Eastern is being more generous with the football than Panthers’ head coach Bob Spoo and offensive coordinator John Carr would like.

Eastern’s offense can take one aspect away from its trip to Columbia, Mo., and that is the belief of being a 37-yard field goal away from holding a 3-0 lead.

However, the Panthers were convinced that it was going to take a perfect performance to defeat the I-A Missouri Tigers.

“I thought all week long that we were going to have to play flawlessly to compete with them,” starting quarterback Andy Vincent said.

Although the Panthers offense struggled and got shutout for the first time since 1998, the perception was they had success moving the football.

“We were moving the ball, but not quite far enough,” Vincent said.

The problem with the Panthers offense was the mistakes made early in the possession involving penalties and turnovers.

“We hurt ourselves on early downs and it’s third and 10,” Vincent said. “At that point, they’re coming with an all-out blitz. We’re forced to slow a quick route that gets seven and eight yards.”

Eastern lost three fumbles and threw a late interception during the 37-0 loss to Missouri. The fumbles stalled key drives that could have ended in points for the Panthers.

“Turnovers are huge because of momentum drop and the short field we give the defense,” Vincent said.

The defense only allowed two scoring drives over 38 yards against the Missouri offense.

“If you turn the ball over and give your opposition extra chances, they are going to beat you,” Spoo said.

After viewing film of the first two games, Vincent concluded the offense has moved the ball but failed to convert the drives.

“If we don’t hurt ourselves with turnovers, we are moving the ball just fine,” Vincent said. “We just have to get four to five yards on first down.”

The John Carr system of offense continues to be aggressive within reason but has failed to open up and take several chances this season.

“We are an attacking offense even though it doesn’t look like it,” Vincent said. “What coach Carr preaches is to take what the defense gives us and to not take unnecessary chances.”

Vincent admits some of the Panther turnovers could happen again because they are physical mistakes instead of a mental lapse during the game.

“Turnovers are going to happen,” Vincent said. “When the helmet hits the ball, the ball is going to pop loose but the turnovers due to lack of preparation are what we watch out for.”

The one constant mistake Vincent can work on in practice is the opposing defensive line batting down passes.

“First of all, I could get a little more depth in the pocket but also move in the pocket,” Vincent said. “I just don’t think that will be a problem later in the year.”

The offensive line is the key to limiting turnovers because Vincent will have more time to throw and the running backs could make more third and short situations.

“We have a really good crew at the offensive front and they can only get better over time,” Vincent said.

Vincent said offensive football is a real simple game.

“It’s penalties, sacks and turnovers that set this team back in the early downs,” Vincent said. “It’s nothing we can’t immediately fix.”