Jackrabbits dump No. 15 SIU, 31-10

Saturday, October 16

Carbondale, Ill.

2 p.m.

South Dakota State University

2-4 , 2-2

Southern Illinois

3-4 , 2-2

Team	1st	2nd	3rd	4th	Final F
South Dakota State	0	14	7	10	31
Southern Illinois	0	3	0	7	10

10/16/2010 6:40:00 PM | Football

Box Score

By: SDSU Sports Info

CARBONDALE, Ill. - The South Dakota State defense held 15th-ranked Southern Illinois without a touchdown through the first three quarters and Kyle Minett rushed for a season-high 144 yards and two touchdowns as the Jackrabbits posted a convincing 31-10 victory Saturday afternoon at Saluki Stadium.

In defeating a ranked opponent for the second consecutive week, the Jackrabbits improved to 2-4 overall and evened their Missouri Valley Football Conference record at 2-2. SIU dropped to 3-4 overall and 2-2 in league play.

Cole Brodie put SDSU out front as he picked off a Paul McIntosh pass in the right flat and returned his second interception of the season for an 87-yard touchdown with 6 minutes, 54 seconds remaining in the second quarter.

The Jackrabbit offense found the end zone five minutes later as Aaron Rollin made a diving catch on a 6-yard pass from Thomas O'Brien. Rollin's first career touchdown capped an 11-play, 62-yard drive.

SIU answered with a 38-yard field goal by Kyle Dougherty with 28 seconds remaining in the half as the Salukis moved 45 yards on nine plays.

The Jackrabbits put the game out of reach with a pair of touchdowns 57 seconds apart bridging the third and fourth quarters. Minett, who moved into second place on the SDSU career rushing charts, scored from a yard out with 49 seconds remaining in the third quarter to finish off a nine-play, 49-yard drive.

On the ensuing kickoff, Jackrabbit redshirt freshman R.C. Kilgore fell on a loose ball in the middle of the field, setting SDSU up at the SIU 28-yard line.

On the first play of the fourth quarter, Minett faked a handoff from the Flash formation and rambled 22 yards for the score.

SDSU scored again on its next possession as backup kicker Peter Reifenrath connected on a 35-yard field goal. Reifenrath handled the placekicking duties after Kyle Harris missed a 33-yard attempt on the Jackrabbits' opening drive of the game. Reifenrath made his only field goal attempt and all four extra-point tries.

SIU notched its lone touchdown with 4:08 to play in the game as reserve quarterback Chris Dieker led a 16-play, 80-yard drive that ended with a 10-yard touchdown pass to Joe Allaria.

The Salukis recovered the onside kick and moved to the SDSU 8-yard line before Brodie recorded his second interception of the game to ice the Jackrabbits' first victory over SIU.

Minett's 144 yards came on 30 carries as he upped his career rushing total to 3,757 yards, passing Anthony Watson (3,712 yards from 2003-06). A Walter Payton Award nominee, Minett racked up 100 yards for the fifth consecutive game and 19th time in his career.

O'Brien finished the game 12-of-20 passing for 103 yards, with Colin Cochart and Tyrel Kool each tallying four receptions for 42 and 36 yards, respectively.

Derek Domino paced the Jackrabbit defense with nine tackles, while Brodie was one of four SDSU players with seven tackles. Andy Mink was credited with 1.5 sacks among his seven tackles.

For SIU, Shariff Harris tallied 65 yards on 15 carries and McIntosh added 59 yards on 14 attempts. McIntosh was limited to 3-of-13 passing for 40 yards before being pulled at halftime, while Dieker finished 14-of-24 for 141 yards.

Joe Okon turned in a game-high 13 tackles for SIU. E.J. Clark made 10 stops.

SDSU returns home to face Youngstown State in the 97th Hobo Day game on Oct. 23. Kickoff is slated for 2:05 p.m. at Coughlin-Alumni Stadium.

NOTES: SIU leads the all-time series 2-1 ... SDSU has now defeated every Missouri Valley Football Conference member and upped its all-time league mark to 15-5 ... the Jackrabbits improved to 11-22 against ranked FCS opponents, including 2-2 this season ... Minett gained 51 yards in the first quarter ... Brodie's touchdown was the first of his career and the first interception return for a touchdown by a Jackrabbit since Derek Domino returned one 22 yards at Minnesota on Nov. 14, 2009 ... SDSU has yet to score in the first quarter this season ... attendance was listed at 11,136