Southern Illinois University
Eastern Washington
Football Falls to Eastern Washington in I-AA Playoffs
11/27/2004 | 12:00:00 | Football
Nov. 27, 2004
By Scott Mees
www.SIUSalukis.com
CARBONDALE, Ill. - In the end - on a rain-soaked field at McAndrew Stadium - the Salukis simply ran out of time.
Eastern Washington quarterback Erik Meyer threw to Eric Kimble over the middle -- and the receiver outran the SIU secondary to the end zone with 1:49 left - as the Eagles upset top-seeded Southern Illinois 35-31 Saturday in the NCAA Division I-AA Playoffs.
The game went back and forth in the last quarter, and the Salukis' final drive ended as Joel Sambursky's pass was knocked down at the EWU 20-yard-line as time expired.
"We had enough time, but we just didn't execute," Sambursky said. "And, they're a great football team."
The Salukis, who had an outstanding regular season, found themselves in a disappointing first-round loss in the postseason.
"We played a very good football team today, and we knew that going in," said SIU head coach Jerry Kill. "We didn't take them lightly or anything like that.
"We played as hard as we can play, and they played better than we did today."
Darius Washington ran seven yards for a TD and put the Eagles up 28-24 with 13:37 remaining in the game. But, late in the quarter, Brandon Jacobs continued his dominant performance for SIU (10-2).
"We played hard, but the ball just didn't roll our way," Jacobs said. "We made it down to the end zone, we just didn't hook up like we're used to doing."
The Salukis - trailing 28-24 - began from their own one-yard-line after Alexis Moreland forced the ball out of Meyer's hands as the QB was attempting to score. The drive began with a 15-yard steamroll by Jacobs - who took half of the EWU defense along for the ride.
"Every time I touch the ball I don't want to be stopped," Jacobs said. "A lot of the stuff I did here tonight is just a credit to my offensive line."
Later on the same drive, Arkee Whitlock burst up the field to the SIU 48. Whitlock followed with a pair of nice carries totaling 12 yards. A pass interference penalty on EWU moved the ball to the Eagles' 17. Then, on second down from the 15, Sambursky ran to the outside and rumbled down the to 4.
"It's a tough environment to play in, and of course it had something to do with it," Sambursky said. "But we still should have won the game."
Jacobs followed with his fourth rushing TD of the game, and the Salukis led 31-28 with only 2:37 remaining.
The bruising tailback scored four touchdowns and rushed for 166 yards in the game.
Sambursky and company had just marched 99 yards in nine plays, but Eastern Washington kept its focus and returned the favor. Unfortunately for SIU, Meyer had just a little too much time remaining.
SIU led 17-7 and had the momentum at halftime, but EWU changed the direction of the contest within the first minute of the second half.
On second down at the SIU 22, EWU safety Nick Denbeigh slipped in front of SIU's Micah Turner and picked off Sambursky's pass. On the very next play, Washington ran 23 yards for a score - and EWU moved to within three points at 17-14.
Even though SIU drove 76 yards for a TD on its next posession - Jacobs had a one-yard score - Eastern Washington knew it could play with the Salukis, and things went downhill from there.
The game started off well for SIU, and the team drove 66 yards down the field resulting in a 32-yard TD for Jacobs. The Auburn transfer looked like a man among boys as he dragged defenders and broke tackles on the long scoring run.
In the second quarter, Meyer had a lifetime in the backfield before finding Kimble - in the corner of the end zone - for a 14-yard TD pass. Before that, Kimble returned a punt 41 yards to the SIU 24, which set up a short field once again for the Eagles (9-3).
The Salukis tacked on a field goal and led 17-7 at the intermission.
Meyer - the nation's top-rated QB - threw for a remarkable 437 yards and three touchdowns. The junior threw 31-of-44 with just one interception for EWU. Kimble caught 11 passes for 195 yards and three touchdowns.
"Offensively, we haven't played anybody like that," Kill said. "And certainly with their quarterback, he's about as good as it gets."
Sambursky was 14-of-31 with one pick for 163 yards. The junior QB had several gutsy running plays that resulted in 51 rushing yards. Brent Little had four receptions for 62 yards for SIU, and Quorey Payne caught three for 22.
Whitlock rushed for 87 yards on 16 carries - including a 22-yard gain on the Salukis' final scoring drive.
After the game, in the SIU locker room, most of the players were distraught with what occurred on the field.
A visibly upset Moreland probably echoed the sentiments of many people around the Southern Illinois area.
"I want to take my hat off to Eastern Washington," Moreland said. "They came out and beat the best team in the country today.
"I've spent four years in this program, and you never want to go out with a loss."
Kill expressed how proud he was of all of his players but especially for those who will not be coming back next year.
"We're certainly down about today, but there's been a heck of a lot accomplished here in a short time," Kill said. "I don't feel bad for myself, but I feel bad for the seniors.
"They gave a lot to this program, and they put us where we're at."
Eastern Washington will play Sam Houston State in the second round of the playoffs.
