Southern Illinois receiver Keontez Lewis scored two touchdowns in the Salukis’ home-opening win Saturday in Carbondale. (Photo by Saluki Communications)
By Dan Verdun
The transfer portal helped deliver some key players for Southern Illinois this offseason.
Three of them introduced themselves to Saluki fans in the home opener as SIU held off Incarnate Word, 35-28, Saturday night in Carbondale.
Newcomers D.J. Williams (Murray State), Keontez Lewis (Wisconsin) and Nah’shawn Hezekiah (Howard) were key contributors as SIU built a 35-14 halftime lead.
Williams accounted for three touchdowns, two passing and one rushing. The Harvey, Ill. native threw for 301 yards and ran for 79 more as the Salukis (2-1) outlasted the Cardinals (1-2).
According to SIUSalukis.com, Williams left the game in the fourth quarter with an injury to his throwing hand.
“D.J. was playing lights out,” Hill said. “You can see all the things he can do. We’re still learning what play calls D.J. likes . . . When you’re with a quarterback for an extended period of time you start to learn each other (as coach and player), and I felt he got in a good rhythm tonight.”
Lewis, an East St. Louis native, caught eight passes for 148 yards and a touchdown. He also broke free for a 57-yard touchdown run.
Hezekiah hauled in five passes for 118 yards, including a 50-yarder.
SIU – ranked ninth in the most recent Stats Perform FCS poll – racked up 207 yards on the ground, averaging 4.6 yards per carry.
Incarnate Word, a San Antonio-based program and the nation’s No. 12 team, scored 14 points in the second half and moved the ball to the SIU 16-yard line with 1:33 left in the game.
The Cardinals’ fortunes changed when UIW quarterback Zach Calzada was sacked by SIU defensive end Louis Wilbert for an 11-yard loss.
After a UIW timeout, SIU linebacker Ben Bogle sacked Calzada for a 19-yard loss.
Calzada, who threw for 366 yards and three touchdowns, was flagged for intentional grounding on both sacks.
Saluki defensive back Vinny Pierre Jr. intercepted a Calzada pass in the end zone for a touchback with 32 seconds remaining in the game.
The Salukis were then able to end the game on kneel downs that drained UIW of its timeouts.
“Wish we would’ve made it a little easier on ourselves,” Hill said. “We had the opportunities to do that, but credit to (UIW). We knew their offense was pretty high-powered and their quarterback showed why he’s one of the best in the country.”
Game changers
12:52, 2nd quarter: Williams broke free for a 28-yard touchdown run. The TD and extra point by Paul Geelen gave SIU a 21-7 lead.
2:07, 2nd quarter: Lewis sprinted for a 57-yard touchdown run. Following Geelen’s PAT, the Salukis lead grew to 28-14.
1:33, 4th quarter: Wilbert’s sack of Calzada took UIW from a 1st-and-5 at the SIU 16-yard line to a 2nd-and-16 at the Saluki 27. It also forced the Cardinals to use a timeout.
Top ‘Dawgs
Prairie State Pigskin chooses the top three Southern Illinois players in the game:
D.J. Williams, QB: The Thornton Township High School product racked up 380 total yards of offense. He passed for two touchdowns and ran for another.
Keontez Lewis, WR: The junior amassed 205 total yards of offense (148 receiving, 57 rushing) and scored two touchdowns.
Hezekiah, WR: The senior caught five passes for 118 yards.
What it means
Southern Illinois posts a key non-conference victory over a nationally ranked team, something the FCS playoff committee favors come selection time.
What’s next?
The Salukis host non-conference regional rival Southeast Missouri State from the Big South-OVC Football Association Sept. 21 for a 6 p.m. kickoff.
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.
Find us on social media!
Twitter: https://twitter.com/PSPigskin
Facebook: Prairie State Pigskin
Instagram: Prairiestatepigskin
Prairie State Pigskin 
Leave a comment