Southern Illinois quarterback D.J. Williams ran for touchdowns and threw for another score to lift the Salukis to a 34-20 victory against Southeast Missouri. (Photo by SIUSalukis.com)
By Barry Bottino
Injuries have hindered seventh-year Southern Illinois quarterback D.J. Williams throughout his college career.
On Saturday night in Carbondale, however, it was Williams who was a pain for Southeast Missouri to handle in the Salukis’ 34-20 victory in the annual War for the Wheel rivalry game between the two schools, which are less than 50 miles apart and separated by the Mississippi River.
In his return from a Week 0 knee injury, Williams rushed for four touchdowns and threw for another score to lift SIU (2-1) to a 34-20 victory. The Salukis started the game in a 10-0 hole in the first quarter.
When asked Monday about Williams’ status during his weekly press conference, SIU head coach Nick Hill said there was “a chance” the QB would play but declined to put a percentage on the possibility.
On Saturday, Williams showed SEMO he was at 100%.
He rushed for three fourth-quarter touchdowns in a 7-minute span. His 2-yard run at the 7:48 mark helped tie the game at 20-20. His 13-yard scoring run with 4:11 left put SIU in front for the first time of the game, 27-20.
Williams broke loose on a keeper around right end for a 30-yard score with 1:08 left to put the game away.
He was 17-for-30 passing for 286 yards on the night. More than half of that total was to receiver Kyle Thomas (five catches, 144 yards, one TD).
SIU’s defense also came to life in the second half, thanks to interceptions from defensive back Sebastian Vargas, cornerback Gavin Shepard and linebackers Charlie Whelpley and David Obadein.
Game changers
1:03, 1st quarter: Williams rushed for a 16-yard touchdown in his return from a knee injury suffered in the season opener at West Florida.
7:48, 4th quarter: Williams scored on a 2-yard run to tie the game at 20-20.
1:08, 4th quarter: Williams rushes for his fourth touchdown of the night to secure the victory.
What it means
SIU improves to 2-1 overall and has rebounded since a season-opening loss at FCS newcomer West Florida.
Saluki standouts
Prairie State Pigskin chooses the top three Southern Illinois players in the game:
Williams, QB: The SIU captain compiled 353 yards of total offense and amassed five total touchdowns, including four on the ground.
Thomas, WR: The Saluki WR had 144 receiving yards, caught a TD just before halftime and had a key 71-yard, fourth-quarter reception on a touchdown drive.
Andrew Behm, LB: The veteran linebacker finished the night with a game-high 12 tackles.
What’s next?
The Salukis travel to Champaign for a 1 p.m. game Sept. 19 against FBS Illinois.
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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