The Eastern football team led by its Walter Payton Award candidates, quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo and wide receiver Erik Lora, head into halftime with a 42-0 lead over Austin Peay.

The Panthers offense scored four straight touchdowns in the first quarter, led by running back Taylor Duncan, who scored the first two on the ground. Duncan finished the first half with 75 rushing yards on nine attempts.

Eastern’s other running back, Shepard Little then scored on a 43-yard screen pass from Garoppolo that followed an Austin Peay fumble. Little also gave Duncan a breather in the running game in the second quarter, rushing for 67 yards on seven carries.

Garoppolo then connected with Lora twice, once at the end of the first quarter and again with 1:11 left in the half, for touchdowns.

Lora has four catches for 67 yards and he also caught a pass for a two-point conversion after a Garoppolo one-yard rushing touchdown.

Garoppolo enters the second half 16-of-23 passing for 209 yards and three touchdowns to go along with his rushing touchdown.

The Governors have turned the ball over twice on fumbles, which have led to Panther points.

Aldo Soto can be reached at 581-2812 or [email protected]