Southern Illinois University
2-4 , 1-2
Indiana State
4-2 , 2-1
Tough luck Salukis fall at Indiana State, 39-36
10/17/2015 | 12:00:00 | Football
By John Lock
SIUSalukis.com
Final Stats | Photo Gallery 
TERRE HAUTE, Ind. - The Southern Illinois football team lost at Indiana State on Saturday afternoon, 39-36. The teams combined for more than 1,100 yards of total offense, and SIU (2-4, 1-2 MVFC) lost by three points or fewer for the fourth time this season.
SIU scored on its opening drive of the game, but Indiana State (4-2, 2-1 MVFC) answered back. The Salukis spent the rest of the game clawing from behind, but they couldn't get back to even after the Sycamores hit a go-ahead field goal as the first half clock expired.
"I'm very proud of the team, how they kept fighting," head coach Dale Lennon said. "They never gave up. Statistically, it probably doesn't look great, but the number of times (the defense) kept them out of the end zone when our backs were against the wall was very impressive."
The teams combined for more than 1,100 yards in the high-scoring game. Indiana State piled up 561 yards, including 329 rushing yards. SIU's defense allowed only three scores--and only one touchdown--in Indiana State's six trips inside the red zone.
Meanwhile, SIU's offense put up 554 yards of its own. Three times in the second half, Indiana State pulled out to a two-score lead. The final time, with only three minutes left in the game, the Sycamores appeared to have put the game away. But Ryan Neal blocked the extra point; the offense scored a touchdown and got the 2-point conversion to get within a field goal. But Indiana State recovered the on-side kick with under 90 seconds remaining and got one first down to seal a win on its Homecoming.
"I won't question the effort or the heart of this football team," Lennon said. "We just need to have some breaks go our way."
While the teams' total offense totals were only seven yards apart, Indiana State's advantages came in rushing yardage (329-127) and penalties. The Sycamores--who entered the game as the most penalized team in the conference--committed only two penalties for 20 yards. SIU had two players ejected for non-reviewable targeting penalties and totaled 94 yards on nine flags.
The Trees also could have had a big special teams edge. They blocked two SIU punts, but the Saluki defense made goal line stands after both blocks to keep SIU within striking distance. Southern has four losses by a combined eight points.
"Our guys deserve better," Lennon said. "They have been playing hard. They don't give up. They hang tight with each other. They just deserve to have some good breaks go their way."
The SIU-INS game was the first in a stretch that is among the toughest in the FCS this year. Four of SIU's five remaining opponents are ranked in the top-12 nationally, including next week's opponent, Youngstown State. The unranked team in that stretch, South Dakota, just beat four-time defending national champion North Dakota State in the Fargodome this afternoon.
"I know we're going to show up tomorrow and go to work," Lennon said. "That part I don't question. There is just too much fight in this group."
NOTES: Mark Iannotti threw for 427 yards, second in SIU history...Iannotti surpassed 400 yards passing for the second time this season. Before 2015, an SIU quarterback had thrown for more than 400 yards only once (Nick Hill vs. UNI in 2007)...Iannotti became the eighth player in program history with more than 4,000 career passing yards...The offensive line did not allow a sack for the fourth consecutive game...Jimmy Jones has 16 receptions, 268 yards and four touchdowns in three MVFC games this year.
Team Stats
SIU 7, INS 0
SIU - Lamprakes, Isra 5 yd pass from Iannotti, Mark (Johnson, Austin kick) 10 plays, 77 yards, TOP 3:53
SIU 7, INS 7
INS - Owens, Gary 30 yd pass from Adam, Matt (Heidorn, Eric kick) 7 plays, 100 yards, TOP 1:43
SIU 7, INS 14
INS - Adam, Matt 43 yd run (Heidorn, Eric kick), 6 plays, 80 yards, TOP 2:11
SIU 14, INS 14
SIU - Isom, Daquan 5 yd run (Johnson, Austin kick), 7 plays, 47 yards, TOP 2:05
SIU 14, INS 17
INS - Heidorn, Eric 27 yd field goal 8 plays, 57 yards, TOP 1:10
SIU 14, INS 24
INS - Owens, Gary 17 yd pass from Adam, Matt (Heidorn, Eric kick) 5 plays, 79 yards, TOP 1:07
SIU 21, INS 24
SIU - Jones, Jimmy 16 yd pass from Iannotti, Mark (Johnson, Austin kick) 5 plays, 65 yards, TOP 1:26
SIU 21, INS 27
INS - Heidorn, Eric 28 yd field goal 12 plays, 68 yards, TOP 5:12
SIU 21, INS 33
INS - Genesy, Roland 54 yd run (Adam, Matt passfailed), 3 plays, 58 yards, TOP 1:00
SIU 28, INS 33
SIU - James, Darrell 56 yd pass from Iannotti, Mark (Johnson, Austin kick) 5 plays, 80 yards, TOP 1:02
SIU 28, INS 39
INS - Owens, Gary 33 yd pass from Adam, Matt (Heidorn, Eric kickblocked) 7 plays, 75 yards, TOP 2:23
SIU 36, INS 39
SIU - Iannotti, Mark 1 yd run (DeSomer, Matt rush), 9 plays, 75 yards, TOP 1:32
