Eastern Illinois beats Tennessee Tech 31-24

COOKEVILLE, Tenn. (AP) -- Jimmy Garoppolo completed 27 of 41 passes for 376 yards, three touchdowns and an interception to propel Eastern Illinois past Tennessee Tech 31-24 Saturday.

Trailing 10-0, Garappolo's 61-yard pass to Chavar Watkins put Eastern Illinois (6-3, 5-1 Ohio Valley Conference) on the board and cut the deficit to 10-7 at halftime.

Garappolo's strong second half proved to be the difference. He found Keiondre Gober early in the third quarter on a 2-yard pass to take the lead 14-10.

Tennessee Tech (2-7, 0-6) kept coming, with Darian Stone's 14-yard touchdown pass to Da'Rick Rogers tying the game at 17. Garoppolo answered again, taking the lead for good, finding Chris Wright for a 73-yard bomb and a 24-17 advantage.

A late rushing touchdown by Taylor Duncan extended the lead and dashed the Golden Eagles' hopes.

Eastern Illinois remains in first place in the conference. Tennessee Tech has lost seven straight.

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