SAINT CHARLES, Mo. (Interstat) — Nate Glantz threw for two touchdowns and ran for another, and the Lindenwood Lions erupted for 21 fourth-quarter points to pull away from the Eastern Illinois Panthers for a 42-12 victory on Saturday at Hunter Stadium.

The Lions improved to 5-6 on the season, while the Panthers fell to 3-8.

Lindenwood’s offense, led by quarterback Glantz, found its rhythm as the game progressed. After a competitive first half, the Lions steadily built their lead before a dominant final period sealed the win. Glantz, a 6-foot, 206-pound junior from Elkhorn, Nebraska, finished an efficient 13 of 21 for 280 yards through the air, adding 44 yards on nine carries. His favorite targets were Jalen Smith, who hauled in four catches for 101 yards and a touchdown, and Rico Bond, who caught four passes for 65 yards.

The Lions struck first, capping an 11-play, 88-yard drive late in the opening quarter with a 2-yard touchdown run by Glantz. Eastern Illinois responded in the second quarter, putting together a 14-play, 69-yard march that stalled at the Lindenwood 7-yard line, leading to a 25-yard field goal from Nico Carrier to cut the deficit to 7-3.

Lindenwood answered just before halftime, capitalizing on a short field after a blocked punt. Jared Rhodes broke free for an 18-yard touchdown run with 1:43 remaining in the half to give the Lions a 14-3 lead at the break.

The Panthers showed signs of life early in the third quarter. On Lindenwood’s first possession of the second half, defensive back Moses Alexander intercepted a Glantz pass and returned it 39 yards to the Lions’ 12-yard line. The Eastern Illinois offense, however, could not find the end zone and settled for another Carrier field goal, this time from 26 yards, making the score 14-6.

Lindenwood swiftly reestablished control on their next meaningful drive. Rhodes, who was a force on the ground, exploded for a 39-yard touchdown run midway through the third quarter to extend the Lions’ lead to 21-6. Rhodes finished with 76 yards on 10 carries and two touchdowns.

Eastern Illinois quarterback Connor Wolf connected with DeAirious Smith on a 16-yard touchdown pass late in the third quarter, but the Panthers failed on the two-point conversion attempt, leaving the score at 21-12. Wolf, a 6-3, 210-pound quarterback from Ada, Michigan, completed 17 of 29 passes for 130 yards with a touchdown.

Any hope of a Panther comeback was extinguished in the final frame as the Lions’ offense shifted into high gear. Glantz found Smith for a 29-yard scoring strike early in the fourth quarter. After a quick stop by the Lindenwood defense, running back Steve Hall punched in a 5-yard touchdown run to make it 35-12.

Glantz then put an exclamation point on the victory, hitting Drew Krobath for a 44-yard touchdown pass with 8:54 remaining for the final margin of 42-12. Krobath finished with two receptions for 65 yards.

The Lions’ defense was instrumental in the win, consistently pressuring Eastern Illinois quarterbacks and limiting the Panthers’ offense to field goals on promising drives. The Panthers utilized three different quarterbacks, with Cole LaCrue also seeing significant action, completing 8 of 10 passes for 47 yards.

Eastern Illinois running back Charles Kellom was a bright spot for the visitors, grinding out 58 yards on 13 carries. The Panthers’ defense managed two interceptions, with Alexander and Isaiah Houi each coming down with a pick.

The game’s final score fell under the projected over/under line of 49.5 points. Lindenwood will look to secure a winning season when they travel to face Southeast Missouri State next Saturday. Eastern Illinois faces a formidable challenge in its season finale, traveling to face the Alabama Crimson Tide.