Eastern quarterback Jalen Whitlow threw one touchdown and ran for two in the first half, leading the Panthers to a 24-13 halftime lead over Southeast Missouri Saturday in Cape Girardeau, Mo.

After the Redhawks scored, with 6:26 left in the second quarter to cut the Panthers’ advantage to one, Eastern responded with an 11-play, 79-yard drive to extend its lead to 21-13. Whitlow capped off the 4:07 drive, with a 13-yard rushing touchdown.

Freshman Nick Bruno made a 45-yard field goal, with 52 seconds left in the second quarter to give Eastern its 24-13 lead. Bruno has made nine field goals this season as a true freshman.

The Panthers started the scoring on a 50-yard touchdown pass from Whitlow to Adam Drake. The Charleston native finished the first half with four catches, 75 yards and his 50-yard touchdown catch that pulled Eastern ahead 7-0, with 10:37 left in the first quarter.

Southeast Missouri’s defense came up with two fourth-down stops in its own territory, keeping the game close early in the first half. Unfortunately for the Redhawks, their offense could only manage two field goals in the first quarter.

Senior quarterback Kyle Snyder threw a six-yard touchdown to Spencer Davis, on a little pitch play that made it 14-13, halfway through the second quarter.

In a battle of two dual-threat quarterbacks, Whitlow has gotten the best of Snyder in the first half, rushing for 51 yards. His first rushing touchdown was from the three-yard line on a third down and two play.

Snyder fumbled in late in the second quarter, but the Redhawks recovered. With less than 30 seconds left in the half, Snyder threw a jump ball, which Eastern defensive back Anthony Standifer came down with for an interception. The interception prevented a good scoring chance for the Redhawks, who had driven down to the Panthers’ 30-yard line.

Southeast Missouri begins the second half with the ball.

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