Illinois 24, Tennessee State 7
Eastern Illinois Touchdown, 7 plays
12:021st & 10 at own 35Freddy Perez kickoff for 54 yds , Jacarre Fleming return for 19 yds to the EIU 30
12:021st & 10 at own 30Jay Pearson run for 7 yds to the EIU 37
12:022nd & 3 at own 37Connor Wolf pass complete to Alex Ginnever for 11 yds to the EIU 48 for a 1ST down
12:021st & 10 at own 48Jay Pearson run for a loss of 2 yards to the EIU 46
12:022nd & 12 at own 46Connor Wolf pass complete to Joe McNab for 12 yds to the TNST 42 for a 1ST down
12:021st & 10 at opp 42Jay Pearson run for 18 yds to the TNST 24 for a 1ST down
12:021st & 10 at opp 24Eastern Illinois Penalty, false start (Rahfeeq Katumbusi) to the TNST 29
12:021st & 15 at opp 29Jacarre Fleming run for 3 yds to the TNST 26
7:062nd & 12 at opp 26Connor Wolf pass complete to Cooper Willman for 26 yds for a TD (Drew Schiller KICK) (Drew Schiller KICK)Eastern Illinois 31, Tennessee State 7
Tennessee State Interception, 7 plays
7:061st & 10 at own 35Drew Schiller kickoff for 65 yds for a touchback
7:061st & 10 at own 25Byron McNair pass complete to Devaughn Slaughter for 11 yds to the TNST 36 for a 1ST down
7:061st & 10 at own 36Kendric Rhymes run for no gain to the TNST 36
7:062nd & 10 at own 36Byron McNair pass complete to Snap Reed for 5 yds to the TNST 41
7:063rd & 5 at own 41Byron McNair pass complete to Devaughn Slaughter for 15 yds to the EIU 44 for a 1ST down
7:061st & 10 at opp 44Byron McNair run for no gain to the EIU 44
7:062nd & 10 at opp 44Byron McNair pass incomplete to Justin Hughes
4:153rd & 10 at opp 44Brandon Worsley return for no gain to the EIU 32
Eastern Illinois Result not recorded, 7 plays
4:151st & 10 at own 32Charles Kellom run for 6 yds to the EIU 38
4:152nd & 4 at own 38Cole LaCrue run for no gain to the EIU 38
4:153rd & 4 at own 38Jacarre Fleming run for 7 yds to the EIU 45 for a 1ST down
2:351st & 10 at own 45Cole LaCrue run for 7 yds to the TNST 48
2:002nd & 3 at opp 48Jay Pearson run for 10 yds to the TNST 38 for a 1ST down
2:001st & 10 at opp 38run for a loss of 2 yards to the TNST 40
2:002nd & 12 at opp 40run for a loss of 2 yards to the TNST 40

Play-by-play from CollegeFootballData.com, as its scorers wrote it. The clock is the time left in the quarter; the spot is from the side of the team with the ball.

The series

Every Tennessee State–Eastern Illinois game

Eastern Illinois leads 12–⁠9 in 21 meetings.

Recent meetings
2025Eastern Illinois 31, Tennessee State 7
2024Tennessee State 41, Eastern Illinois 17
2023Eastern Illinois 30, Tennessee State 17
2022Tennessee State 37, Eastern Illinois 17
2021Tennessee State 28, Eastern Illinois 0
2020Tennessee State 21, Eastern Illinois 20

Around this game

Tennessee State

Eastern Illinois

Ranked games that day

Every game of Week 6