Linebacker Dune Smith (8) celebrates his interception return for a touchdown in Southern Illinois’ 49-23 win against Austin Peay. (Photo by SIUSalukis.com)
By Dan Verdun
CARBONDALE – A late change in the Southern Illinois coaching staff didn’t even register as a speed bump for the high-tempo Salukis in their season-opening blowout.
Freshly named defensive coordinator Antonio James’s unit dominated the first half, shutting out Austin Peay en route to a 49-23 non-conference win Saturday night at Saluki Stadium.
“The key to the game in the first half was just our defense didn’t allow them to do anything,” SIU head coach Nick Hill said.
Hill tabbed James to lead the Saluki defense one day before fall camp began after recent hire D.J. Vokolek left to take a defensive assistant job at Northwestern.
James, who previously coached four seasons at Morgan State, served SIU as defensive line coach last season before his promotion.
“He’s not new here,” Hill said of James. “He’s a relationship guy . . . He really takes time to build relationships offensively and defensively.
“That’s what allowed him to have the trust of the guys.”
SIU cornerback D.J. Johnson agreed.
“Coach James had a huge impact,” Johnson said. “We’ve been through a lot. Just from the summer, we’ve been through two DCs. … We believe in the game plan and Coach James. We just went out there and executed.”
The SIU defense certainly performed in the game’s first 30 minutes. Late into the second quarter, SIU had allowed Austin Peay – a team that averaged 31 points a game last season – just 10 total yards.
In addition, the Salukis didn’t allow a first down until 3:45 remained in the half. SIU’s speed and pressure forced a key fumble and scored on an interception return by linebacker Dune Smith.
“It was special moment, being my first pick in college football. (Before it happened), I was kind of down because I wasn’t making a lot of plays,” said Smith, who was later ejected on a targeting call.
While the Austin Peay offense was sputtering, Southern Illinois scored on three of its first four possessions.
SIU ran 39 plays compared to 20 for Austin Peay as the Salukis built a 28-0 halftime lead.
“(Our defense was) super impressive. I felt like I just sat down (on the bench), and it was right back to it,” SIU quarterback Nic Baker said.
Game changers
6:57, 1st quarter: Baker scrambled, keeping the play alive, and found a wide-open Justin Strong inside the right pylon for a 5-yard touchdown pass.
7:09, 2nd quarter: Defensive end Devin Cowan, a transfer from Division II Fayetteville State, stripped the ball from Austin Peay quarterback Mike DiLiello. Tackle Devin Love recovered the fumble, setting up the SIU offense at the APSU 21-yard line.
4:42, 2nd quarter: A DiLiello pass caromed off the hands of running back Jevon Jackson to Smith, whose 26-yard TD return gave the Salukis a four-touchdown lead.
What it means
SIU jumps out to a 1-0 start while defeating a team with playoff aspirations.
Top ‘Dawgs
Prairie State Pigskin chooses the top three Saluki contributors in the game:
Antonio James, DC: Hill awarded James the game ball for his efforts in shaping and preparing the Saluki defense.
Nic Baker, QB: The redshirt senior set the school record for career completions in addition to throwing for 219 yards and three touchdowns in three quarters.
D.J. Johnson, CB: The sixth-year senior tied fellow corner P.J. Jules with a team-high six tackles, including two tackles for loss.
What’s next?
SIU travels to DeKalb to face FBS Northern Illinois at 2:30 p.m. Sept. 9.
Dan Verdun is a co-founder of Prairie State Pigskin. He has written four books: NIU Huskies Football, EIU Panthers Football, ISU Redbirds Football and SIU Salukis Football.
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