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Senior running back Travorus Bess runs past a Murray State defender Saturday at O'Brien Stadium. (Robbie Wroblewski | Daily Eastern News)

Football: Panthers rely on run game against explosive Racers' offense

By: Scott Richey / Sports Editor

Posted: 11/3/08

Eastern rushed for 226 yards as a team en route to its 34-6 victory against Murray State on Saturday afternoon at O'Brien Stadium.

Freshman running back Desmin Ward led the way for the Panthers (4-5, 2-3 Ohio Valley Conference) with 94 yards rushing and three touchdowns on 20 carries. Eastern also got 83 yards rushing from red-shirt senior running back Travorus Bess and 80 yards rushing and one touchdown from red-shirt sophomore running back Chevon Walker.

"I think, obviously, this has been our best game of the year," Eastern head coach Bob Spoo said. "That was as good a game as I've been involved with in a long time. Gosh, 226 running the ball. We didn't have to pass."

Even though Eastern did not need to rely on red-shirt junior quarterback Bodie Reeder, Reeder completed 10-of-11 passes for 68 yards primarily to move the Panthers' offense down the field. His only incompletion was an interception late in the second quarter.

Ward scored the Panthers' first three touchdowns on rushes of one yard, three yards and one yard again to cap multi-play and time consuming Eastern drives.

Walker's 13-yard touchdown run came after a 68-yard punt return by Eastern freshman wide receiver Shawn Williams.

"First you've got to give credit to the offensive line," Walker said. "We performed great as a running back group. All the running backs had opportunities to make big plays."

Ward got more opportunities against the Racers (3-6, 2-3 OVC) than he had in previous games. Ward was primarily the Panthers' running back option for short yardage situations, but he got several carries throughout the game.

"We had a chance to use Desmin Ward out in the middle of the field a little bit," Reeder said. "We gave him a shot out in the middle of the field and he made a couple nice runs."

Reeder said Walker played better against Murray State than he had previously this season.

"Chevy is getting better every week," Reeder said. "He's running downhill and he's making plays in the passing game too."

Walker had one reception for 15 yards to set up Ward's first touchdown of the game. Walker's other touchdown this season also came on a pass from Reeder.

But Spoo was more impressed by Walker's progression as a running back and the overall performance from all three Eastern running backs.

"Chevon started to run north and south a little bit more," Spoo said. "He didn't do a lot of dancing. Travorus put in his usual great effort and Desmin had a big game. Look at their (yard per carry) averages - 4.7, 6.4, 5.7 - just outstanding work. It was big time."

Eastern red-shirt senior fullback Chip Keys said the Panthers' success on the ground started with a solid performance from Eastern's offensive line.

"We just kind of owned them up front all day," Keys said. "Our offensive line really came to play today, and when you can dominate up front like that it makes all the difference in the world."

Red-shirt junior center Chris Vaccaro said the Panthers' offensive line schemed against the Racers' defense well and hit them harder than Murray State hit back.

"They were lining up in a couple of ways that made it real easy to block," Vaccaro said. "It was kind of building up for us to finally have a game where we ran the ball very well and did everything to the best of our abilities."

Murray State was held to just two field goals from freshman kicker Kienan Cullen. Cullen connected on a 19-yard field goal late in the first half and a 34-yard field goal to start the second half.

"To be able to keep them away from a touchdown the way they've been playing, it's outstanding," Spoo said. "Just a great feeling. There's nothing like winning, and I just hope we can keep it going."

Scott Richey can be reached at 581-7944 or at srrichey@eiu.edu.