SIU’s Tae Marrero Jr. had 162 return yards and ran a punt back for a touchdown Saturday against Illinois State. (Photo by SIUSalukis.com)
By Barry Bottino
Since August, Tae Marrero Jr. has been living in Carbondale and waiting … and hoping … and waiting.
On Saturday against Illinois State, Marrero’s waiting game paid off.
Playing in his fourth game since being approved for his fifth year of eligibility, Marrero Jr. returned a punt 45 yards for a touchdown and compiled 162 total return yards.
His return went through multiple ups and downs of NCAA-related court rulings.
“When I got back (in August), I was eligible according to the rule, then they overturned it,” he said. “I was on scout team a lot, giving the defense the best possible look I could until it was my time to get back on the field.”
On the team’s bus ride to Murray State last month, Marrero Jr. learned he was again eligible.
In only four games since returning, his 179 punt return yards have surpassed his total of 170 from 11 games last season. He is averaging a career-high 25.6 yards per return.
On kickoffs, Marrero returned two for 49 yards, including a 34-yard return. His 24.5-yard kick return average also is a career best.
Marrero and the Salukis (3-5 overall, 1-3 Missouri Valley Football Conference) host No. 21 Northern Iowa (3-3, 2-1) at 1 p.m. Saturday.
His touchdown in SIU’s 35-14 loss to Illinois State came with 4 minutes, 40 seconds left in the game, when he fielded the ball near midfield, dodged several defenders and bounced off three potential tacklers in the final 10 yards.
“That’s an easy play to maybe not be giving the most effort,” SIU head coach Nick Hill said of the play’s timing and the game situation. “He’s a phenomenal returner that makes things happen.
“Tae’s been through a lot,” Hill said. “His attitude has been phenomenal.”
The touchdown sparked a celebration among teammates who welcomed Marrero Jr.’s return. What did that moment mean?
“Everything,” Marrero said. “It’s a good feeling. I wanted to help the team out any way possible.”
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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