Illinois State drubs Eastern Illinois behind Annexstad 35-7

NORMAL, Ill. (AP) — Zack Annexstad threw for two touchdowns and ran for another and Illinois State’s defense came up with a two pick-6s as the Redbirds stymied Eastern Illinois in a 35-7 win. Jeff Bowens intercepted the Panthers’ Jonah O’Brien and returned it 40 yards for a score to make it 21-7 with 1:09 before halftime. Deandre Lamont later picked O’Brien and ran it in from 3 yards at the beginning of the third quarter. O’Brien threw an 11-yard touchdown to DeWayne Cooks Jr. to knot it a 7 with 3:09 left in the first.