Southern Illinois University
8-1 , 5-0
Western Illinois
4-5 , 2-3
Football Dominates Western Illinois
10/30/2004 | 12:00:00 | Football
Oct. 30, 2004
By Scott Mees
www.SIUSalukis.com
CARBONDALE, Ill. - The Southern Illinois University football team came out and dominated virtually every facet of Saturday's football game with Western Illinois.
Brandon Jacobs scored three rushing touchdowns as SIU beat Western Illinois 66-13 at McAndrew Stadium.
"The kids wanted to make history tonight and have the longest home winning streak in school history," said SIU head coach Jerry Kill. "We were excited about doing that at home, and I just think the kids were ready to play."
SIU (8-1, 5-0) has won 11 consecutive contests at home since last season. The Saluki running machine racked up 436 yards on the ground - compared to 50 for Western Illinois (4-5, 2-3).
"I think a lot of that has to do with our offensive line getting better," Kill said. "One of them (Jacobs) wasn't even here in the spring, and I still think we can keep getting better."
The Salukis' 66 points is a school record against Division I-AA opponents, and their 606 yards of total offense ties an SIU record.
Jacobs finished with 128 yards, and the team totaled 436 on the ground. Craig Turner added 96 yards rushing.
SIU led 28-0 when Jacobs made one cut to the outside and outran the WIU secondary for a 64-yard TD. Jacobs only carried the ball seven times in the game.
"When we move people off the ball like that we're going to have as many yards as we want," Jacobs said. "I give credit to my offensive line."
The Salukis inched one step closer to clinching at least a tie in the conference.
"It feels good because I haven't really won anything since high school," Jacobs said.
Western's Travis Glasford put the Leathernecks on the scoreboard with a 1-yard TD run, but Jacobs returned the favor a few minutes later.
The Auburn transfer took a handoff and ran through an enormous hole for a 28-yard score. The Salukis tacked on a field goal and led 45-7 at halftime.
"You can only run behind the men in the front," Craig Turner said. "That's where the game is won."
Craig Turner had an impressive 43-yard TD run to put SIU up 28-0 at the end of the first quarter. The true freshman exploded up the middle was gone.
"All I have to do is get the ball, run behind my offensive linemen and things happen," Craig Turner said.
Western Illinois head coach Don Patterson had plenty of praise for SIU.
"They're an outstanding team," Patterson said. "I think they have a great chance to make a run in the playoffs, and maybe win the whole thing."
Patterson added that his team simply lost the game at the line scrimmage.
"If you can't defend the line of scrimmage, then you're in trouble," Patterson said. "Right now, that's the situation we're in."
SIU quarterback Joel Sambursky - who was not as sharp as he usually is - threw a beautiful strike to a streaking Brent Little down the sideline for a 50-yard TD pass. The first string left the game after that play, which put the Salukis up 52-7 with 3:11 remaining in the third quarter.
Sambursky was 10-of-23 with two touchdowns and one interception. He added a TD pass to tight end Chris Kupec on Southern's second possession of the game. Sambursky did have several of his passes dropped by Saluki receivers.
The defense had a 28-point advantage in the first quarter, but it maintained its focus throughout the contest.
"As a defensive player, it allows you to be a little more laid back," said SIU linebacker Royal Whitaker. "You don't have to worry as much."
Saluki safety Alexis Moreland did not want a repeat of last year's 28-7 halftime lead at Northern Iowa, which evaporated and put a damper on the regular season.
"That messed the rest of the season for us last year," Moreland said. "It messed up the playoff bracket we ended up in, and we had to travel to Delaware.
"We're not thinking about being up 28 points because we have to go out there and stop them from scoring."
The Salukis remember what happened last year, and have their sights set on a more positive outcome as this regular season winds down.
"It's a finish a job thing now," Moreland said. "It's about climbing the mountain, and now we're trying to peak."
Arkee Whitlock carried the ball 10 times for 62 yards and added a touchdown as well.
Coach Kill insisted that the Salukis were not trying to make a statement - which they most certainly did - with this game.
"We were just trying to win the game," Kill said. "You have to win at home if you're going to win the Gateway Conference."
Kill also wanted to make sure that nothing happened similar to last year's loss at UNI.
"I try to forget that game," Kill said. "Northern Iowa taught us a lesson on that, and I'm always concerned until the game is over."
Backup quarterback Jon Cairns came on and threw a 4-yard TD to tight end Micah Turner at the end of the third quarter. Cairns - who looked impressive running the ball as well - scrambled for a 6-yard score in the fourth quarter.
"The bottom line is we turned our program around because we're playing great defense right now," Kill said. "We're doing a great job of playing run defense and pass defense."
The Salukis hit the road on Saturday to face Illinois State in Normal at 1:30 p.m.
"It's certainly a big game for us on Saturday," Kill said. "Illinois State has really improved their program."
Team Stats
WIU 0, SIU 7
SIU - Brandon Jacobs 18 yd run (Craig Coffin kick), 7 plays, 75 yards, TOP 2:12
WIU 0, SIU 14
SIU - Chris Kupec 6 yd pass from Joel Sambursky (Craig Coffin kick) 2 plays, 3 yards, TOP 1:15
WIU 0, SIU 21
SIU - Arkee Whitlock 1 yd run (Craig Coffin kick), 4 plays, 52 yards, TOP 1:25
WIU 0, SIU 28
SIU - Craig Turner 43 yd run (Craig Coffin kick), 1 plays, 43 yards, TOP 0:07
WIU 0, SIU 35
SIU - Brandon Jacobs 64 yd run (Craig Coffin kick), 4 plays, 80 yards, TOP 1:31
WIU 7, SIU 35
WIU - Glasford,Travis 1 yd run (Langan, Justin kick), 3 plays, 55 yards, TOP 1:03
WIU 7, SIU 42
SIU - Brandon Jacobs 28 yd run (Craig Coffin kick), 2 plays, 55 yards, TOP 0:17
WIU 7, SIU 45
SIU - Craig Coffin 34 yd field goal 10 plays, 53 yards, TOP 2:25
WIU 7, SIU 52
SIU - Brent Little 50 yd pass from Joel Sambursky (Craig Coffin kick) 7 plays, 83 yards, TOP 3:28
WIU 7, SIU 59
SIU - Micah Turner 4 yd pass from Jon Cairns (Craig Coffin kick) 4 plays, 32 yards, TOP 1:13
WIU 7, SIU 66
SIU - Jon Cairns 6 yd run (Craig Coffin kick), 8 plays, 58 yards, TOP 2:53
WIU 13, SIU 66
WIU - Douglas, Alex 2 yd run (Langan, Justin passfailed), 13 plays, 87 yards, TOP 4:29