Southern Illinois University
1-10 , 1-6
Baylor University
3-8 , 0-8
Football Falls to Baylor, Ends Season at 1-10
11/24/2001 | 12:00:00 | Football
Nov. 24, 2001
Waco, Texas - Big 12 foe Baylor University (3-8) exploded for 42 second half points behind redshirt freshman quarterback Aaron Karas to post a 56-12 victory over Southern Illinois (1-10) Saturday at Floyd Casey Stadium.
The fourth-string quarterback, Karas, who made his first start, threw for 331(22-of-31) yards and three touchdowns to become the first Baylor QB to pass for over 300 yards in a game since 1991. Karas additionally rushed for 59 yards and one touchdown.
Baylor jumped out to a 14-0 lead in the first 9:25 of the game and never looked back as Karas' 331 yards passing added to the Bears' 507 yards of total offense.
After both teams punted on their opening drives, the Bears took over at their own 20-yard line and headed into Saluki territory when Karas hooked up with Robert Quiroga for a 21-yard gain. On the next play, a holding penalty backed up the Bears to the 50-yard line where it was 2nd and 20 before Karas completed a 25-yard strike to Reggie Newhouse. Two plays later, Karas hit paydirt on a quarterback draw from six yards out to end an 11-play, 80-yard drive as Baylor took a 7-0 lead.
On Baylor's ensuing possession following another SIU punt, the Bears marched 89 yards in four plays which ended in a 70-yard touchdown pass from Karas to Marques Roberts. Daniel Andino's extra-point increased the Baylor lead to 14-0 with 5:35 remaining in the first quarter.
Southern Illinois cut the deficit to 14-6 with 9:25 left in the second quarter when a 20-yard punt return by Kevin Gleeson set up the Salukis' fifth drive of the game. On SIU's second play following a 15-yard face mask penalty, Madei Williams found a wide open Gleeson at the Bear 2-yard line. Gleeson, whose reception covered 35 yards, drug two Baylor defenders into the end zone to cap off the Dawgs' quick, two-play, 50-yard rally. Scott Everhart's kick then missed wide right snapping his streak of 18 consecutive PATs this season.
The Salukis had a chance to possibly tie the game before the first half came to a close. Starting on its own 20-yard line, SIU strung together five consecutive first downs which moved the ball all the way to the Baylor 18. A sack by Ethan Kelley, who dropped Williams for a loss of 12 yards, forced a 41-yard field goal try by Everhart which sailed wide left. Baylor then took over on downs at its own 24-yard line before Karas was intercepted by Andre King to end the half at 14-6 in favor of the Bears.
Baylor blew the game open in the first 5:02 of the second half when the Bears covered 80 yards in 13 plays on its opening possession. Karas connected with Jonathan Golden on a 8-yard touchdown pass before the Salukis took over on downs at their own 35.
On SIU's first play, Williams was intercepted by Samir Al-Amin who dashed 45 yards for another Baylor score to put the Bears ahead 28-6 following two more Andino PATs.
Both teams traded punts on the game's next two possessions before SIU began its third drive of the half at its own 35. The Salukis then went 65 yards in 10 plays as Williams found Mark Shasteen in the corner of the end zone for a 22-yard touchdown. SIU's two-point conversion would fail as Baylor maintained a 28-12 advantage.
With SIU still within 16 points, Karas came up big again, this time hitting Newhouse for a 48-yard bomb just seven seconds into the fourth quarter. The touchdown pass marked Karas' third of the game as the Bears built their lead to 35-12.
Still not finished, Baylor running back Derek Lagway crossed the goal line from one-yard out to complete an 8-play, 32-yard drive which was set up at the SIU 32 following a fumble by Saluki center Matt Miller. Lagway's score pushed the Baylor route to 42-12.
On SIU's next possession, Kevin Kobe was picked off by Al-Amin who took his second interception of the game for a 35-yard touchdown. One more score by the Bears' Ryan Long would then end a 7-play, 41-yard drive to seal the Baylor win for good at 56-12.
Williams led the Saluki offense with a season-high 12 completions for 144 yards passing. In addition, he had two interceptions and rushed for 13 yards. Tom Koutsos led the SIU ground attack with 62 yards on 19 carries. His 62-yard effort marked just the fourth time this season he has been held to under 100 yards.
With the loss, SIU ends its 2001 season at 1-10 overall.
Team Stats
SIU 0, BU 7
BU - Karas, Aaron 6 yd run (Andino, Daniel kick), 11 plays, 80 yards, TOP 4:00
SIU 0, BU 14
BU - Roberts, M. 70 yd pass from Karas, Aaron (Andino, Daniel kick) 4 plays, 89 yards, TOP 1:06
SIU 6, BU 14
SIU - Kevin Gleeson 35 yd pass from Madei Williams (Scott Everhart kickfailed) 2 plays, 50 yards, TOP 0:31
SIU 6, BU 21
BU - Golden, J. 8 yd pass from Karas, Aaron (Andino, Daniel kick) 13 plays, 80 yards, TOP 4:46
SIU 6, BU 28
BU - Al-Amin, Samir 45 yd interception (Andino, Daniel kick)
SIU 12, BU 28
SIU - Mark Shasteen 22 yd pass from Kevin Kobe (Kevin Kobe passfailed) 10 plays, 65 yards, TOP 4:05
SIU 12, BU 35
BU - Newhouse, R. 48 yd pass from Karas, Aaron (Andino, Daniel kick) 6 plays, 80 yards, TOP 1:49
SIU 12, BU 42
BU - Lagway, Derek 1 yd run (Andino, Daniel kick), 8 plays, 32 yards, TOP 3:25
SIU 12, BU 49
BU - Al-Amin, Samir 35 yd interception (Andino, Daniel kick)
SIU 12, BU 56
BU - Dixon, Kerry 11 yd run (Webb, Kenny kick), 7 plays, 41 yards, TOP 3:13