Opponent Insight: Southern Illinois

Scouting Report: Southern Illinois

Southern Illinois Salukis (Record: 2-7, 1-5 in MVFC)
The Series (From SIU): It will be just the ninth meeting between the Jackrabbits and Salukis, fourth time in Carbondale, Ill. South Dakota State has beaten Southern Illinois five out of the last six times and is 3-1 against them in their home stadium. The last loss came in Brookings in 2013 and the last loss in Saluki Stadium is in 2008.

South Dakota State vs. Southern Illinois All-Time (Started in 2008):

Date	Location	Result
2017	Brookings	W, 49-14
2016	Carbondale	W, 45-39
2013	Brookings	L, 27-24
2012	Carbondale	W, 16-12
2011	Brookings	W, 45-34
2010	Carbondale	W, 31-10
2009	Brookings	L, 34-15
2008	Carbondale	L, 38-35

The Jacks have won two straight in the series, averaging 47 points per game over the same stretch. Four games have been won by more than 10 points while the other four have been within one possession.

Jackrabbit QB Taryn Christion is 2-0 vs. the Salukis. 2017 vs. SIU (W, 49-14: 16-30 for 216 yards and four TDs, seven carries for 19 yards), 2016 at SIU (W, 45-39: 32-51 for 466 yards and five TDs, seven carries for nine yards)

Offense: The offense averages 30.7 points per game (39th nationally) while gaining 434.8 yards per game - 32nd nationally (213.3 rushing - 25th nationally, 221.4 passing) and scored 16 TDs on the ground and 16 through the air ... they have totaled 1,920 rushing yards on 411 attempts (4.7 per rush) while thrown for 1,993 yards on 183-315 (58.1%) and thrown 10 INTs (6.3 yards per attempt) ... they have picked up 227 total first downs (118 by rush, 84 by pass, 25 by penalty) while converting 58-137 (42.3%) on third down and 10-18 (55.6%) on fourth down ... they have fumbled 17 times, losing nine of them, and had 24 sacks through nine games ... out of 42 red zone attempts - they have scored on 35 of them and scored TDs in 27 ... scoring by quarter - First: 66, Second: 89, Third: 62, Fourth: 59

Defense: Opponents have scored 36.2 points per game, throwing 20 passing TDs and rushing for 20 ... opponents have gained 3,998 yards of total offense (444.2 per game, 6.2 per play) with 1,764 yards on the ground from 354 attempts (196.0 per game, 5.0 per carry) and thrown for 2,234 yards on 295 attempts (248.2 per game, 7.6 per attempt) ... picked up 208 first downs (91 by rush, 90 by pass, 27 by penalty) and they have been 44-118 on third down (37.3%) and 7-10 on fourth down (70.0%) ... opponents have fumbled nine times (lost four) and thrown 11 interceptions - having a -4 turnover margin - while committing 75 penalties for 748 yards ... scoring by quarter - First: 69, Second: 89, Third: 69, Fourth: 99.

Salukis' Players to Watch
OFFENSE
QB Matt DeSommer (#7, SR, 6-0, 215): Has started the last three games and one other game at Youngstown State ... has played WR, DB, KR, and QB this season ... listed as the starting QB vs. SDSU ... 1-3 as a starting QB ... has recorded stats in all but two games this season (Ole Miss, SEMO) ... in his first major action in start vs. Youngstown State, as Straub was out with a concussion - going 12-28 (42.9%) with 105 yards and 15 rushing attempts for 100 yards and a TD ... Straub returned to the starting lineup the following week at Illinois State, but DeSommer has earned the starting nod in the last three games (Indiana State, Missouri State, Western Illinois) ... is 49-70 (70.0%) for 579 yards and six TDs with two INTs ... has five TDs and one INT in the last two games ... has also added 56 rush attempts for 242 yards and one TD on the ground in the last three games ... his favorite target has been Leonhard - who have 17 catches for 236 yards and a TD in the last three games.

QB Sam Straub (#4, SR, 6-4, 247): Started the first four games of the season and another one later at Illinois State ... returning from a concussion ... listed as the second-string QB vs. SDSU ... 1-4 as the starting QB ... is 118-208 (56.7%) for 1,250 yards and nine TDs with eight INTs ... rushed for 41 attempts for 148 yards and two TDs ... has thrown an INT and a TD in four of the five games played, with multiple INTs and TDs in three of the four ... his best performance was at Ole Miss, throwing for 382 yards and four TDs with two INTs on 47 attempts ... In his lone win of the season, was 16-29 for 107 yards and one TD and INT ... had three consecutive 300-plus passing games and two 100-yard performances ... has not thrown less than 29 attempts in each game he's played ... was 16-31 (51.6%) for 179 yards and one TD and two INTs with 20 yards rushing and a TD in 2017 vs. SDSU.

RB D.J. Davis (#9, JR, 5-8, 168): Has started all games this year at RB ... listed as the starter vs. SDSU ... leads the team in rushing attempts (156), yards (866), and rushing TDs (6) ... no other player has more than 80 rushing attempts and 450 yards on the year ... averages 96.2 per game, 5.6 per carry ... third on the team in receptions with 25 and fifth in yards (160) ... averages 17.8 yards per game, 6.4 per catch ... has rushed for over a 100 yards in five of the nine games - nearly six - and has a high of 172 yards (vs. SEMO) ... has three TDs rushing in the past two games after having just three in the prior seven games ... has have multiple receptions in every game by one, having 10 in the last three games for 68 yards ... has returned kicks and punt a few times throughout the season ... had one carry for eight yards in the matchup last year.

RB Jonathon Mixon (#39, SR, 5-11, 230): Started one game this season at the Flex position ... listed as the second-string RB vs. SDSU ... third on the team in attempts (56), yards (244), and rushing TDs (4) ... other than the QBs and Davis, no other player has more than 20 attempts rushing ... averages 40.7 yards per game, 4.4 per attempt ... had his best outing in the last game - vs. Western Illinois - having 20 attempts for 71 yards and a score ... has scored a TD in each of the last three games.

TE Nigel Kilby (#13, JR, 6-8, 250): Started one game at tight end this season ... listed as the second-string TE vs. SDSU ... is fifth on the team in receptions (15), but third in yards (214) and leads the team in TD receptions (6) ... while being fifth in receptions, no other player have more than eight receptions ... averages 30.6 yards per game and 14.3 per catch ... has scored TDs in four of the seven games, with two two-touchdown performances in the last four games ... had a season-high seven catches and 109 yards vs. South Dakota ... has five catches in the last three games for 56 yards and two scores.

WR Laden Lenoir (#17, SO, 5-11, 190): Started the last four games at WR and three more at the Flex position ... listed as the started WR ... second on the team in receptions (39) and receiving yards (392), while tied for the third-most TD catches (2) ... no other player has more than 220 receiving yards and 25 catches on the year ... averages 43.6 yards per game, 10.1 per catch ... had tallied multiple receptions in every game this year - including a season-high nine for 83 yards and a score at Ole Miss ... has posted 50-plus yards in each of the last two games on eight catches and one score ... other than that, has not been over 50 yards since the second and third game of the season.

WR Ralph Leonard (#11, SR, 6-2, 193): Has started all games this year at WR and listed as the starter vs. SDSU ... leads the team in receptions (52), yards (703), and second-most TD catches (5) ... no other receiver has more than 40 catches and 400 yards ... one of four Salukis that have multiple TDs on the year ... averages 78.1 yards per game, 13.5 yards per catch ... one of two receivers to play all nine games and has the longest play from scrimmage - a 70-yard catch from Straub - so far this season ... had multiple receptions in every game this year - including a season-high of 11 for 124 and two scores vs. SEMO ... had six catches for 117 and two scores in the game prior at Ole Miss ... has posted 14 catches for 200 yards and a score in the last two games ... has been held under 50 yards in only three games with one where he had 49 yards ... had one catch for 39 yards and a score last year vs. SDSU.

DEFENSE
DE Anthony Knighton (#11, SO, 6-2, 253): Started all of the games this year and is listed as the starter vs. SDSU ... leads the team in TFLs (10.5) and sacks (6.5) while posting 33 tackles (22 solo) and one INT with three pass breakups and five QB hurries ... has had one TFL in all but two games this season, including four games with multiple ... registered a sack in five of the nine games ... has had 13 tackles in the last two games and 21 in the last four ... recorded his lone INT last time out vs. Western Illinois and one pass breakup.

LB Airan Reed (#3, JR, 6-2, 228): Started all of the games this year and is listed as the starter vs. SDSU ... has 33 tackles for the team, 21 solo, and 6.5 TFLs - one of them a sack - and two INTs on the season ... also notched four pass breakups at LB ... has had five-plus tackles in four of the last five games with 6.5 TFLs and one sack ... notched 2.5 TFLs and a pass breakup last time out vs. Western Illinois ... had an INT vs. Youngstown State ... had four tackles in the 2017 matchup vs. SDSU.

LB Bryce Notree (#54, SO, 6-2, 235): Started all of the games this year and is listed as the starter vs. SDSU ... leads the team in tackles (68) while adding 44 solo stops, five TFLs, two sacks, and two INTs this season ... has notched one pass breakup and three QB hurries ... registered five-plus tackles in all but two games - with three double-digit performances ... only had three tackles last time out vs. Western Illinois but had 19 tackles in the two games prior ... only one TFL in the last five games, but has recorded an INT at Missouri State ... had two tackles last year vs. SDSU.

LB Luke Giegling (#34, RFR, 6-4, 211): Has started the last five games at LB ... listed as the starter vs. SDSU ... third on the team in tackles (42) while adding 3.5 TFLs - 2.5 sacks - and one INT, pass breakup and QB hurry ... has 27 solo stops ... recorded seven-plus tackles in three of the last four games, with highs of 10, nine, and seven ... recorded 3.5 TFLs in the first five games and none since ... recorded his lone INT at Illinois State.

DB Jeremy Chinn (#2, JR, 6-2, 211): Has started in all but one game this year, including the first five at safety, missed one game, then returned to safety, and is now moved to a CB position the last two times out ... listed as the starting CB ... second on the team in tackles (55) while leading the unit in solo stops (46) and INTs (3) and pass breakups (7) ... two forced fumbles on the docket - the only defender with multiple - and one blocked kick - one of three Salukis ... had five-plus tackles in all but one game this year, including 27 in the last four games ... had an INT and two pass breakups the last time out vs. Western Illinois while having an INT in back-to-back games (USD, YSU) ... fourth on the team in tackles a year ago vs. SDSU (5).

DB Joe Patterson (#32, SO, 5-11, 182): Started the last four games at safety and is listed as the starting free safety vs. SDSU ... has the sixth-most tackles on the team (35), including 26 solo stops and one TFL ... has posted three pass breakups as well as playing in all nine games ... recorded 28 tackles in the last four games, including one TFL and three pass breakups ... had six tackles in the opener and then one the next four games.

DB Michael Elbert (#37, RFR, 6-0, 185): Has made four starts throughout the season at safety ... listed as the second-string safety behind Brown vs. SDSU ... tied for the fourth-most tackles (39), including 30 solo stops ... has one INT that he took 55 yards and two pass breakups, and one fumble recovery for a 74-yard TD ... had back-to-back double-digit tackle games (SEMO, USD) and followed it up with an eight-tackle performance at YSU ... had six tackles the last time he played with one INT and one pass breakup at Missouri State.

DB Qua Brown (#24, SO, 5-10, 200): Started three games this year at safety, including the last time out ... listed as the starting safety vs. SDSU ... leads the team in fumble recoveries - two in the same game - and has 22 tackles (13 solo) ... has one forced fumble vs. WIU ... in the four games he's played, he's had nine and 10 tackles in two games - 10 vs. Western Illinois ... had two tackles in 2017 vs. SDSU.

Game-by-Game Recap (From Southern Illinois, 2-7, MVFC: 1-5):
Nov. 3 vs. Western Illinois (L, 34-31): Western Illinois scored 20 unanswered points in the fourth quarter, including a 33-yard game-winning field goal with 13 seconds left, to hand Southern Illinois another heart-breaking loss, 34-31, on Saturday at Saluki Stadium.

The Salukis looked well on their way to their first two-game winning streak of the season after WR Raphael Leonard caught a 30-yard touchdown pass from QB Matt DeSomer late in the third quarter to put SIU up, 31-14. The TD capped off 24-straight points for Southern during a span in which the defense held the Leathernecks scoreless for nearly 30 minutes of game clock.

Western finally put points on the board early in the fourth quarter with a 34-yard field goal to make it 31-17. Danger signs started flashing for Southern on its next drive, however, when RB Jonathan Mixon fumbled on first down, giving the Leathernecks a short field. Eight plays and 34 yards later, they dove into the end zone from four yards out to cut the deficit to 31-24 with 10:50 to go.

The events of Western's game-tying drive were symbolic of what has been a frustrating, oh-so-close season for Southern. After pinning the Leathernecks at their own four-yard line with 7:24 remaining, SIU was hit with two-straight pass interference penalties on deep downfield throws - one against LB Bryce Notree and the other on DB Madre Harper. Those flags bailed Western out of bad field position.

Two plays later, the defense appeared to come up with the game-winning turnover. DE Anthony Knighton, who already had an interception earlier in the game, stripped the ball from the Western QB's hands at 35-yard line. The ball was recovered by DB Jeremy Chinn, but the play was nullified by a facemask penalty against Knighton. The replay showed his hand brush against the helmet in the process of stripping the ball.

The play had a familiar feel for the Salukis, because It marked the third time this season the defense forced a turnover on the game's decisive drive, only to have it overturned by a penalty. The same thing also happened in losses to SEMO and Youngstown State. Aided by 60 yards of penalties, Western completed the scoring drive with a five-yard TD pass to tie the game, 31-31, with 3:27 on the clock.

SIU's offense had a chance to overcome its misfortune on its next drive, but DeSomer threw a pair of incomplete passes and then was sacked on third down, forcing a punt. Western took over with 1:57 to go and marched 58 yards in 11 plays for the game-winning field goal. The key play of the drive was a 26-yard completion on 3rd-and-3 at the SIU 40. Chinn had good coverage on the play, deflected the ball, but the Leatherneck WR caught it on his way to the ground at SIU's 14.

The loss overshadowed some impressive efforts by players such as Leonard, who caught six passes for 97 yards, and continues to lead the league in receiving. Chinn had his ninth career interception, plus eight tackles, and played the fourth quarter with a dislocated shoulder. Coming back from injury, DB Qua Brown was tough against the run with 10 tackles, as the Saluki run defense held Western to 3.9 yards per carry.

Oct. 27 at Missouri State (W, 49-35): Southern Illinois snapped a six-game losing streak with an inspired performance in a 49-35 win over Missouri State on Saturday afternoon at Plaster Stadium. In a season filled with frustratingly close losses, the Salukis showed remarkable resilience - falling behind, 21-14, in the second quarter. Southern scored four unanswered touchdowns to seize control of the game and post the team's first win since Week 1.

The comeback started in the waning seconds of the first half, when QB Matt DeSomer hit TE Nigel Kilby over the middle for a four-yard TD pass to tie the game, 21-21. The Salukis were out of timeouts and pushed across the critical touchdown with just 11 seconds remaining on the clock.

Southern carried that momentum into the second half, marching 73 yards in four plays as DeSomer hit WR Landon Lenoir down the left sideline for a 30-yard TD strike to put SIU ahead, 28-21. Next, RB D.J. Davis capped off a 72-yard scoring drive with a 14-yard TD scamper to make it 35-21. Then, DB Michael Elbert made the game's biggest defensive play, stepping in front of a MSU pass and racing 55 yards for a touchdown to increase the lead to 42-21.

No one sparked the team more today than gritty QB Matt DeSomer, a fifth-year senior who made just his fourth-career start at QB. After bouncing from WR, to safety, to return man, back to QB, he had easily his best game under center. DeSomer completed 19-of-24 passes for 206 yards and three touchdowns, while adding 92 yards on the ground. He tossed two TD passes to Kilby and completed eight passes for 103 yards to WR Raphael Leonard.

Southern's run defense played its best game since the opening-week win over Murray State. SIU held the Bears to 63 yards rushing and produced two big turnovers - the interception by Elbert and another interception in the fourth quarter by LB Bryce Notree at the MSU 13. That pick led to a RB Jonathan Mixon five-yard TD run that put Southern up, 49-28, with less than 10 minutes remaining.

The Salukis gave up 404 yards through the air, but that wasn't a surprise, considering the team's top-four DBs were out. The Salukis played the entire game with DB Jeremy Chinn at one corner and DB Terrance Henley at the other.

Oct. 20 vs. Indiana State (L, 24-21): Southern Illinois rallied for two touchdowns in the final eight minutes, but its last drive ended near midfield as time expired, allowing Indiana State to escape with a 24-21 win on Saturday at Saluki Stadium. The Salukis have been unable to get over the hump in close games. Four of their last five losses have been decided by a touchdown or less. Today, they had no problem establishing the run, piling up 294 yards on the ground, including a game-opening 81-yard touchdown drive that featured 12-straight running plays.

Both QB Matt DeSomer (135 yards) and RB D.J. Davis (126 yards) topped the 100-yard plateau for Southern, becoming the first Saluki duo to accomplish the milestone since 2015. Making just his third-career start at QB, DeSomer was electric in the open field and also passed for a career-high 165 yards. He replaced senior signal caller Sam Straub in the lineup.

Southern had a 459 to 394 advantage in total yards, but it committed the game's only two turnovers, and three times the offense came up empty in the red zone. In the second quarter, the Salukis missed a golden opportunity to score when DeSomer was intercepted at the Indiana State 6-yard line. Later in the same period, DeSomer was stopped for no gain on both 3rd-and-1 and 4th-and-1 from the ISU 16. The Sycamores took advantage of the defensive uprising by driving 84 yards to grab a 14-7 lead just before halftime.

The pattern continued in the second half. A fumbled exchange between DeSomer and Davis was recovered by Indiana State at the SIU 31 and led to an Indiana State field goal that put the Sycamores ahead, 24-7. Southern again drove deep into ISU territory to start the fourth quarter, but KJ Nico Gualdoni missed a 36-yard field goal - his first career miss inside 40 yards.

The Sycamores also had a pair of 100-yard rushers between their RB and QB, and they mostly played error-free football with no turnovers. Southern did block a pair of field goal attempts, though, as DB Jeremy Chinn and DB Terrance Henley both came free for blocks during the second half.

The special teams plays helped ignite the offense, which mounted two long fourth-quarter TD drives to close the deficit to 24-21. DeSomer hit WR Darrell James for a 9-yard touchdown pass and RB Jonathan Mixon carried it in from 12 yards out for his 17th career rushing TD.

After Mixon's touchdown with 2:22 remaining, the Salukis were unsuccessful with an onside kick attempt. The defense rose up, though, stopping ISU on three-straight carries to give the offense one more chance. DeSomer drove the unit from SIU's 14 to the 49, but his Hail Mary on the final play was batted down at Indiana State's 18 yard line.

Oct. 13 at Illinois State (L, 51-3): Illinois State piled up 541 yards of total offense and rolled to a 51-3 homecoming victory over Southern Illinois on Saturday at Hancock Stadium. The No. 12-ranked Redbirds scored the game's first 31 points, compiled a 409-90 advantage in rushing yardage, and tied the largest margin of victory in the 81-game history of the series between the schools.

Since winning its season opener, Southern has dropped five-straight games, and the effects of injuries and a series of close losses appears to finally be taking its toll on the team. The Salukis were without the services of eight starters and four backups today. Adding to SIU's woes, star RB D.J. Davis left the game with a first-half injury.

Illinois State averaged nearly eight yards per carry as the Redbird RBs ran for 202 and 143 yards while the QB was efficient, as well, completing 10 passes, including four touchdown throws.

Southern entered the game ranked 12th in the nation in total offense, and its ability to mix the run and pass was a key to its early-season success. Without Davis for much of the game and with backup RB Jonathan Mixon sidelined, SIU's best ground threat today was QB Sam Straub, who ran for 49 yards. Southern's longest run from scrimmage was just nine yards.

In his first game back from a concussion, Straub completed 14-of-30 passes for 103 yards. Half of his completions were to WR Raphael Leonard, who has caught at least one pass in every game of his SIU career.

The Salukis picked up two first downs on their opening drive but didn't move the sticks again until late in the second quarter. Their only scoring drive came at the start of the third quarter - a 17-play, 66-yard march that included a pair of fourth-down conversions and ended with a 26-yard field goal by K Nico Gualdoni.

One bright spot on defense for the Salukis was DE Anthony Knighton, who had two sacks today, giving him 5.5 on the season, 12.0 in his career, and moving him into 20th all-time in career sacks at SIU.

Oct. 6 at Youngstown State (L, 17-14): For the third-straight week, Southern Illinois came up on the short end of a one-score game, falling to Youngstown State, 17-14, on Saturday night at Stambaugh Stadium. This one was especially frustrating because the Salukis led for most of the contest and appeared to make a game-winning stop on defense with a 14-6 lead and five minutes remaining in the 4th quarter.

The play that changed the complexion of the game was an under-thrown fade pass by Youngstown State that SIU DB Joe Patterson leaped high to intercept in the end zone. Patterson, however, was flagged for pass interference to give YSU 1st-and-goal at Southern's four. It took the Penguins three plays to score a TD and a successful two-point conversion tied the game, 14-14, with 4:36 remaining.

Southern went 3-and-out on its next drive when backup QB Matt DeSomer was flagged for intentional grounding and misfired on two downfield throws. A short punt set the Penguins up at the SIU 39, and they ran off eight plays and most of the game clock before they kicked a game-winning 34-yard field goal with 26 seconds to go.

In just his second-career start, the dual-threat DeSomer passed for 105 yards and ran for 100. He played in place of QB Sam Straub, who suffered a concussion in last week's game against South Dakota. DeSomer scored on a quarterback sneak early in the 4th quarter to put Southern up, 14-6, and played a solid game overall, despite over-shooting a couple of receivers who were open deep.

Missing a host of key players, Southern delivered a gritty effort. The Salukis began the night down seven starters and lost five more starters during the game. Remarkably, on the final drive, the team played with four different defensive backs than the ones who started the season.

SIU's defense allowed just 293 total yards and recorded 10 tackles for loss, two interceptions and three sacks. The defense was flagged numerous times for pass interference, however, in a game that was tightly officiated.

Southern played most of the second half without its best player on defense. DB Jeremy Chinn was ejected during the third quarter for targeting, though a replay available in the press box did not show any contact with the helmet. It was a crushing blow because Chinn had already created two turnovers, deflecting one pass into the arms of teammate LB Airan Reed and intercepting another pass to stop a Youngstown drive just before halftime.

Sept. 29 vs. South Dakota (L, 31-24): The Coyote QB threw all three of his touchdown passes in the third quarter to lead South Dakota to a 31-24 comeback win over Southern Illinois on Saturday night at Saluki Stadium. After being held to 174 yards of total offense in the first half, the Coyotes exploded for 219 yards through the air in the third quarter alone. With the score tied, 17-17, they completed touchdown passes of 45 and 89 yards on back-to-back series.

For the third-straight game, the Salukis piled up more than 500 yards of offense, but they have no wins to show for it. QB Sam Straub completed a career-high 32-of-59 passes for 320 yards and two touchdowns, yet Southern could muster only one touchdown in the second half, and that came with a minute to go in the contest. The Salukis had three turnovers and were 3-of-16 on 3rd-down conversions.

In building a 17-10 lead at the half, Southern exploited a mismatch with TE Nigel Kilby. Straub completed seven passes for 109 yards to the lanky tight end in the half, including touchdowns of 10 and 20 yards. SIU RB D.J. Davis also had another impressive performance. He rushed for 117 yards and became the first back at Southern with four-straight 100-yard games since Deji Karim in 2009.

South Dakota's gameplan on defense was to take away the big play, force Straub to check down to his running backs, and prevent SIU star WR Raphael Leonard from beating them. The strategy worked. Davis and RB Jonathan Mixon had a dozen catches between them, but on six-straight possessions in the second half, SIU's offense bogged down in South Dakota territory. Leonard had five catches for 73 yards but could not shake free for a touchdown after recording four TDs in the last two games.

There were positives in the loss. Southern was much better against the run, limiting South Dakota to 111 yards and a 2.8-yard average on the ground. The defense was especially stout in the first half, forcing eight punts and holding the Coyotes' offense to 0-for-9 on 3rd-down conversions.

The game's watershed moments took place late in the third quarter with the score tied, 17-17. The Salukis had pinned South Dakota at its own 2-yard line. On first down, their QB read the corner blitz and made a perfect throw that beat safety coverage for a 38-yard pickup. On the next play, SIU was flagged for pass interference and followed it up with 45-yarder pass. When South Dakota got the ball back, they threw the 89-yard strike in what appeared to be miscommunication in the Salukis secondary.

Sept. 15 vs. Southeast Missouri (L, 48-44): In a game that featured 10 lead changes, Southeast Missouri ran a trick-play for the 14-yard game-winning touchdown pass to get past Southern Illinois on Saturday night in Saluki Stadium - a throwback pass to the tight end.

The Redhawks converted the touchdown on a 3rd-and-5 play with 25 seconds left in the contest. On the first play of the 75-yard scoring drive, SIU appeared headed for victory when LB Luke Giegling intercepted the visiting QB and returned the ball to the SEMO 15. The play was nullified, however, by a roughing the passer penalty against DT Malik Haynes.

Just minutes earlier, the Salukis had completed a thrilling 75-yard scoring drive of their own, in which QB Sam Straub found WR Raphael Leonard in the corner of the end zone for an 8-yard pass to put SIU ahead, 44-41, with 1:52 to go. The Straub-to-Leonard combo was spectacular all night with the senior WR catching a career-high 11 passes for 124 yards and two TDs. Leonard also drew multiple pass interference penalties against the defense.

On Southern's last-gasp drive in the final 25 seconds, the offense advanced 34 yards to the SEMO 38 with five seconds left, but Straub's Hail Mary pass fell incomplete on the game's final play.

In the 86th meeting between two schools that are separated by just 45 miles, the teams combined for 92 points - the most in the history of the series - plus 1,078 yards and 63 first downs. While there was little either team could do to stop the other, both teams had self-inflicted wounds. Despite putting 85 points on the scoreboard the last two games, SIU has come up short both times.

On SIU's side, it started with a roughing-the-punter penalty in the first quarter that extended a SEMO drive when the Salukis were ahead, 10-0, and led to a Redhawks' touchdown. Straub passed for 338 yards - his seventh-career 300-yard passing game - but he also threw three first-half interceptions. DB James Ceasar fumbled the second-half opening kickoff to add to SIU's woes. By comparison, SEMO made fewer mistakes, but its 16 penalties for 165 yards were also costly.

The single-biggest difference maker in the game was SEMO running back, who set a school record with 311 yards rushing and four touchdowns on 30 carries. He had 190 yards in the first half alone, including a 74-yard TD run. Southern's ground game was nearly as strong with RB D.J. Davis netting 172 yards on 35 carries with two touchdowns. He has rushed for 100 yards in all three games this year.

Sept. 8 at Ole Miss (L, 76-41): No Missouri Valley Football Conference team has ever beaten an SEC opponent, but Southern Illinois had Ole Miss sweating after three quarters during a 76-41 shootout at Vaught Hemmingway Stadium on Saturday. The Salukis led at halftime, 38-35, and were marching for a potential game-tying score at the beginning of the fourth quarter when Ole Miss picked off a QB Sam Straub pass and returned it 88 yards for a touchdown. The pick-six made the score 55-41 and was the first of four unanswered TDs for the Rebels that put the game on ice.

Southern Illinois played a nearly flawless first half on offense, scoring on all six of its possessions and holding the lead for 25 of the 30 minutes of time on the game clock. Straub passed for four first-half TDs and ran for another, finishing the game with 382 yards passing.

The offensive fireworks came fast and furious with the teams combining for 73 first-half points. Straub spread the ball around, with TD strikes of nine yards to TE Nigel Kilby, seven yards to WR Landon Lenoir, nine yards to WR Raphael Leonard and then a spectacular 70-yard catch-and-run to Leonard just before halftime that put the Salukis back on top - Leonard caught six passes for 117 yards.

Southern piled up 629 yards of total offense in the game - the sixth most in school history - and they did it against a highly regarded SEC opponent. The team showed poise in front of a noisy crowd of 55,339, and daring, converting three times on fourth down, including once on 4th-and-goal.

Ole Miss quarterback completed 28-of-38 for 448 yards and five touchdowns, while four different receivers had catches of at least 45 yards. The Rebels are well-known for their quick-strike capability, and that was true today as they needed five or fewer plays to score five of their offensive touchdowns.

Southern's offense got off-track on its first two drives of the second half with two dropped passes and four penalties. Although Straub threw two second-half interceptions, Hill didn't blame his senior QB for the errant throws. On the pick-six, Hill said he changed the play during a timeout and regretted putting his QB in a tough spot.

Straub left the game midway through the fourth quarter after he was sacked, fumbled and Ole Miss scored on a 56-yard scoop and score. He had an ice bag on his left shoulder after the game but said he'd be fine. Southern out-rushed the Rebels, 241-167. Salukis RB D.J. Davis had 121 yards on the ground for his second-straight 100-yard effort.

Aug. 30 at Murray State (W, 49-10): In the season opener for both schools, Southern Illinois beat Murray State, 49-10, behind a 127-yard rushing performance by RB D.J. Davis and a school-record three defensive touchdowns. The Salukis won for the first time at Murray State since 1991, ending a four-game losing streak there. They did it behind a ferocious defensive effort that forced six turnovers. SIU's defense tied a school record by taking it to the house three times - a 23-yard fumble return by DB Qua Brown, an interception in the end zone by LB Airan Reed, and a 73-yard fumble return by DB Michael Elbert.

Southern spotted Murray a 3-0 lead midway through the first quarter when QB Sam Straub was strip-sacked and the Racers recovered at the SIU 20. The defense rose to the occasion, though, as DT Blake Parzych and DB James Ceasar made tackles in the backfield to force the field goal.

The Salukis responded with what was their best drive of the night, marching 75 yards in 11 plays until Straub lofted a fade pass to the right corner of the end zone that WR Darrell James hauled in for a touchdown. It was a fabulous catch by James, who had three receptions on the night to reach the 100 mark in his career. Davis had 40 yards on five carries during the drive. All 127 of his yards on the ground came during the first half, in fact.

SIU's defense scored twice in the second quarter. First, DB Madre Harper ripped the ball and it landed into the hands of Brown, who raced untouched for the score. Harper did the same thing on the next drive with Brown again picking up the loose ball. It didn't result in points, but Southern pinned the Racers at their own 6. That's when DE Anthony Knighton deflected a pass attempt that ended up in Reed's arms for instant pick-six.

The Salukis led, 28-10, at halftime and administered the knockout punch midway through the second half, when DB Jeremy Chinn jarred the ball loose and teammate DB Michael Elbert scooped it up and raced 77 yards for a score.

There were plenty of heroes on defense. Harper forced two fumbles and Brown recovered two. Knighton had a sack, two tackles for loss and a quarterback hurry. As a unit the defense had nine tackles for loss, three sacks, four forced fumbles and two interceptions. It held Murray State to just 87 rushing yards and 2-of-12 on third down conversions.

The Salukis were workmanlike on offense, piling up 295 rushing yards on a staggering 62 carries. RB Jonathan Mixon had 56 bruising yards and freshman QB Javon Williams added 35 yards on only four tries. Backup QB Matt DeSomer ran for one score and passed for another.

-GoJacks.com-

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Upcoming Event: Football versus Illinois State on November 15, 2025 at 2 p.m.

Upcoming Event: Football at North Dakota on November 22, 2025 at 1 p.m.

Completed Event: Football at South Dakota on November 8, 2025 , Loss , 17, to, 24

Completed Event: Football versus Indiana State on November 1, 2025 , Loss , 12, to, 24

Completed Event: Football versus North Dakota State on October 25, 2025 , Loss , 7, to, 38

Completed Event: Football at Murray State on October 18, 2025 , Win , 35, to, 14

Completed Event: Football versus Northern Iowa on October 11, 2025 , Win , 31, to, 3

Completed Event: Football at Youngstown State on October 4, 2025 , Win , 35, to, 30

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