Late touchdown lifts SEMO over Football, 34-31

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CARBONDALE, Ill. — SEMO quarterback Paxton DeLaurent threw a two-yard touchdown pass to Damoriea Vick in the left corner of the end zone with 11 seconds remaining in the game to lift the Redhawks to a 34-31 win over Southern Illinois in the annual War For The Wheel on Saturday night at Saluki Stadium.

The Redhawks (1-1) were aided by a pair of fourth-down pass interference penalties against the Salukis (0-2) during the 14-play, 76-yard game-winning drive. Had either call gone in Southern's favor — and neither flag was obvious — the outcome would have been different.

Coming off back-to-back playoff appearance, SIU head coach Nick Hill cut to the chase during his postgame press conference.

"We're going to own what we are, we're 0-2," Hill said. "We got beat on the road (last week) and didn't play well, and then we came home with an opportunity to respond, a rivalry game, and we got beat at home. There's no pointing fingers. We have to rally together and stay together, which we will. It starts with me at the top."

The Salukis appeared to have momentum after Justin Strong scored on a four-yard run up the middle with 2:50 remaining. The burst capped a 65-yard drive and gave Southern a 31-27 lead.

On SEMO's final possession, DeLaurent, who completed 33-of-44 passes for 332 yards and four touchdowns, moved the Redhawks to the SIU 22, where the drive appeared to stall.

Then on 4th-and-9 from the 22, DeLaurent threw a desperation pass into a crowd of two receivers and two defenders near the SIU goal line. The ball landed at the 1, well short of the nearest receiver, Ryan Flournoy, but Saluki defender DJ Johnson was flagged for interference, keeping the drive alive.

"I thought the game was over," said SIU wide receiver Avante Cox. "I was jumping up and down. I thought the game all we had to do was go take a knee, but once I saw the yellow flag, I knew we had four more downs to go."

SEMO caught another break on 4th-and-2 at the SIU 3, when DeLaurent lofted a pass over the head of Flournoy in the left corner of the end zone, but Johnson was again flagged for interference.

Hill protested both calls on the field, but said he didn't discuss officiating with his team afterward.

"We have to win the football game before we let referees decide the outcome of the game," he said. "I didn't bring up the referees one time in the locker room."

The 90th meeting all-time between the teams was evenly matched. SIU had a 22-21 edge in first downs, while SEMO held a 390-385 advantage in total yards. The lead changed hands 10 times.

Southern's offense was more efficient than in Week 1. Saluki quarterback Nic Baker completed 20-of-36 passes for 248 yards, including a pair touchdown passes to Cox from 16 and six yards out. Cox had seven catches for 86 yards. Running back Ro Elliott had a 42-yard touchdown run for the Salukis, and Javon Williams Jr. caught a 33-yard pass.

Defensively, the Salukis were solid again versus the run, allowing just 58 yards.

"You don't have time in life to start feeling sorry for yourself," Hill said. "We play Northwestern next week, a very good team. We have to have the same mentality when we play them as if we're 2-0."

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Team Stats

Nic Baker

Javon Williams Jr.

Players Mentioned

Nic Baker

Avante Cox

Ro Elliott

DJ Johnson

Justin Strong

Javon Williams Jr.

Players Mentioned

Nic Baker

Avante Cox

Ro Elliott

DJ Johnson

Justin Strong

Javon Williams Jr.

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