Salukis Fall To Southeast Missouri State, 24-5

Saturday, September 8

Cape Girardeau, Mo.

6:00 PM

Southern Illinois University

0-1

Southeast Missouri

1-1

Team	1st	2nd	3rd	4th	Final F
Southern Illinois	0	3	0	2	5
Southeast Missouri	0	3	14	7	24

09/08/2001 | 12:00:00 | Football

Box Score

Sept 8, 2001

Stats

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. Southeast Missouri State exploded for three touchdowns in the second half and defeated Southern Illinois, 24-5, to spoil the head coaching debut of SIU's Jerry Kill.

It was a tale of two distinctly different styles as Southern Illinois dominated the game on the ground, rushing for 249 yards to SEMO's 30, but the Indians had a commanding edge through the air 418 to 134.

Four times, the Salukis moved inside the SEMO 20 yardline, but the offense could generate only three points.

"I was pleased with how we moved the ball," Kill said. "We had a lot of opportunities, we just didn't get it done. You can't turn the ball over four times and win games, and you can't give up big plays."

Neither team could take control of the game in the first half and went into the lockerroom at halftime tied 3-3.

Southern Illinois' first half points came on a Scott Everhart 37-yard field goal with 10:22 left in the second quarter. The Indians answered on their next drive with a 41-yard field goal by Derek Kutz.

In the second half, SEMO's passing attack caught fire. On the third play of their opening drive, quarterback Jeromy McDowell found Tarik Simpson for a 67-yard scoring strike to grab a 10-3 lead.

McDowell and Simpson connected for another touchdown with 6:55 to go in the third quarter that extended SEMO's lead to 17-3. In the fourth quarter, McDowell hit Willie Ponder with a 39-yard touchdown pass to stretch the lead to 24-3.

McDowell finished with 19-of 42 passing for 391 yards and three touchdowns. "We had coverage breakdowns, and I think fatigue played a factor in the second half," Kill said. "We'll look at he film and try to correct our mistakes."

SIU junior running back Tom Koutsos led all ball carriers with 114 yards on 23 carries. He moved into fourth place on the school's career rushing list with 2,520 yards, surpassing Andre Herrera.

Syracuse transfer Madei Williams started at quarterback for the Salukis and was 10-of-23 passing for 118 yards. He also rushed for 100 yards on 21 carries.

"'We were able to move the ball between the 20s," Williams said. "But we didn't capitalize when we got inside the 20."

SIU linebacker Bart Scott led the defensive charge. He had eight tackles, including two for losses and one sack.

"The little mistakes we made on both sides of the ball hurt us," Scott said. "However, there were a lot of positive things, and we just have to take those things and build on them when we go back to work on Monday."

"We have a heckuva lot of work to do," Kill said. "But I knew that when I came here.

Notes: WR Mark Shasteen, who was fitted for a playing cast on his broken thumb last week, came off the bench and played in the game...WR Justin George, DB Alexis Moreland, LB Cortez McBerry and LB Chris Sutherlin were the only true freshmen to play in the game for SIU...TE Ryan McAllister had a career-long 43-yard reception...The SIU offense used a no-huddle offense througout the game...The Salukis began the game in a two-TE formation, but also used the power I and three and four-wide receiver sets...DB Jason Newell blocked a punt for SIU, setting up the Everhart field goal.