Southern Illinois University
3-1 , 1-0
Western Illinois
2-3 , 0-1
#2-Ranked Football Edges Western Illinois, 34-24
10/08/2005 | 12:00:00 | Football
Oct. 8, 2005
By Tom Weber
www.SIUSalukis.com
MACOMB, Ill.- After running roughshod over Gateway Conference teams in 2004, Southern Illinois has found the trek more difficult in 2005.
The #2-ranked Salukis beat Western Illinois, 34-24, Saturday night at Hanson Field, but for the second-straight week, the victory was in doubt until late.
Last year, SIU beat Gateway teams by an average of 31 points per game. This year, Southern Illinois (4-1, 2-0) needed overtime to beat Missouri State a week ago and found itself tied with Western Illinois (2-4, 0-2) late in the third quarter.
"We are not going to be able to beat teams by 50 points," said Saluki quarterback Joel Sambursky. "I wish we could walk in and score 50 a game and walk away with a victory, but it's not going to be like that. Every game is going to be a dog-fight."
Fortunately for the Salukis, Sambursky is at his best in pressure situations. With the score tied, 17-17, he hit Kellen Allen on a 47-yard touchdown pass with 57 seconds to go in the third quarter. The play stemmed Western's momentum, as the Leathernecks had rallied from a 17-3 deficit to tie the game on their previous possession.
The teams traded fourth quarter touchdowns, and the Salukis were able to seal the victory with a 9-play, 41-yard drive that resulted in a Craig Coffin 27-yard field goal with 1:48 left in the game.
It was an up-and-down night for the Saluki defense. On the plus side, it sacked Leatherneck quarterback Steve LaFalce nine times, including three by defensive end Lorenzo Wims and two by Lionel Williams. However, LaFalce was still effective, passing for 352 yards.
"I am just happy with the defense period," said Coach Kill. "I thought we played as hard as I've seen us play in a long time."
"I like the way we flew around and chased the ball. It all starts with the guys up front, and they got after it tonight."
SIU's offense played without starting running back Arkee Whitlock, who was injured last week against Missouri State. Nevertheless, Southern Illinois came out determined to establish the running game, lining up in a three-tight end, no wide receiver formation to begin the contest.
That gameplan was modestly effective, as Craig Turner totaled 142 rushing yards and three touchdowns subbing for Whitlock, but 72 yards came on one second quarter run, and the Salukis were not consistently able to move the ball on the ground.
"We all know how valuable Arkee is to our football team," said Kill. "Craig had some big plays, we are glad he stepped in there and did a good job."
In the first half, Sambursky attempted only four passes, completing one. When the running game became ineffective in the third quarter, it was jettisoned in favor of Sambursky's right arm. The Payton Award candidate responded with 11 completions and 192 yards.
"We could not get anything going offensively, and it was hard to get a rhythm," said Sambursky.
The win extended SIU's winning streak against Gateway Conference opponents to nine games.
The Salukis have won four in a row against the Leathernecks, marking a dramatic turnaround in a series that used to be dominated by Western. WIU won 18-straight against the Salukis from 1984 to 2001.
Southern may well regain its #1 ranking in the polls after top-ranked New Hampshire lost to William & Mary Saturday, 42-10.
Team Stats
SIU 7, WIU 0
SIU - Turner,Craig 2 yd run (Coffin,Craig kick), 3 plays, 25 yards, TOP 0:55
SIU 7, WIU 3
WIU - Rowan, Taylor 27 yd field goal 15 plays, 74 yards, TOP 5:39
SIU 10, WIU 3
SIU - Coffin,Craig 43 yd field goal 5 plays, 39 yards, TOP 2:30
SIU 17, WIU 3
SIU - Turner,Craig 72 yd run (Coffin,Craig kick), 2 plays, 80 yards, TOP 0:49
SIU 17, WIU 10
WIU - Sims, Carl 9 yd pass from LaFalce, Steve (Rowan, Taylor kick) 4 plays, 90 yards, TOP 1:45
SIU 17, WIU 17
WIU - Sims, Carl 4 yd pass from LaFalce, Steve (Rowan, Taylor kick) 8 plays, 31 yards, TOP 4:17
SIU 24, WIU 17
SIU - Allen,Kellen 47 yd pass from Sambursky,Joel (Coffin,Craig kick) 3 plays, 66 yards, TOP 1:09
SIU 31, WIU 17
SIU - Turner,Craig 1 yd run (Coffin,Craig kick), 8 plays, 49 yards, TOP 3:42
SIU 31, WIU 24
WIU - Gray, Reggie 13 yd pass from LaFalce, Steve (Rowan, Taylor kick) 5 plays, 72 yards, TOP 0:56
SIU 34, WIU 24
SIU - Coffin,Craig 27 yd field goal 9 plays, 41 yards, TOP 3:24