Gritty effort comes up short as Saluki Football falls to Youngstown State, 17-14

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YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio — For the third-straight week, Southern Illinois came up on the short end of a one-score game, falling to Youngstown State, 17-14, on Saturday night at Stambaugh Stadium.

This one was especially frustrating because the Salukis (1-4, 0-2) led for most of the contest and appeared to make a game-winning stop on defense with a 14-6 lead and five minutes remaining in the 4th quarter.

The play that changed the complexion of the game was an under-thrown fade pass by Youngstown State quarterback Montgomery VanGorder that SIU safety Joe Patterson leaped high to intercept in the end zone. Patterson, however, was flagged for pass interference to give YSU 1st-and-goal at Southern's four.

It took the Penguins (2-3, 1-1) three plays to score a TD and a successful two-point conversion tied the game, 14-14, with 4:36 remaining.

"I thought Joe Patterson played it just like we would tell him," said SIU head coach Nick Hill. "The receiver didn't know where the ball was, he hadn't got his head around yet, Joe Patterson picks it off, two hands up in the air, high-points the ball."

Southern went 3-and-out on its next drive when backup quarterback Matt DeSomer was flagged for intentional grounding and misfired on two downfield throws. A short punt set the Penguins up at the SIU 39, and they ran off eight plays and most of the game clock before Zak Kennedy kicked a game-winning 34-yard field goal with 26 seconds to go.

"I hate it for the guys in the locker room," Hill said. "As a coach, you hate it when a hundred guys show up and give you everything they've got, competed, they do everything for you. You want to do something for them so they can have that winning feeling."

In just his second-career start, the dual-threat DeSomer passed for 105 yards and ran for 100. He played in place of Sam Straub, who suffered a concussion in last week's game against South Dakota.

"We're fighting our tails off and fall short," said DeSomer, a fifth-year senior. "I feel like it's been like this since I've been here. I know Coach wants to change the program around and I do, too. I just hate losing."

DeSomer scored on a quarterback sneak early in the 4th quarter to put Southern up, 14-6, and played a solid game overall, despite over-shooting a couple of receivers who were open deep.

"I thought Matt came here and competed and did a good job," Hill said. "He was efficient with what we did. It was only his second start of the year and not being the guy whose taken all the reps all year long. I'm sure there's some things he wished he could have back and there's some things I wish I could have called to get him in some better spots. He didn't turn the ball over, rushed for a hundred yards, made some big throws, picked up some big first downs."

Missing a host of key players, Southern delivered a gritty effort. The Salukis began the night down seven starters and lost five more starters during the game. Remarkably, on the final drive, the team played with four different defensive backs than the ones who started the season.

"There's no other choice, really," said SIU head coach Nick Hill. "You just have to keep competing and the next guy steps up. Your depth will be tested throughout a college football season. Sometimes you hope it's not this much."

SIU's defense allowed just 293 total yards and recorded 10 tackles for loss, two interceptions and three sacks. The defense was flagged numerous times for pass interference, however, in a game that was tightly officiated.

Southern played most of the second half without its best player on defense. Safety Jeremy Chinn was ejected during the third quarter for targeting, though a replay available in the press box did not show any contact with the helmet. It was a crushing blow because Chinn had already created two turnovers, deflecting one pass into the arms of teammate Airan Reed and intercepting another pass to stop a Youngstown drive just before halftime.

"I thought our defense played great," Hill said. "Goal line stands, turnovers, sacks, making people feel uncomfortable, didn't give up the big play for a touchdown. I really couldn't think of a better performance out of these guys."

In the end, Southern is still searching for a way to break through in close games.

"We could be sitting at 4-1 but we're not," Hill said. "Like I told them, we're going to keep doing what we know works — keep being good players on and off the field, competing, good teammates, even though it's tough. It's the only choice we got."

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