Wide receiver Fabian McCray (right) and quarterback D.J. Williams celebrate a second-quarter touchdown for Southern Illinois. (Photo by SIUSalukis.com)
By Barry Bottino
The Southern Illinois offense got off to a quick start Saturday night, but it was the Salukis’ finishing kick that put away UT Martin in dominant fashion.
No. 14 ranked SIU (2-1), which scored less than 4 minutes into the game, also scored on four of its last five drives of the game to put together an impressive win on the road, 37-10.
“We came out and executed,” Southern head coach Nick Hill told Saluki Radio. “It was good to see us run the ball.”
Quarterback D.J. Williams turned in a superb evening, rushing for 128 yards and three touchdowns while passing for 217 yards and a TD. His 345 total yards helped Southern outgain the Skyhawks, 490-291.
“I’m grateful for the win,” Williams said. “We stayed dialed in (after the opening drive). The coaches told me big runs were going to happen. Being able to finish the game off is something I love to see.”
SIU rushed for 273 yards, including 78 yards from running back Chandler Chapman, whose 44-yard TD run came with 1:51 left in the game.
Linebacker Colin Bohanek had 12 tackles to lead the Salukis, who held Martin (0-3) to only 81 total yards in the second half. The Salukis also had two fourth-down stops in the first half to snuff out Martin drives
“Getting those stops were big,” Bohanek said. “We told ourselves all game, ‘We’re not letting them get anything.’”
Safety Vinny Pierre had seven tackles, an interception and a forced fumble.
“I think our defense played outstanding to hold that offense to 10 points,” Hill said.
SIU took a 14-0 second-quarter lead when Williams lofted a pass to wide receiver Fabian McCray, who outran the Martin defense for a 56-yard score.
After the Salukis took a 17-7 halftime advantage, Williams rushed for 13- and 12-yard scores in the third quarter to push the SIU lead to 30-10 lead.
Game changers
11:07, 2nd quarter: McCray got behind the Martin defense and caught a lofted pass from Williams then raced 56 yards for a TD. The score gave SIU a 14-0 lead.
11:32, 3rd quarter: On its first drive of the second half, the Salukis went 58 yards in seven plays to score on a 13-yard Williams scamper around right end.
2:53, 3rd quarter: Williams ran in his third touchdown of the night – this time a 12-yarder – to boost SIU’s lead to 30-10.
Standout Salukis
Prairie State Pigskin chooses the top three players in Saturday’s game:
Williams, QB: The Saluki QB was a force offensively, rushing for 128 yards and three TDs and throwing for 217 yards and a TD.
Jay Jones, WR: The senior caught four passes for 65 yards and ignited the offense with a 47-yard reception on SIU’s first offensive play of the night.
Vinny Pierre, S: Pierre jumped high in the air for a second-quarter interception – his second pick in two weeks – on a double-pass trick play by UT Martin. Pierre also had a forced fumble and seven tackles.
What it means
The Salukis got a dominant road win against a UT Martin team that has won at least a share of the last four Ohio Valley-Big South Conference Football Association titles. The victory is certain to move SIU up in both national polls this week.
What’s next
The Salukis travel across the Mississippi River to face regional rival Southeast Missouri Sept. 20 in the annual War for the Wheel game. Kickoff is 6 p.m.
Barry Bottino is a co-founder of Prairie State Pigskin and a 19-year veteran of three Illinois newspapers. He has covered college athletics since 1995.
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