Rittenhouse throws for 3 TDs to lead Illinois State to 31-7 win over Eastern Illinois.

NORMAL, Ill. — Tommy Rittenhouse threw three touchdown passes and Wenkers Wright ran for 150 yards as Illinois State defeated rival Eastern Illinois 31-7 on Saturday.

The Redbirds (3-1) regained the trophy with a dominating defense in the 112th Mid-America Classic that dates back to 1901. Illinois State leads the series 60-43-9.

The Panthers (1-3) took the opening drive 73 yards before losing a fumble on the ISU 2. Rittenhouse capped a 12-play, 98-yard drive with a 31-yard touchdown pass to Daniel Sobkowicz.

Pierce Holley threw an interception two plays later and Rittenhouse turned that into a 12-yard scoring pass to Xavier Loyd.

Sobkowicz scored on a 5-yard reception to end a long drive for a 21-0 lead.

Rittenhouse finished 17 of 22 for 228 yards with Sobkowicz and Loyd both having seven receptions for 93 and 75 yards, respectively. Wright had a touchdown on his 25th and last carry early in the fourth quarter.

MJ Flowers had a 4-yard TD run in the second quarter for the Panthers and finished with 117 yards on 19 carries.