CHARLESTON, Ill. (AP) _ Sherard Poteete ran for three touchdowns Saturday night to lead Southern Illinois to a 34-6 victory over Eastern Illinois.

Leading 20-6 after three quarters, the Salukis (3-0) put the game away in the final period on a 1-yard TD run by Tom Koutsos and Poteete's third score, a 6-yard keeper.

Koutsos had 32 carries for 172 yards and the TD. Poteete was 15-of-26 for 244 yards and also rushed for 72 yards on 13 carries as Southern rolled up 523 yards in total offense.

The Panthers (0-3) were held to only 63 yards rushing. They scored their lone TD in the first quarter when Anthony Buich found Frank Cutolo with a 47-yard scoring pass to cut the deficit to 14-6.

Buich finished 21-of-31 for 269 yards. He was intercepted twice and sacked five times.

Scott Everhart kicked field goals of 24 and 37 yards for the Salukis.