Knocked from the ranks of the unbeaten, SIU now must regroup and move forward

Southern Illinois quarterback Nic Baker (8) was sacked seven times and hurried four more in Saturday’s loss. (Photo by YSUSports.com)

By Dan Verdun

Saturday didn’t turn out well for a seemingly unrelated pair of athletic successes.

Los Angeles Dodger pitching ace Clayton Kershaw, a certain Hall of Famer, was shelled by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the worst outing of his fabulous 16-year career.

Earlier in the day, the Southern Illinois Salukis, ranked highly in both major national FCS polls, were shelled in their worst outing this season.

Youngstown State, which a week earlier had given up 44 points to Northern Iowa in a loss, dominated SIU in a 31-3 romp.

It was the lowest point total by a Saluki team since a 44-3 defeat to South Dakota State on March 20, 2021.

“Obviously, Saturday was a disappointing performance,” SIU head coach Nick Hill said Monday. “It was as bad of an offensive performance that I’ve ever been around. And collectively, it’s hard to find a night as bad as that.”

Nic Baker, the record-setting SIU quarterback and certain future Saluki hall of famer, was held to his lowest career passing game as a starter.

Needing 122 yards to become SIU’s all-time passing leader, Baker was held to 94 by Youngstown State.

“If you asked Nic, he wants to win. That’s really the bottom line. If he passes for 27 yards and we win next week, Nic would be just happy,” Hill said.

It was Baker’s lowest total since a 91-yard performance March 13, 2021, against Northern Iowa during the COVID-spring season.

SIU’s offense was held to 100 yards and eight first downs by YSU.

Offensively out of sync

“We weren’t in any type of rhythm,” Hill said Saturday. “They pressured us a ton. That comes down to coaching, too. You have to have a plan for what we have to do when teams are coming after us like that.”

Youngstown State sacked Baker seven times and was credited with four quarterback hurries.

“We know he (Baker) likes to hold it. He’s shorter so he can’t really (always see over the rush),” YSU defensive end Dylan Wudke said. “He likes to scramble out. Each guy rushed in his lane and kept him contained and just kept getting after him.”

Baker and the passing aspect of the offense certainly wasn’t helped when the Salukis’ ground game was held in check.

SIU gained just 58 yards rushing. However, when the sacks and lost rushing yards were subtracted, the Salukis were left with six net rushing yards.

“Our No. 1 goal is always to stop the run. Once you stop the run, you make them one-dimensional. You know the pass is coming, and you can get after the quarterback,” said Wudke, who collected two sacks and a QB hurry.

Ground(ed) ‘n pound(ed)

SIU was without running backs Ro Elliott and Jaelin Benefield, along with receiver D’Ante’ Cox, all who were out with injuries.

Senior Justin Strong, who has battled injuries himself, started at running back and carried five times for eight yards. Sophomore Leshaun Lester had five carries for six yards.

“Getting after the quarterback creates a lot of chaos. Getting the turnover early helped that, but getting to him seven times, we wanted more. It was a race to the quarterback,” Wudke said.

Baker proved up to be SIU’s most effective ball carrier. Minus the seven sacks, the sixth-year senior rushed the ball seven times for 41 yards.

“Not being able to run the football, and then when you get behind, having to throw the football, even there late when it started to pour down rain, isn’t ideal,” Hill said. “Momentum is real in this game and (YSU) had the momentum.”

Moving forward

After beginning the season with a 4-0 record, which included a win at FBS Northern Illinois, the loss at Youngstown started the Salukis off on the wrong foot for their Missouri Valley Football Conference schedule.

“We have no choice but to react in a positive way,” SIU receiver Izaiah Hartrup said. “We can’t let one loss define us.”

The Salukis play at Murray State – the latest addition to the Missouri Valley Football Conference – Saturday.

SIU returns to Carbondale for an Oct. 21 Homecoming showdown with No. 1-ranked South Dakota State. The reigning national champion Jackrabbits stand as the only remaining unbeaten program that participates in the FCS playoff system.

“The character we have in the room will be tested,” Hill said. “We have to swallow this pill. Nobody likes this feeling. Right now, we feel like we’ve been punched in the gut.”