Southern Illinois University
7-3 , 5-2
Indiana St.
4-6 , 2-5
Football wins big at Indiana State, 47-21
11/13/2021 | 4:04:00 | Football
Buy tickets to next week's game vs. Youngstown State for $10 with promo code "SENIOR"
TERRE HAUTE, Ind. — Southern Illinois kept both its playoff hopes and conference championship ambitions alive with a 47-21 win on a chilly Saturday at Indiana State.
The No. 15-ranked Salukis (7-3, 5-2) blew the game open with a touchdown on the final play of the first half and three unanswered scores in the third quarter, including a pick-six by defensive end Anthony Knighton.
Leading, 13-7, with five seconds to go before halftime, Hill bet on his offense, giving Javon Williams Jr. a crack at the end zone from the ISU 6. Had he come up short, SIU would have come up empty. Instead, the burly tailback plowed through defenders and dove across the goal line for six.
"That was a drive we had to have," Hill said. "We had to go and answer (Indiana State's TD drive). That's what great teams do. It was a gutsy drive."
Williams Jr. leads the SIU backfield with eight rushing touchdowns on the season, but today's game marked the first time he's reached the end zone since Week 4 vs. Illinois State.
"What I said on the headset was, 'I just have a gut feeling about this' and put it in Javon's hands," Hill explained. "It's a play we hadn't shown all season. I knew if we could sustain the line of scrimmage and get pullers out in front of Javon, he could get it in."
After struggling to run the ball in recent weeks, Southern totaled 282 yards on the ground. Williams Jr. led a balanced attack with 79 yards rushing, including a 43-yard TD run in the fourth quarter.
"Coach has been trusting me to take advantage of opportunities since I've been here," Williams Jr. said. "Like I told him when I first got here, I want to be put in uncomfortable situations, and he does that all of the time. I just have to make it happen."
Southern took the opening kickoff of the second half and marched 81 yards in 10 plays for a touchdown, pushing the lead to 26-7. Donnavan Spencer was the featured back at the end of the drive, picking up the final 30 yards on his own, capped by a two-yard TD plunge.
"I feel like we have weapons," Hill said. "When we can have explosive runs in a series — nine, 11, 13-yard runs, this offense gets going."
The Salukis blew the game open on the Sycamores' (4-6, 2-5) next drive. On the first play from scrimmage, ISU quarterback Anthony Thompson had his pass deflected at the line of scrimmage by Jordan Berner into the hands of Knighton, who rumbled 19 yards down the sideline for the pick six.
It's been a remarkable season for soft-spoken Knighton, who set the school record for consecutive games started, broke the career sacks record last week and now adds an interception return to his portfolio.
"Especially in this day-and-age with social media — he's a throwback," Hill said. "Not tweeting about himself. He easily could. Quietly, he's put together one of the best careers in Saluki Football history."
Southern's offense added another score in the third quarter, a nine-yard fade route perfectly thrown by Nic Baker to Avante Cox. It was their second TD connection of the day and gave SIU a 40-7 lead.
"It was good to see them connect today," said Hill, of the Rochester, Illinois duo. "They're really great friends, they've grown up together and trust each other so much."
Saluki cornerback David Miller turned in another huge game for the defense. He intercepted two passes, giving him three picks in the last two games.
"I'm really proud of David," Hill said. "He and PJ (Jules) didn't come out of game for six weeks straight. They played every single snap. He's technically a freshman on the field and has a bright future."
Southern returns home for its regular-season finale next Saturday against Youngstown State at noon. Not only is it Senior Day at Saluki Stadium, but a potential playoff berth and possible conference title are on the line. SIU trails league-leading North Dakota State by one game in the standings.
Saluki Athletics is offering a special $10 ticket when purchasing online using the promo code "SENIOR".
Team Stats
SIU 3, IND 0
SIU - Gualdoni, Nico 23 yd field goal 12 plays, 43 yards, TOP 4:08
SIU 10, IND 0
SIU - Cox, Avante 31 yd pass from Baker, Nic (Gualdoni, Nico kick) 5 plays, 64 yards, TOP 1:56
SIU 13, IND 0
SIU - Gualdoni, Nico 25 yd field goal 11 plays, 48 yards, TOP 4:35
SIU 13, IND 7
IND - Hendrix,Dante 1 yd pass from Thompson,Anthon (Tierney,Connor kick) 11 plays, 50 yards, TOP 4:41
SIU 19, IND 7
SIU - Williams Jr.,J 6 yd run (Williams Jr.,J passfailed), 14 plays, 75 yards, TOP 3:40
SIU 26, IND 7
SIU - Spencer, Donnav 2 yd run (Gualdoni, Nico kick), 10 plays, 81 yards, TOP 3:41
SIU 33, IND 7
SIU - Knighton, Antho 19 yd interception (Gualdoni, Nico kick)
SIU 40, IND 7
SIU - Cox, Avante 9 yd pass from Baker, Nic (Gualdoni, Nico kick) 3 plays, 71 yards, TOP 0:49
SIU 40, IND 14
IND - Morgan,Rontrez 23 yd pass from Thompson,Anthon (Tierney,Connor kick) 12 plays, 75 yards, TOP 5:28
SIU 47, IND 14
SIU - Williams Jr.,J 43 yd run (Gualdoni, Nico kick), 6 plays, 67 yards, TOP 2:58
SIU 47, IND 21
IND - Hendrix,Dante 1 yd pass from Wilderman,Kurti (Tierney,Connor kick) 13 plays, 75 yards, TOP 6:09
