Linebacker Colin Bohanek had six tackles Saturday in SIU’s 27-7 victory at Murray State. He also had two of Southern’s seven tackles for loss in the game. (Photo by SIUSalukis.com)
By Barry Bottino
Wednesday’s practice in Carbondale forced the Southern Illinois football team to dodge raindrops.
Saturday’s game at Murray State provided a familiar feeling as the No. 16/17 Salukis splashed their way to a 27-7 victory in a driving rain with a punishing ground game and a stingy defense to kick off a pivotal month of November games as the FCS playoffs approach.
“This week, we really dialed in on the details,” said safety Cejai Parson, who had two interceptions. “It’s November football. It’s going to be gritty. In every type of weather, you’ve got to really lock in.”
SIU (6-3 overall, 3-2 Missouri Valley Football Conference) improved its playoff standing by scoring 17 points on its first three drives. That included two rushing touchdowns by quarter D.J. Williams, who piled up 261 total yards and three total touchdowns.
The Salukis, led by Eddie Robinson’s 109 yards on 18 carries, gained 233 rushing yards while averaging 4.7 yards a carry.
SIU was a combined 9-for-16 on third- and fourth-down conversions. Murray for 5-for-13.
“This was a fun game,” SIU head coach Nick Hill said. “I felt our guys had the right mentality. It rained the entire game – hard. This would’ve been an easy game to come out here and look sloppy.”
The Salukis were anything but sloppy on defense, holding Murray to its lowest point total of the season and shutting out the Racers (0-9, 0-5) in the second half. The Salukis had seven tackles for loss and limited three Murray quarterbacks to a combined 122 passing yards.
Game changers
3:56, 2nd quarter: Williams ran for a 5-yard score, his second of the night, to put SIU ahead 17-0.
12:22, 4th quarter: Lem Wash caught a pop pass from Williams and raced down the sideline for a 40-yard score to put the game out of reach.
6:42, 4th quarter: Parson grabbed his second interception of the game, ending a Murray drive in SIU territory.
Standout Salukis
Prairie State Pigskin chooses the top three Southern Illinois players in Saturday’s game:
Robinson, RB: With 109 yards, Robinson helped the Salukis pile up 233 yards on the ground.
Parson, S: His two interceptions thwarted Murray State drives in the first and second half.
Williams, QB: Along with 171 passing yards, the senior piled up 90 yards and two TDs on the ground.
What it means
SIU begins November’s gauntlet of big games with a win on the road and in conference to strengthen its playoff hopes.
What’s next
The Salukis remain on the road Nov. 8, traveling to Youngstown State (5-4, 2-3) for a 1 p.m. game against the No. 18 Penguins, who lost 38-30 Saturday at No. 1 North Dakota State.
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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