Lindenwood rallies past Eastern Illinois with four TDs in second half

In a thrilling matchup on Saturday, Lindenwood overcame a 17-point deficit to defeat Eastern Illinois 28-25 in their Big South-Ohio Valley Conference opener. The game took place in Charleston, Illinois, where Nate Glantz led the Lions with an impressive second-half performance, throwing four touchdown passes to Jeff Caldwell. After being shut out in the first half, Lindenwood's offense came alive, scoring four unanswered touchdowns to take the lead. Glantz's passing included touchdowns of 11, 22, and 74 yards, showcasing his ability to connect with Caldwell effectively. Eastern Illinois initially dominated the game, with Pierce Holley throwing a 15-yard touchdown pass to Cooper Willman on the opening drive and scoring himself shortly after. The Panthers extended their lead with a field goal, leaving Lindenwood in a challenging position at halftime. However, the Lions regrouped and executed a remarkable comeback in the second half, demonstrating resilience and skill. Despite a late surge from Eastern Illinois, which included a touchdown pass and a two-point conversion, they fell short when a potential game-tying field goal attempt was missed in the closing seconds. Holley had a strong performance, completing 26 of 43 passes for 326 yards, but it was not enough to secure a victory. This game marked a significant turnaround for Lindenwood, improving their record to 2-3, while Eastern Illinois dropped to 1-4. The outcome highlights the unpredictable nature of college football and the importance of perseverance in competitive sports.