West Florida won its inaugural Division I football game Thursday night, defeating No. 16 Southern Illinois, 34-31, in Pensacola. (Photo by West Florida Football)
By Dan Verdun
Southern Illinois may have lost more than just its season opener Thursday night in Pensacola, Fla.
While first-year FCS program West Florida toppled SIU, 34-31, the Salukis lost veteran quarterback D.J. Williams to a second quarter injury. Multiple media outlets reported Williams injured his knee.
Williams, a seventh-year senior, was one of 11 QBs named to the preseason Walter Payton Award Watch List.
Junior Jake Curry, who started five games as a true freshman two seasons ago when injuries riddled the SIU quarterback room, took over the offense.
“We know what we’ve got in Curry. Curry’s a competitor,” SIU head coach Nick Hill said in the postgame SIU radio interview.
The Salukis entered the game ranked No. 16 in the preseason Stats Perform FCS poll. However, it was West Florida that looked like the Top 20 team.
The Argonauts, who moved up from Division II, built a 27-9 lead in the third quarter and then held off a late effort by the Salukis.
“Disappointed,” Hill said. “They beat us on all sides of the football. There’s no good words.”
“We put ourselves in a position where we just couldn’t catch up,” linebacker Ben Fiegel said.
West Florida played nine seasons at the Division II leve. The Argonauts won the D2 title in 2019.
The loss could prove to be costly as multiple Salukis have already sustained injuries in addition to Williams.
“We’ll get back and see what our medical team says,” Hill said.
Game changers
14:06, 1st quarter:
Early 2nd quarter: Williams went to the locker room with an injury and did not return. Curry took over the offense at the 13:27 mark.
7:27, 3rd quarter: West Florida’s Markel Townsend scored on a 9-yard run. Following the extra point, the Argonauts led, 27-9.
Final minute, 4th quarter: Facing a third and seven from the SIU 36, Curry was intercepted, sealing the West Florida win.
Standout Salukis
Prairie State Pigskin chooses the the top three Southern Illinois players in the game:
Curry, QB: Pressed into service following Williams’ injury, the Edwardsville native completed 14 of 30 passes for 168 yards and two touchdowns. He was intercepted three times.
Ben Fiegel, LB: The Batavia product recorded five tackles and recovered two fumbles.
Seth Adams, K: The LaSalle-Peru graduate made three of four field goal attempts, including a 50-yarder.
What it means
The loss likely drops SIU in the national rankings.
What’s next
SIU travels to Birmingham, Ala. Sept. 3 to take on Samford in a non-conference game.
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
Blue Sky: PSPigskin
Prairie State Pigskin 
Leave a comment