Former Iowa QB leads Panthers to win

Jake Christensen showed why he was once a full-time starting quarterback in the Big 10 Conference.

Christensen was Iowa's signal caller in 2007, passing for more than 2,200 yards and 17 touchdowns. He lost his job last year, starting just two games, before deciding to use his final season of eligibility at Eastern Illinois.

The Panthers have benefited from that move so far with a 3-0 record after Southeast Missouri State felt Christensen's wrath Saturday.

Christensen, a strong-armed, accurate and mobile left-hander, accounted for 332 yards of total offense as EIU rallied for a 23-14 win in the Ohio Valley Conference opener for both teams.

"Jake really was poised," said EIU coach Bob Spoo, whose squad trailed 14-7 at halftime thanks in large part to lost fumbles inside Southeast's 25-yard line on three straight second-quarter possessions.

Christensen led a dominant second half by the Panthers that saw them outgain Southeast 278 to 103 in total yardage and control the ball for 19 minutes, 35 seconds compared to 10:25 for the Redhawks.

"The turnovers are something we have to clean up," Christensen said. "That's the one positive -- we could have put up more points."

EIU lost its fourth fumble -- and second at Southeast's 1-yard line -- late in the third quarter, but it didn't hurt the Panthers, who outscored the Redhawks 16-0 in the second half.

Christensen completed 19 of 26 passes for 292 yards and two touchdowns. He repeatedly threaded the needle for pin-point throws that usually hit receivers in stride.

Christensen, listed as 6-foot-1 and 215-pounds, also showed great escapability as several times he wriggled out of what appeared to be sure sacks.

Southeast was not credited with a sack as Christensen rushed for 30 yards on seven attempts. But more importantly, his scrambling bought time on pass plays.

"It's important when the play breaks down," Christensen said of his ability to escape pressure.

Spoo said Christensen's mobility should serve the Panthers well as they attempt to bounce back from a losing record in 2008 that followed three straight playoff appearances.

"That's going to be a big plus for us," Spoo said. "He has the mobility to make plays. ... He's a very confident young man."

Southeast coach Tony Samuel came away impressed with Christensen after he led the Panthers to 523 yards of total offense.

"He's a good quarterback," Samuel said. "He escaped a couple of times. That got us."

Christensen wasn't the only one of EIU's 10 Division I-A transfers to burn Southeast.

Junior tailback Mon Williams, who entered the night as the OVC's leading rusher with 200 yards in two games, was held to five first-half yards on four carries.

Williams, a 6-2, 220-pounder who was a three-year squad member at Florida -- he saw little action in 2006 and 2008 while redshirting with an injury in 2007 -- ripped off a 65-yard touchdown run early in the third quarter that tied the contest at 14-14.

Williams finished with 119 yards on 16 carries for an average of 7.4 yards per attempt. He had been averaging 6.5 yards.