Southern Illinois University
0-1 , 0-0
BYU
1-0 , 0-0
Recap | Football falls at BYU, 41-13
08/31/2024 | 11:34:00 | Football
PROVO, Utah — BYU scored 24 second-half points to pull away from Southern Illinois, 41-13, in front of 63,712 fans at sold-out LaVell Edwards Stadium on Saturday.
The Salukis (0-1) have given FBS and Power Five teams fits in recent years, including wins over Northwestern and Northern Illinois, so the host Cougars (1-0) were not taking the visitors from Carbondale lightly.
BYU made a statement on its 13-play, opening touchdown drive, successfully converting a pair of fourth-down situations, and using a wide receiver pass, that caught SIU off guard.
Meanwhile, Southern's offense picked up only two first downs in the first quarter before it finally came to life late in the second period.
With his team trailing, 14-0, SIU quarterback DJ Williams guided an eight-play, 70-yard, scoring drive that featured a 43-yard pass to Keontez Lewis, setting up a 4-yard Williams touchdown run. After a missed extra point, the Salukis trailed, 14-6, with 0:46 seconds left in the half.
The momentum didn't last long, as BYU swiftly moved into position for a 50-yard field goal on the final play of the first half to make it 17-6 at the break.
BYU added a pair of touchdown passes by Jake Retzlaff in the third quarter to blow the game open, 31-6. Retzlaff completed 20-of-30 passes for 348 yards. Five, different receivers had catches of 20+ yards.
"Disappointed that we didn't make that a four-quarter game like we've done in the past playing an FBS opponent," said SIU head coach Nick Hill. "BYU played really well, they played a clean game. I tip my hat to them — they have an experienced, physical group up front on both sides of the ball and they created some challenges for us tonight."
Named the staring quarterback earlier in the week, Williams was SIU's top weapon on offense, carrying for 121 yards with a pair of touchdown runs. He also completed 10-of-20 passes for 98 yards.
"I thought that (DJ) played solid," Hill said. "He has a great demeanor out there. You can see his toughness, the athleticism that he brings, and throwing the football."
Late in the third quarter, Williams picked up most of the yardage on SIU's second touchdown drive, rushing for 62 yards on a 75-yard drive, including a 38-yard TD scamper down the left sideline that momentarily quieted the crowd.
"It was a great atmosphere," Williams said. "That's the kind of game I live for and the kind of game I want to be in. Shout-out the BYU fans — they made it a hard environment to play in."
BYU remained unbeaten versus FCS opponents, while the Salukis dropped to 0-6 all-time against the Big 12 and 2-19 against Power Four teams.
"We really only have one choice — to take ownership, dive into the tape, grow, and go out next week and try to get that first win," Hill said.
Team Stats
SIU 0, BYU 7
BYU - Ropati,Hinckley 1 yd run (Ferrin,Will kick), 13 plays, 65 yards, TOP 07:12
SIU 0, BYU 14
BYU - Phillips,Jojo 57 yd pass from Retzlaff,Jake (Ferrin,Will kick) 4 plays, 86 yards, TOP 01:21
SIU 6, BYU 14
SIU - Williams,DJ 4 yd run (), 8 plays, 70 yards, TOP 02:43
SIU 6, BYU 17
BYU - Ferrin,Will 50 yd field goal 5 plays, 43 yards, TOP 00:46
SIU 6, BYU 24
BYU - Martin,LJ 7 yd pass from Retzlaff,Jake (Ferrin,Will kick) 7 plays, 75 yards, TOP 03:41
SIU 6, BYU 31
BYU - Ta'ase,Mata'ava 19 yd pass from Retzlaff,Jake (Ferrin,Will kick) 3 plays, 38 yards, TOP 01:27
SIU 13, BYU 31
SIU - Williams,DJ 38 yd run (Geelen,Paul kick), 8 plays, 75 yards, TOP 03:53
SIU 13, BYU 38
BYU - Martin,LJ 1 yd run (Ferrin,Will kick), 5 plays, 37 yards, TOP 02:25
SIU 13, BYU 41
BYU - Ferrin,Will 41 yd field goal 9 plays, 42 yards, TOP 04:11
