CHARLESTON, Ill. – On a night in which Eastern Illinois set three records, the Panthers picked up a lopsided 57-24 victory over Illinois State in the 102nd playing of the Mid-America Classic. The 57 points were the most by the Panthers in the rivalry game topping last year's 51 points.

EIU, ranked No. 9 in this week's FCS poll, improved to 3-0. ISU which was ranked as high as No. 16 fell to 0-2.

Erik Lora started the series of records as he caught his third pass midway through the second half moving into first place on the OVC career receptions list. Lora finished with ten catches for 186 yards and three touchdowns.

Jimmy Garoppolo tied the school record in the first half with his sixth touchdown pass connecting with Lora for 13 yards with 4:49 left to play in the half. Garoppolo nearly set the school record on the Panthers final drive of the half as EIU settled for a Cameron Berra 38-yard field goal as time expired to lead 44-10.

Garoppolo would get the school record in the second half hitting Lora again from seven yards out with 13:55 left to play. He now stands alone in the record books passing Jeff Christensen and Tony Romo's mark of six.

Garoppolo joked after the game about how Christensen, his former high school quarterback coach, sent him a text about breaking the record.

"It was pretty cool to break two records in one night," said Garoppolo on his and Lora's individual accomplishments. "Jeff Christensen sent me a text congratulating me on breaking his school record after the game. I didn't even know it had happened until someone on the sideline tapped me on the shoulder and told me what we just did."

The biggest number was posted by the Panthers entire offensive unit as they amassed 739 yards of total offense, throwing for 491 and rushing for 248. That number broke the previous school record of 683 set by Sean Payton and company against Winona State back in 1986.

Garoppolo finished his day 26-of-41 for 480 yards and seven touchdowns. His long pass was an 86-yard strike to Keiondre Gober with four seconds left in the first quarter which put EIU up 27-7. Garoppolo also hit Lora for a 63-yard strike in the first quarter.

Shepard Little paced the running game with 129 yards on seven carries including a 73-yard touchdown run in the second half. Adam Drake caught 11 passes for 176 yards and two scores.

Illinois State actually opened the game with a lead as the Redbirds marched 64 yards and scored on a 22-yard touchdown pass from Jared Barnett to Anthony Warrum. EIU's defense then clamped down as the Panthers forced four turnovers – three interceptions and one forced fumble and recovery by Jourdan Wickliffe as an ISU receiver was about to score from the two-yard line.

The Redbirds tacked on two second half touchdowns by Cameron Meredith as EIU stuffed the ISU run game limiting them to 115 yards on 36 carries.

"Our team was locked in for this game," said head coach Dino Babers. "Our defense forced four turnovers which just gave our offense four extra chances to try and score. I have never seen a team this focused for a game. Jimmy (Garoppolo) was a master tonight. He just took the ball and ran with it tonight. I keep telling you guys he is a really good player who you will see playing on Sunday's next year."

The Panther defense was led by former Redbird Pat Wertz who recorded six tackles with three tackles for loss and two sacks. LeQuince McCall had a team high seven tackles and one interception.

EIU returns to action next Saturday at 6 p.m. at Northern Illinois. NIU is 2-0 after a win at Idaho. The game has been picked up to air on ESPN3.