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CHARLESTON, Ill. – Eastern Illinois placed a bulk of the offensive load on two transfers as the Panthers cruised to a 31-6 win over rival Illinois State in the season opener for both clubs. It was the biggest win for the Panthers in the series since the 2002 meeting which EIU won 45-10.

Iowa transfer Jake Christensen finished the evening 14-of-22 for 167 yards and three touchdowns while Florida transfer Mon Williams led the rushing attack with 87 yards on 16 carries with one touchdown.

Christensen completed his first three passes of the night but the Panthers opening drive stalled at their own 38 yard line. The Redbirds put together a solid opening drive with Geno Blow and Drew Kiel marching ISU down to the EIU 34. A pair of penalties and a bad snap on a 51 yard field goal attempt ended the drive.

EIU started its first scoring drive of the night with 1:04 left in the first quarter. Williams rushed for 36 yards on the drive including the score as EIU went up 7-0. Eastern Illinois next scoring chance ended in the end zone as E.J. Jones picked off a Christensen pass.

The left handed quarterback would respond with two long touchdown drives to put EIU up 21-0 with 8:01 left in the third quarter. He hit Jimmy Potempa from 10 yards out and Chris Wright from 12. Christensen's third touchdown pass was from 25 yards to Lorence Ricks with 14:53 left in the game.

Illinois State lone score came on a Kiel pass to Ben Graves with 3:58 left in the third quarter. ISU would finish with only 186 total yards as the Panthers stuffed out the Redbirds running attack allowing only 20 yards.

Nick Nasti led the Panthers with nine tackles and a fumble recovery while Cory Leman had eight tackles. EIU posted four sacks for 26 yards. Jermaine Malcolm led ISU with ten tackles.

EIU will return to action on Sept. 12 with an 11 a.m. kick off at Indiana State.

** Notes **
This was the 98th meeting in the Prairie State Rivalry
ISU head coach Brock Spack was an assistant coach on EIU head coach Bob Spoo's staff from 1987-90.