South Dakota's Second-Half Surge Sinks Salukis

Saturday, October 10

Vermillion, SD

1 PM

Southern Illinois University

3-4 , 1-2

South Dakota

5-2 , 2-1

Team	1st	2nd	3rd	4th	Final F
Southern Illinois	0	7	3	0	10
South Dakota	7	7	3	14	31

10/10/2026 | 8:54:00 | Football, General

Box Score Box Score Photo Gallery

By: Todd Hefferman, SIUSalukis.com

VERMILLION, S.D. - South Dakota outscored Southern Illinois University's football team 17-3 in the second half to pull away for a 31-10 win at the DakotaDome Saturday.
Bohdie Ing's 31-yard field goal on the No. 10/12 Coyotes' first drive of the third quarter extended their lead to 10. The No. 25 Salukis answered with a 26-yard Weston Schofield field goal, but couldn't muster much more.
USD (5-2, 2-1 Missouri Valley Football Conference) beat SIU (3-4, 1-2) for the fifth straight time.

SIU drove to the USD 15-yard line on the opening drive of the game, but came up empty. Quarterback DJ Williams completed a 2-yard pass to Eddie Robinson, who turned it up to the Coyote 15. On fourth-and-2, the Salukis went for it. Williams' pass to Markel Quick fell incomplete.
USD surged ahead 14-0 off Jackson Proctor's 13-yard touchdown run and a 56-yard pass from Austyn Modrzewski to Tennel Bryant. Bryant's fourth touchdown catch of the season helped the Coyotes go up 14-0 with 8:36 to go in the half, but the Salukis got back into the game.
SIU converted two third downs and one fourth down on the way to its only touchdown of the game late in the half. Williams found Tae Marrero Jr. for a 14-yard gain on a third-and-12 at its own 39. Facing a third-and-1 at the USD 38, the Salukis turned to their 2026 workhorse, running back Chandler Chapman, and he delivered with a 6-yard gain.
Chapman, a 5-foot-11, 210-pound senior, rushed for a team-high 86 yards on 21 carries. His 86 yards were the most for a Saluki running back this season since Chapman went for 132 on 24 carries in the win at Samford Sept. 3.
Lem Wash, who scored the game-winning touchdown at Samford, came up short on a third-and-2 at the USD 24. Williams picked him up with a 3-yard sneak on fourth-and-2 to keep the drive alive. A pass interference call in the end zone gave the Salukis the ball at the Coyote 2. After a false start penalty moved the ball back to the 7, Williams found Kyle Thomas for a 7-yard touchdown. Schofield added the extra point to pull SIU within 14-7.

SIU won the time of possession battle by a minute, 42 seconds, but had only three drives in the entire second half. The Salukis' only drive of the third, a 5-minute march into the red zone, ended in a field goal.
USD went up 24-10 51 seconds into the fourth quarter off a 44-yard touchdown run by Bryant. Bryant, a 5-7, 170-pound senior, broke through the right side to cap a 7-play, 75-yard scoring drive that took 4:27 off the clock. The Coyotes went 58 yards in 2:52 to go up 31-10 and ran out the last 3:51 of the game.
Modrzewski completed 16 of 20 passes for 268 yards. He was sacked twice and lost a fumble in the first half. Cornerback Cameron Cason sacked him at the SIU 18 and forced the fumble. Defensive tackle Amir Dwight recovered for the Salukis' 14th takeaway this season.
SIU has had at least one takeaway in every game this season.
Charles Pierre Jr. rushed for 138 yards and a touchdown for USD, which moved to 4-0 at home. Brayden White caught four passes for 84 yards. Linebacker Wade Abrams had a game-high 11 stops for the Coyotes' defense.
Safety Vinny Pierre Jr. led SIU with eight tackles. Linebacker Andrew Behm had six tackles, including a sack and tackle for loss.
Williams completed 18 of 29 passes for 179 yards. He was sacked once. Six of his completions went to Allen Middleton, who finished with 64 yards.
SIU returns home for its next two games, beginning Oct. 17 against No. 12/13 Illinois State. Kickoff against the Redbirds is set for 3 p.m. at Saluki Stadium for Homecoming. The Salukis' 2026 Hall of Fame class will be inducted Friday night, and honored at Saturday's game. Tickets are available at https://saluk.is/SIUTickets.

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