E. Illinois thumps E. Kentucky in OVC opener, 42-7

Published Sep. 28, 2013 7:29 p.m. ET

foxsports

Jimmy Garoppolo threw for 322 yards and three touchdowns as Eastern Illinois thrashed Eastern Kentucky, 42-7, in the Ohio Valley Conference opener for both schools.

Garoppolo, who completed 26 of 39 attempts, combined with Keiondre Gober on 30- and 40-yard touchdown passes in the first and third quarters, respectively, and threw a 21-yard score to Jeff LePak as the Panthers (4-1, 1-0 Ohio Valley) built a 35-0 lead at halftime. EIU was a combined 35 of 52 through the air for 407 yards and four touchdowns.

Anthony Goodman scooped up a Jared McClain fumble and returned it 70 yards for a touchdown to cap the first-half rout.

Six runners combined to gain 169 yards on the ground for the Colonels (2-3, 0-1 Ohio Valley), who avoided the shutout with a 14-play, 75-yard drive that saw Caleb Watkins score from the 3 with 3:33 left in the game.