Youngstown State quarterback Beau Brungard runs past SIU linebacker Ben Fiegel in the Penguins’ 28-16 victory Saturday at Saluki Stadium. (Photo by YSUSports.com)
By Barry Bottino
CARBONDALE – A tale of two halves did not have a happy ending for No. 21/25 Southern Illinois on Saturday at Saluki Stadium.
After a first half that featured holding down one of the nation’s best players, the Salukis gave up 21 unanswered points as their offense went quiet in a 28-16 loss to No. 8/10 Youngstown State.
Penguins quarterback Beau Brungard, the 2025 Walter Payton Award winner as the top offensive player in FCS, threw two interceptions. But Youngstown scored on three consecutive drives in the second half – thanks to an SIU turnover on downs, fumble and interception – as Brungard completed 10 of his last 11 passes and rushed for 43 of his 69 yards in the second half.
The Salukis, who led 10-7 at the half, had only six second-half first downs, committed 10 penalties and gave up five sacks.
“We have to be better, situationally and finding ways to win that game,” SIU head coach Nick Hill said. “We’ve got to be better offensively. We went backwards way too many times. Penalties really hurt us.”
SIU quarterback DJ Williams finished 19-for-35 with an interception for 288 yards. Kyle Thomas led all receivers with eight catches for 155 yards for the Salukis, who did not get any points from the two YSU turnovers.
The loss dropped SIU to 3-3 overall and 1-1 in Missouri Valley Football Conference play. YSU (4-2) is now 2-0 in league play.
“If you look at the stat sheet, it’s a game that you can win,” he said. “It’s probably one of the better jobs someone’s done against Brungard.”
The Youngstown QB, who ranked second in the nation in total offense entering the game (335.5 yards a game), was held to 113 in the first half.
“Our whole defense was firing in the first half,” SIU linebacker Ben Fiegel said.
Then, Brungard put up 175 yards in the second half, leading YSU on scoring drives of 61, 20 and 80 yards.
“I had some missed tackles out there. They had some big plays,” said Fiegel, who had a game-high 11 tackles.
One particularly damaging play was Brungard’s 25-yard scramble on third-and-21 in the third quarter. Four plays later, he plunged over from 1 yard out to give YSU its first lead, 14-10.
“That hurt. I missed a tackle on that,” Feigel said. “I’ve got to make those plays. That can’t happen.”
SIU’s only second-half points came on a 14-yard Williams run with 1:54 left in the game.
Game changers
6:00, 3rd quarter: Brungard took off on third-and-21, weaving through SIU’s defense for a 25-yard scramble that led to the go-ahead touchdown.
2:42, 3rd quarter: One play after SIU’s Williams was sacked and stripped of the football, YSU scored on a 20-yard TD catch by tight end Austin Bray.
12:01, 4th quarter: With SIU down 21-10, Williams threw a pass in the end zone to wide receiver Allen Middleton. The ball tipped off Middleton’s hands and directly to a YSU defender.
What it means
The Salukis could fall out of the FCS Top 25 polls after winning their way back in last weekend by dominating Murray State.
Standout Salukis
Prairie State Pigskin chooses the top three Southern Illinois players in the game:
Thomas, WR: The wideout caught eight passes for 155 yards, including a 36-yard catch.
Fiegel, LB: Though frustrated with the outcome, the linebacker collected 11 tackles.
Matthew McClelland, S: The Morehead State transfer had eight tackles and an interception.
What’s next?
The Salukis take on another ranked team when they travel to MVFC foe South Dakota for a 1 p.m. game on Oct. 10.
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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