Salukis Downed By Northern Iowa, 19-14

Saturday, October 13

Cedar Falls, Iowa

4:05 PM

Southern Illinois University

1-4

Northern Iowa

5-1

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

Southern Illinois

Northern Iowa

10/13/2001 | 12:00:00 | Football

Box Score

Oct 13, 2001

Final Stats

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa - Southern Illinois took #15 Northern Iowa to the wire Saturday, but a late interception dashed the Salukis' hopes of an upset as UNI prevailed, 19-14.

SIU lost despite outgaining the Panthers, 358-332 yards.

"Our coaching staff and players did everything we could to win the the football game," head coach Jerry Kill said. "I expected to win today. The kids expected to win. That's why they're so heartbroken right now."

The Salukis (1-4, 1-2) never led in the game, but were withing striking distance of the Panthers (5-1, 3-0) throughout.

"We're very close," Kill said. "I told our team after the game we just have to persevere, persevere, persevere. Sooner or later, our effort will be rewarded."

UNI struck first in the game on a 44-yard field goal by Mackenzie Hoambrecker midway through the first quarter.

SIU was plagued by poor field position early, starting inside its own 20 on the first five possessions of the game.

With 10:29 left in the second quarter, UNI's Jake Soliday put the Panthers up 10-0 on a 67-yard punt return for a touchdown.

"We take so much pride in our special teams," Kill said. "But we missed a field goal and allowed a punt return for a TD. You cannot beat Northern Iowa at Northern Iowa and make those mistakes."

The SIU came to life on its next possession and marched 80 yards on eight plays, capped off by a nine-yard TD run by Kevin Gleeson on a reverse, to cut the deficit to 10-7.

UNI added another field goal by Hoambrecker just before halftime to take a 13-7 lead into the break.

On the Panthers first drive of the second half, they drove 80 yards for a TD, as Richard Carter plunged into the endzone from two yards out. The two-point conversion failed, and UNI led 19-7.

The Salukis came right back, however, with a 74-yard touchdown drive. Tom Koutsos broke free on a 26-yard TD gallup to make the score 19-14 midway through the third quarter.

SIU had several opportunities to score in the fourth quarter, but one drive stalled at the UNI 38, and the Salukis last drive ended when quarterback Kevin Kobe's pass was intercepted near midfield by Brent Browner.

The Salukis rotated quarterbacks throughout the game, utilizing Kobe for the passing game, and attacking via the ground with Madei Williams at the helm.

Kobe was 15-of-30 passing in the game for 123 yards.

Running back Tom Koutsos handled the bulk of the rushing load for SIU, carrying 22 times for 146 yards. He moved into second place in career rushing at SIU, as he now has 2,922 career yards.

Williams carried six times for 42 yards, and the Salukis averaged 5.7 yards per carry in the game.

Andre King led the defensive charge for the Salukis, intercepting two passes on the afternoon. He now has three on the year and nine in his career.

"It was two good football teams hooking up," Kill said. "I'm very proud of our team. We're getting everything out of them." Southern Illinois hosts Eastern Illinois next Saturday at McAndrew Field at 1:30 p.m.