BROOKINGS, S.D. (Interstat) — South Dakota State scored in every quarter and pulled away from Eastern Illinois for a 42-7 NCAA Football Championship Division victory Saturday at Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium. The Jackrabbits improved to 4-1, while the Panthers fell to 1-4. The game was tied at 7-7 after the first quarter before South Dakota State took control with 21 points in the second. The Jackrabbits added seven points in the third and seven in the fourth to finish the home win. Eastern Illinois scored its only points in the first quarter and could not answer after halftime.

Josh Holst led South Dakota State by completing 11 of 22 passes for 176 yards and one touchdown, and he added two carries for 8 yards. Holst, a 6-foot-4, 192-pound quarterback from Marengo, Illinois, entered the game after a recent performance against Youngstown State in which he completed 3 of 8 passes for 16 yards and ran once for 6 yards. His passing helped the Jackrabbits control the game after a slow opening period.

Eastern Illinois was led by quarterback Cole LaCrue, who completed 6 of 16 passes for 85 yards and ran 12 times for 24 yards and a touchdown. LaCrue, a 6-foot-1, 205-pound quarterback from Broomfield, Colorado, provided the Panthers’ most consistent production. Jeremiah Salem completed 3 of 4 passes for 28 yards. Salem, a 6-foot-3, 195-pound quarterback from Germantown, Tennessee, saw time in relief. Abbas Clark caught one pass for 5 yards. The Panthers moved the ball at times but managed only one scoring drive, which came in the first quarter. South Dakota State’s defense tightened after that, limiting Eastern Illinois’ chances and forcing the Panthers to play from behind.

Coleman Kuntz was South Dakota State’s top receiver with four receptions for 81 yards. Kuntz, a 6-foot-3, 230-pound tight end from Beaumont, California, gave the Jackrabbits a reliable target over the middle. Ben Brooks caught a 16-yard touchdown pass. Jack Smith added two receptions for 26 yards and returned one punt. Joe Kolega caught one pass for 13 yards, and Grahm Goering had one reception for 10 yards. The Jackrabbits’ passing game spread the ball among several targets and kept Eastern Illinois’ defense off balance.

South Dakota State opened the scoring with 11:56 remaining in the first quarter when Josiah Johnson ran left for an 18-yard touchdown. Tristan Alvano made the extra point. Eastern Illinois answered later in the first quarter to tie the game at 7-7. The Jackrabbits then scored three touchdowns in the second quarter to build a 28-7 halftime lead. Alvano missed a 41-yard field goal attempt with 47 seconds left before halftime. South Dakota State added touchdowns in the third and fourth quarters to complete the scoring. The Jackrabbits’ offense found a rhythm after the first quarter and controlled the pace for most of the final three periods.

Jes Krcil led South Dakota State with 12 tackles. Blake Leiferman added five tackles. Joe Ollman and Cullen McShane each finished with four tackles. Luke Krempges, Bryce Johnson, Dontay Johnson and Dawson Ripperda each recorded three tackles. Bergan Tetzlaff had three tackles and one sack. Maverick LeBrun added two tackles and one sack. Chase Van Tol and Max Stanard each made two tackles. Amaje Parker, Beau Bakken and Michael Farr III also had two tackles. Reis Kirschenman, Mitchell Guthmiller, Emeir White, Carter Sitzman, Boden Schiller, Noah St-Juste, Noah Luginbill, Paul Kim, Zac Van Meeteren, Liam Shaw, Matt Goehring, Jace Sifore and Noah Thompson each contributed at least one tackle. Logan Green recorded one quarterback hurry, and Jace Sifore added one quarterback hurry.

Eastern Illinois’ defense was paced by Lonnie Burt with nine tackles. Ja’Wuan Nickson had eight tackles. Nasir Maryland added five tackles. Mafileo Tupou finished with four tackles. Kaleb Lyons had three tackles. Erik Hehl and Aidan Archibald each made two tackles. The Panthers’ defense received contributions from across the lineup but could not slow South Dakota State’s offense consistently. Burt and Nickson combined for 17 tackles, giving Eastern Illinois a strong effort in the middle of the field.

South Dakota State’s special teams were steady. Max Pelham punted twice for 89 yards. Alex Uchtman returned two punts for 17 yards. Jack Smith had one punt return. Tristan Alvano made an extra point and missed a 41-yard field goal in the second quarter. Reis Kirschenman and Ife Current also appeared on special teams. Brady Schroedermeier and other reserves saw action as the Jackrabbits protected their lead. The Jackrabbits also got sacks from Tetzlaff and LeBrun, helping limit Eastern Illinois’ opportunities.

South Dakota State’s victory moved the Jackrabbits to 4-1 on the season. Eastern Illinois fell to 1-4. South Dakota State is scheduled to visit Illinois State next. Eastern Illinois is set to visit Gardner-Webb next. The Jackrabbits have won four of their first five games, while the Panthers continue to search for consistency during the early portion of their schedule. South Dakota State has scored at least 27 points in three of its first five games, while Eastern Illinois has struggled to find offensive rhythm since its season-opening win over Murray State.

The Jackrabbits finished with a commanding advantage in total production, using a productive passing game and a defense that recorded multiple tackles for loss. Holst spread the ball to Kuntz, Brooks, Smith, Kolega and Goering. Kuntz’s 81 receiving yards were the most by any receiver in the game. Brooks’ touchdown catch capped a South Dakota State drive and helped the Jackrabbits maintain momentum. Smith’s 26 receiving yards and Uchtman’s punt returns gave South Dakota State good field position throughout. The Jackrabbits also controlled the line of scrimmage, with Tetzlaff and LeBrun each recording sacks and Krcil leading a tackling effort that held Eastern Illinois to one score.

Eastern Illinois struggled to move the ball consistently. LaCrue provided the Panthers’ most consistent production with his arm and legs, but the Jackrabbits’ defense tightened in the red zone. Salem completed three passes in relief. Clark’s 5-yard reception was the only catch listed for Eastern Illinois. The Panthers’ defense received strong efforts from Burt and Nickson, who combined for 17 tackles, but Eastern Illinois could not keep pace after the first quarter. The Panthers will look to correct their offensive issues before their next game.

Interstat’s game simulator projected a final score of South Dakota State 42, Eastern Illinois 25. Interstat’s ELO system had projected South Dakota State with a 99.3 percent probability to win. Eastern Illinois had been installed as a pregame favorite with a spread of plus-34.5. The total score of 49 went over the over-under line of 53.5.