The Illinois State football team ran into a Southern Illinois unit Saturday that had been clicking on all cylinders this season. The Salukis continued to click on all cylinders as they came out on top in a 45-17 victory over the Redbirds at McAndrew Stadium in Carbondale.
The Salukis caught a break on their first possession when the Redbirds were called for a roughing the punter penalty, keeping their offensive drive alive.
However, Sam Yeargin broke up a sure touchdown pass when he knocked the ball out of the hands of Southern Illinois receiver Kellen Allen. The Salukis had to settle for a 42yard field goal by Craig Coffin.
Illinois State quarterback Mike Souza began to connect with his receivers on the Birds second possession, hitting Dwayne Smith on a 45-yard completion and Avery Massengale from 11 yards out. But a Royal Whitaker interception at the Saluki 25 stalled the drive and gave Southern Illinois the momentum they needed.
A 50-yard run by quarterback Joel Sambursky ended at the Redbird 25. Three plays later fullback Brandon Robinson sailed a halfback pass into the waiting hands of Courtney Abbott for a Saluki touchdown and a 10-0 lead.
Southern Illinois continued their nearly flawless offensive execution in the second quarter. This time it was Sambursky connecting on a 21-yard touchdown pass to Chris Kupec, giving the Salukis a 17-0 lead.
Thats when Illinois State got their running game going on the legs of Sha-Ron Edwards. Edwards ran the ball four straight times up the middle of the Saluki defense, as he carried it in from 17 yards out to cut the lead to 17-7 midway through the second quarter. A 1-yard touchdown run by Tom Koutsos put the Salukis up 24-7 at halftime.
With 8:49 left in the third quarter, Illinois State punter Troy Maskel mishandled a snap deep in Redbird territory. The ball bounced around before Frank Johnson recovered it in the end zone, giving Southern Illinois a 31-7 lead.
After a 50-yard field goal by Stephen Carroll made the score 31-10, the Redbird defense stepped up to the plate as Mike Blough pressured Sambursky into throwing an interception to Andrew Papoccia.
But after the Redbird offense took over, Whitaker nabbed his second Souza pass of the game, stalling the Redbird drive near midfield.
A Koutsos touchdown run with 10:18 left in the game made the score 38-10, while the Redbirds scored a TD of their own, as Joe Walkins made a leaping grab with one foot in the end zone with 7:45 left, cutting the lead to 38-17.
