Eastern’s offensive coaching staff easily explained the two-week struggle involving the passing game with two reasons.

“I think it’s because we’ve been running the ball so well and (red-shirt freshman) Mike Donato has had some bad luck,” Eastern offensive coordinator Mark Hutson said.

Eastern’s signal caller had three of the interceptions that Hutson called “things we just can’t plan for” after viewing the film with him.

“The first one was a matter of keeping the receiver on his feet because (receiver) Ryan (Voss) fell on that turf at Murray State,” Hutson said. “The second one: the linebacker held Vincent on a dump off and he threw it to the spot he would’ve been, and the third one hit off somebody’s helmet.”

Saturday was the first game where Donato had thrown an interception since the 27-6 loss at home against Illinois State.

“I think Mike has showed some real poise at quarterback this season and has been a real leader on this football team,” Hutson said.

Through six games, Donato has averaged 142 yards passing with 6 touchdown passes to go along with 6 interceptions.

With the Panthers owning a perfect 4-0 record in the Ohio Valley Conference, Hutson sees Donato in at least one of the four final games being in a position to lead the Panthers on a late-game winning drive.

“He knows that we are going to get everybody’s best shot and that starts this Saturday with Tennessee-Martin,” Hutson said. “He’ll be ready to lead us if that comes up.”

Hutson also stressed that running the ball this week against the Skyhawks might be more of a challenge because of the defense they will show Eastern.

“Like Murray State, they are going to put up an 8-man front in hopes of slowing (junior tailback) Vincent Webb down,” he said. “We had success Saturday so we hope for the same.”

Eastern’s offensive staff is also not worried about catching any verbal criticism from the defensive staff after the offense was outscored 21-14.

“If they want to do that every week, I’ll be all for it,” Hutson said. “Last time I checked we ride the same bus and play on the same team so it’s perfectly fine.”