NORMAL, Ill. - Eyad Salem's over-the-shoulder, one-handed grab in the back corner of the end zone capped Illinois State's second-consecutive last-minute, game-tying drive against a nationally-ranked opponent, but for the second week in a row the Redbirds' upset hopes were dashed in overtime in a 17-10 loss to No. 9 Southern Illinois at Hancock Stadium Saturday. With the win, the Salukis clinched the 2008 Missouri Valley Football Conference Championship.
Kevin Brockway and Salem connected three times for 40 yards while charging the Redbirds (3-8, 2-6 MVFC) down field for a late score, but Illinois State was unable to answer the Saluki's (9-2, 7-1 MVFC) opening touchdown in overtime. During the Redbirds' possession, Illinois State moved inside the five-yard line but Walter Mendenhall failed to cross the first down line on 4th-and-1 and the game ended after an official measurement. Illinois State dropped a 48-45 decision in overtime to No. 25 Western Illinois last weekend.
Salem caught seven passes for 84 yards and moved into fourth place on the ISU single season receptions list with 63 catches this season. Walter Mendenhall topped the 100-yard mark for the fourth time this season, gaining 156 yards on 22 attempts.
Both teams dueled to a 3-3 tie after three quarters of play, but Southern Illinois took advantage of a fumbled snap to set up a short field with three minutes remaining in the fourth quarter. SIU running back Larry Warner capped the drive with a 6-yard touchdown run and the Salukis led 10-3.
Illinois State answered with the Brockway-Salem scoring drive and scored its first touchdown of the game with 44 seconds remaining. The Redbird defense, like it had against Western Illinois and for most of Saturday's contest, held strong and forced the extra period.
In overtime, SIU converted a 3rd-and-14, as quarterback Chris Dieker found a wide-open Ryan Kernes streaking towards the back of the end zone to put the Salukis up 17-10.
The Redbirds used six plays to get to the Southern Illinois 2-yard line, but Mendenhall's attempt was stuffed by the Salukis and the official measurement on 4th-and-1 ended the game.
For the first time this season Illinois State and its opponent failed to score in the first quarter of a game and failed to score a touchdown in the first half as both teams traded field goals in the second quarter.
Only the Salukis managed to cross midfield in the opening quarter, but were eventually forced to punt. Illinois State's best attempt was a Kevin Brockway deep pass into Saluki territory, but Eyad Salem and the defender were unable to catch the batted ball around the 10-yard line.
Southern Illinois broke the scoring drought at the 11:15 mark in the second quarter when Kyle Dougherty converted a 52-yard field goal attempt, the longest attempt hit against the Redbirds this season.
On the ensuing drive, Mendenhall finally got the Redbirds across the 50-yard line with the 45-yard run on Illinois State's first play. He took the next snap to the 8 yard-line, but the Southern Illinois' defense stopped tailback on the next three plays and the Redbirds were forced to settle for a 21-yard field goal from Zach Kutch.
Illinois State took its first drive of the second half into Saluki territory, but elected to go for it on fourth and two from the 25-yard line. Geno Blow was stopped by a gang of Southern Illinois tacklers and the Redbirds turned the ball over on downs. The Redbirds were in scoring range later in the quarter, but a 36-yard try by Kutch was wide.
Illinois State outgained the Salukis 358-311, including a 234-138 advantage in rushing yards. Both teams lost two fumbles, with the Redbirds losing the ball eight times - the most costly coming on the center-quarterback exchange to set up Warner's touchdown in the fourth quarter.
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