Southern Illinois University
7-1 , 4-0
Missouri St.
5-3 , 2-2
Football Runs Over SMS, 27-3
10/23/2004 | 12:00:00 | Football
Oct. 23, 2004
Final Stats | Photo Gallery
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - Arkee Whitlock scored three touchdowns and Brandon Jacobs added 151 rushing yards as No. 1 Southern Illinois defeated
Whitlock had 200 yards of total offense - including 158 on the ground - for the Salukis (7-1, 4-0), who led 24-3 at halftime. The sophomore scored on runs of six, nine and 17 yards.
"We've got fresh legs everywhere out there because we're so deep in talent," Whitlock said. "We had good execution up front and holes were opening."
SIU racked up 500 yards on offense, and it held SMS (5-3, 2-2) to 273.
"We're just glad we got out of here with a win," said SIU head coach Jerry Kill. "We ran the ball fairly well today."
The words "fairly well" translate to 350 yards on the ground and an incredible 7.6 yards per carry average.
Near the end of the first quarter, SIU quarterback Joel Sambursky threw a 22-yard completion to Kellen Allen at midfield. Then, Whitlock broke loose for a 34-yard gain to the SMS 16. Two plays later, Whitlock ran into the end zone for a 6-yard score as Southern took its first lead 10-3.
On the ensuing kickoff, the Bears' Scottie Reddix caught the ball at the SMS 2 and was plowed by James Smith at the 5. SMS quarterback A.J. Porter fired a 30-yard pass to Gerald Moore, but the Bears' drive soon fell flat.
The Bears only scored three points in the game, and that happened after Craig Turner botched a punt deep in Saluki territory.
"I thought our defense played very well all day," Kill said. "The more we're on the field the better it is for our defense.
"They didn't really give up the three as much as we dropped the punt."
On its first possession of the second quarter, SIU started at the 50 with Jacobs ripping off a 20-yard run. On fourth-and-seven, Sambursky ran up the middle for 15 yards - which set up a Whitlock TD two plays later. SIU went up 17-3 with 10:38 remaining in the first half.
"We're playing very good scoring defense right now," Kill said. "Our defensive coaching staff has done a nice job."
SMS running back Cody Pratt picked up eight yards on pair of runs on its next drive, but it could move no further. The SIU defense held Pratt in check all day, and the senior running back finished with 40 yards on 19 carries.
"They have a great defense, and they play good, sound football," Pratt said. "They got the job done, so they came out with a `W.'"
The Salukis got off to a fast start on their next possession - that started from their own 2. Jacobs showed blazing speed as he rumbled 39 yards to the SIU 41. The senior transfer moved the ball into SMS territory and then took a seat to let Whitlock finish the drive.
"Our offensive line moved people off the ball just that well," Jacobs said. "I could've run it up the gut, or I could've tried to show some speed on the outside."
Sambursky completed a 20-yard throw to Whitlock on third-and-10 from the SMS 42. Whitlock ran 17 yards for a TD on third down, which put SIU up 24-3 with 5:15 left in the second quarter.
"I love our line," Jacobs said. "I would take them anywhere to play.
"Me and Arkee wouldn't do anything if it weren't for them."
After another three-and-out for the Bears, Allen caught two more passes from Sambursky to move the ball to the SMS 49. Jacobs followed with a 10-yard reception and a 10-yard run, but Southern's drive resulted in a missed 32-yard field goal for Craig Coffin.
Allen finished with four receptions for 49 yards, which is impressive considering the windy playing conditions.
"The team's just doing good, and I can't really explain it," Allen said. "The ball was kind of wobbling, and you'd really have to watch it into your hands."
The SIU defense did not allow a touchdown, and should have shut out the Bears.
"You never want to let anyone score when you're on defense," said SIU cornerback Jamarquis Jordan. "That's just our job."
The Salukis could not find the end zone in the second half, but the defense came up big over and over again.
"It was just a lack of concentration by the offense," Jacobs said. "We really slowed down a lot in the second half."
The Salukis return home on Saturday to take on
"It was a good win, but we want to just take everything one step at a time," Whitlock said. "We've got a good one coming up next week."
Coach Kill is now above .500 in his SIU career at 22-21.
"It's unbelievable how much time these youngsters put in for one football game," Kill said. "I feel like they're a very prepared football team when they play."
Team Stats
SIU 0, SMS 3
SMS - Scifres, Jon 36 yd field goal 4 plays, 3 yards, TOP 1:29
SIU 3, SMS 3
SIU - Craig Coffin 39 yd field goal 9 plays, 43 yards, TOP 3:54
SIU 10, SMS 3
SIU - Arkee Whitlock 6 yd run (Craig Coffin kick), 4 plays, 72 yards, TOP 1:10
SIU 17, SMS 3
SIU - Arkee Whitlock 9 yd run (Craig Coffin kick), 8 plays, 51 yards, TOP 3:34
SIU 24, SMS 3
SIU - Arkee Whitlock 17 yd run (Craig Coffin kick), 10 plays, 98 yards, TOP 3:46
SIU 27, SMS 3
SIU - Craig Coffin 32 yd field goal 13 plays, 67 yards, TOP 3:51