SIU's second half comeback falls short at YSU, 21-14

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Nov 8

1 PM (CT)

Football

#21/#22 Youngstown State

Youngstown, OH

Nov 15

12 PM

Football

#22/#25 South Dakota

Carbondale, IL

Nov 22

12 PM

Football

#16/#17 Illinois State

Normal, IL

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – The Southern Illinois football team suffered another heartbreaking loss on Saturday afternoon, falling at No. 15 Youngstown State, 21-14. SIU trailed 14-0 at the break, but the Salukis dominated the second half and forced the game to go down to the final play; Southern's potential game-tying throw was caught just a few yards short of the end zone.

"There's no one that's pouting—there never is—but there are no moral victories, either," SIU head coach Nick Hill said. "We have to find a way to go on the road and get wins. That's not easy."

The game was a tale of two halves. Youngstown State (7-3, 5-2 MVFC) outgained SIU 302-128 in the first half and held a 14-0 lead. The Salukis (3-7, 1-6 MVFC) were just as dominant in the second half, outgaining the Penguins 301-124. SIU put up more yards against YSU than any other FCS team has managed against the Penguins.

"In the second half, we moved the ball on Youngstown State better than anyone has all season," Hill said. "Last week, North Dakota State only ran 59 plays against these guys and couldn't pick up first downs in the second half. West Virginia moved the ball a little bit on them, but Northern Iowa came here and had (173) yards total offense."

SIU tied the game at 14 early in the fourth quarter, and the defense got a stop on the ensuing possession to give Southern a chance to take the lead. But the drive stalled, and Youngstown went 49 yards in 7 plays for the go-ahead score.

Southern Illinois went 73 yards on the next seven plays to get to the YSU 6-yard line, but three passes went incomplete to turn the ball over on downs. The defense got the stop to turn the ball back to the offense with less than 90 second to play. SIU got to the YSU 35-yard line with five seconds left. Youngstown got pressure on the final play, forcing SIU quarterback Sam Straub to throw quickly and off his back foot. The ball was caught by Israel Lamprakes, but short of the goalline, as time expired.

"It's tough when you go into halftime and you feel like you haven't been able to do much," Hill said. "You're up against the wall, and we flipped the momentum and got the momentum in that game."

SIU, which fell to 3-7 this season, has lost six one-possession games. Five of the team's six MVFC losses are by just one possession, but the Salukis appear to be on the brink of turning the tide. Last week, SIU pulled out a 35-28 win with a goal line stand. This week, SIU nearly knocked off a top-15 ranked program with a dominant second half.

"I've been proud of this team the entire season, the way that they've battled," Hill said. "There's never a question of how hard we're going to play, or being locked into the game plan, or giving ourselves a chance to win. There's no one in that locker room that doesn't have that feeling in their gut. It doesn't matter if we're out of the playoffs or not. That's how close we are."

Up next, SIU hosts Western Illinois for Senior Day on November 19 in Saluki Stadium. Kickoff is set for 2 p.m.

"We have seven more days together as a family," Hill said. "That's the thing about football. Every year, it changes. It's the same program; we're all Salukis. But each season is special in its own right because it's the only time that group will be together. Next year, we will have new freshmen. Everybody involved with Saluki Football will give everything they have the next seven days to play their best on Saturday at home. We have a lot to play for. We have seniors who have given a lot to this program who will fight. There's no better feeling that going out a winner."

NOTES

SIU wide receiver Billy Reed caught six passes, giving him 110 career receptions. He is now in the top-10 in SIU history for career receptions...Israel Lamprakes had 156 yards receiving, the most for any SIU player since Jeff Evans had 159 yards against Northern Iowa in 2010...SIU had 60 more yards total offense than any other FCS opponent has gained against Youngstown State this year...Jonathan Mixon had a rushing touchdown, just the fourth rushing touchdown against Youngstown State all year.

SIU HEAD COACH NICK HILL

On adjustments... "I was proud of the way we adjusted. Defensively, a couple things they were getting us on, we made some adjustments that made them work a lot harder. We got stops at the end when we needed them to give ourselves a chance. Obviously, you'd like to punch that in there and tie the game, but we didn't."

On Sam Straub, who started his second-straight game... "He's shown a lot, moving the football. He's tough. I think that's the second game in a row that he hasn't turned the ball over. He's making good decisions, and he's been a competitor. I like the way he is on the sideline. I like his demeanor. I like the way he steps in the huddle when we need a drive, and he's vocal. I'm proud of Sam because he's made some plays in games that we haven't been able to make. Even that last drive. Those are tough throws. Those defensive ends were peppering him all day, and those are the two best defensive ends we've seen all season."

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Sam Straub

Kyle Newquist

Players Mentioned

Israel Lamprakes

Jonathan Mixon

Billy Reed

Sam Straub

Players Mentioned

Israel Lamprakes

Jonathan Mixon

Billy Reed

Sam Straub

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