Southern Illinois linebacker Shug Walker (33) makes a diving tackle attempt on North Dakota State running back D.J. Scott (7) in Saturday’s Missouri Valley Football Conference game in Fargo. (Photo by SIUSalukis.com)
By Dan Verdun
Southern Illinois appeared on the verge of taking a second-quarter lead on No. 1 North Dakota State when a turnover changed the complexion of the game.
Facing a third-and-10 on the NDSU 18, SIU quarterback D.J. Williams fumbled on a hit by defensive tackle Keenan Wilson. Defensive end Toby Anene recovered for the Bison, starting a chain reaction of Saluki misfortune.
“That was a huge momentum shift,” Anene said.
NDSU eventually scored 21 points off SIU turnovers on its way to a 45-17 Missouri Valley Football Conference win at the Fargodome.
The Bison (6-0 overall, 3-0 MVFC) won their 16th straight home game. The Salukis (4-2, 1-1) saw their three-game winning string come to an end.
“I let that fumble turn into points and we can’t do that,” Williams told SIU radio.
Beginning with the late touchdown prior to halftime, NDSU scored TDs on five straight drives. A fumble by SIU receiver Jay Jones and an interception thrown by Williams factored into two of those touchdowns.
“Us forcing those turnovers and takeaways on defense is what we kind of asked those guys to do this week. That was what created and cultivated momentum,” NDSU head coach Tim Polasek said.
NDSU quarterback Cole Payton completed 13 of 16 throws for 243 yards and three touchdowns (2 rushing, 1 passing). He did not commit a turnover.
Bison receiver Bryce Lance caught four passes for 79 yards and a touchdown. He also scored on a 75-yard run.
North Dakota State outgained Southern Illinois, 540-313, in total offense. The Bison led, 264-123, on the ground. Five of NDSU’s six touchdowns were rushing scores.
“We’ve got to lick our wounds and go on to the next game,” said Williams, who was sacked three times.
Game changers
1:13, 2nd quarter: Williams’ fumble, which occurred with the game tied 10-10, prevented SIU from potentially putting points on the board and taking the lead.
0:31, 2nd quarter: Lance caught a 9-yard touchdown pass from Payton. The score, which came off the SIU turnover, gave the Bison a 17-10 halftime lead.
11:02, 3rd quarter: Payton capped NDSU’s opening drive of the second half with a 2-yard TD run. The score pushed the Bison to a 24-10 lead.
Standout Salukis
Prairie State Pigskin chooses the the top three Southern Illinois players in the game:
Williams, QB: The Thornton Township High School graduate passed for 190 yards and led SIU with 41 net rushing yards. He scored a rushing touchdown.
Fabian McCray, WR: The senior caught four passes for 52 yards, including one reception for 34 yards.
Paul Geelen, K/P: The senior kicked a 35-yard field goal and averaged 44.7 yards per punt.
What it means
Southern Illinois suffered its first MVFC loss this season. The No. 8/9 Salukis likely drop out of the FCS Top 10 when the national polls are released Monday.
What’s next
Southern Illinois hosts nationally ranked MVFC member North Dakota at 2 p.m. Oct. 18 at Saluki Stadium. The Fighting Hawks defeated Youngstown State, 35-17, Saturday.
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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