TERRE HAUTE, Ind.-Two big plays within three minutes decided the contest. Eastern made them while Indiana State watched them.

The Panthers won its first road opener since 2001 in a 24-13 victory over Indiana State Thursday. With the score tied at 10, Eastern quarterback Mike Donato hit junior wide receiver Charles Owens on a perfectly timed 40 yard slant route to the end zone that gave the Panthers a lead they’d never relinquish.

“It was a timing route with them playing cover too,” Donato said. “Charles was there, made a big catch and a big run.”

Donato ended the game with 225 total yards (158 passing, 67 rushing) and a pair of touchdowns through the air. The next drive by Indiana state (0-1) sealed the game as quarter back Blaine Baggett pass was intercepted by junior safety Tristan Burge and taken for six points the other way making the score 24-10.

“I thought Tristan would have a bigger impact earlier on defense,” Eastern defensive coordinator Roc Bellantoni said. “At half time I got in his face and let him know he needed to step up.”

Eastern was able to hold ISU to only a field goal for the final 23 minutes of the game to preserve the win. The last time eastern held an opponent under 14 points on the road was in 2001 during its 38-10 win at Florida Atlantic. Eastern (1-0) started the fun on the opening kick off as Burge ran it back 52 yards to give the panthers solid field position inside sycamore territory.

Donato lead a near perfect opening drive that led to Eastern putting the first points on the board.

“I thought that with all the unknown, Mike played poise and had an exceptional ball game,” Eastern offensive coordinator Mark Hutson said.

The sophomore from Broadview found Owens on a swing pass for a 17-yard touch down. The Panthers fastest receiver went untouched past two ISU defenders to put eastern up 7-0 early in the first quarter.

Indiana State failed to answer quickly due to Eastern’s ability to win the field position battle early. Both of Eastern’s rugby-style punts Senior Tom Schofield made were down inside the 10.

“I told Tom that was an all-star performance,” Eastern special teams coordinator Tom Choate said. “He was unbelievable.”

Once the Sycamores had an opportunity to start a drive beyond its own 20; they put a dent on the scoreboard.

ISU’s spread offense that had Baggett in the shotgun utilized several short passes and draws to march down the field. The 15-play, 70-yard drive ended when Eastern held on a 3rd and 10.

Indiana State cut the deficit to 7-3 after senior All-American kicker Kyle Hooper split the uprights on a 25-yarder. Momentum shifted to the host’s side when Baggett completed a 35-yard touchdown pass to tight end Mike Beste to tie the score at 10 heading into the locker room.

The Panthers had multiple opportunities to lead after the first 30 minutes but a pair of drops and a fumble by junior split end Ryan Voss immediately ended that hope for Eastern.

“With all the mistakes and turnovers we all thought we could have been up by two touchdowns at least,” Donato said.

Eastern will next play Brigham Young on Sept. 10 at Provo, Utah and on the same day Indiana State will host NAIA St. Francis.