After last week's double-overtime thriller in Carbondale, the Eastern Illinois University Panthers made sure to lessen the stress in their home opener.
The lop-sided 57 to 24 victory over the Illinois State Redbirds marked 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 in Normal.
Panther's quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo was named the Ohio Valley Conference Player of the Week for his impressive performance against the Redbirds.
The senior field general set the EIU single game record for touchdown passes with seven.
The Panthers look to stay undefeated as they travel to Dekalb to take on the Northern Illinois Huskies.