CHARLESTON, Ill. (WCIA) – Eastern Illinois football is seeking its first 2-0 start since 2013.

The Panthers beat Dayton in week one and now hit the road to take on Indiana State.

Redshirt sophomore quarterback Cole LaCrue, a Wisconsin transfer, broke the Panthers’ program record for quarterback rushing yards in a game with 193 yards on the ground against the Flyers.

“Going into it, if you told me he was going to have 26 rushing – and the amount of rushes he had between the tackles – that was not probably the number we were hoping for,” Eastern Illinois head football coach Chris Wilkerson said.

It’s an area the Panthers hope to strike a balance in. LaCrue wants to be able to use his legs, but knows he must be smart in order to remain healthy for the full year.

“I got to get as much yards as I can, but ultimately, I want to be safe and protected so I can last the whole year,” LaCrue said. “We will be more safe this week. But at the end of the day, you know, I’m going to keep doing me and keep playing the way I got to play.”

“Some of them are off schedule and he tucks the ball on a drop back pass,” Wilkerson said. “And sometimes it’s taking what the defense gives you. He’s a competitive guy and real gritty. And I know he’s tough as a boot.”

LaCrue credited the Panthers’ defense, which kept them in the game when the offense failed to score in the first half in week one.

The EIU QB is excited about the opportunity to go on the road.

“You kind of get to be the villain,” he said. “You kind of get to prove people wrong, you kind of get to upset people. I kind of like that mentality, I like making people mad.”

Eastern Illinois vs Indiana State is set for a 12:00 p.m. game on Saturday, Sept. 6. The game will air on ESPN+.