Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Saluki Football unable to overcome early deficit, fall 48-10 at Illinois
09/19/2026 | 11:03:00 | Football
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - Illinois didn't punt until less than seven minutes remained in the opening half, and overwhelmed No. 24/25 Southern Illinois University's football team 48-10 Saturday.
Aidan Laughery broke a 7-7 tie in the first quarter with a 77-yard touchdown run, and the Fighting Illini (2-1) put up over 500 yards of total offense in front of a sold-out Gies Memorial Stadium crowd. Jordan Anderson had a 1-yard scoring run and wide receiver Collin Dixon added two touchdown receptions as part of Illinois' 31-point first half. Dixon, a 6-foot-1, 215-pound senior who entered the game tied for the Big Ten Conference lead with five receiving touchdowns, caught eight passes for 131 yards.
SIU (2-2) evened up the game off Allen Middleton's 8-yard touchdown grab from DJ Williams and Weston Schofield's extra-point kick with 3:46 to go in the opening quarter. Schofield, a true freshman from Jefferson City, Mo., added his first collegiate field goal, from 27 yards out, but the Salukis were shut out in the second half.Â
"For the game, it was a tall task. They have a good football team," SIU coach Nick Hill said. "They've proven that consistently over the last couple of years, and we didn't play winning football to come in here and make it a better game. It'll be just like any game. When we get into Missouri Valley play and we're playing good teams, we have a plan to win, and we have to go execute that."
Laughery finished with a game-high 93 yards rushing on just four carries. Javari Barnett had 50 yards and a touchdown on eight carries for the Illini, who moved to 5-0 lifetime against the Salukis.Â
Quarterback Katin Houser completed 23 of 29 passes for 305 yards and the two scores to Dixon. He was intercepted by Sebastian Vargas in the end zone and sacked twice.Â
Vargas' interception, his second in the last two games, gave SIU's defense its ninth turnover of the season. The Salukis forced 19 turnovers all year last season.Â
Williams completed 20 of 38 passes for 182 yards. He was sacked once.Â
Williams sailed a pass over the head of his receiver that was caught by Illini defensive back Matthew Bailey in the fourth quarter. Bailey returned it 88 yards for a touchdown and a 41-10 lead.Â
The Salukis struggled to establish their running game, finishing with 29 yards on 27 carries. Backup quarterback Jake Curry was SIU's leading rusher with 22 yards on four carries. Wide receiver Kyle Thomas caught six balls for 77 yards.Â
Defensive back Juice Clarke led Illinois with seven tackles. The Illini had 6.0 tackles for loss, four pass breakups and six quarterback hurries a week after allowing 376 yards at home in a loss to Duke.Â
Illinois coach Bret Bielema was glad to see his squad rebound before Big Ten play.Â
"That's a very good team for the level that they're at. In preparing against Nick (Hill), I thought he was probably one of the better game plan coaches I've ever faced," Bielema said. "The way he does things and works through things was impressive. I was very worried about their quarterback in the run game and what he's been able to do in addition to throwing the ball. I'm excited for those guys going forward, but I really liked the way our team responded."
Te'Nerrean Jackson led SIU with a game-high eight stops on defense. Defensive tackle Lance Bassett and end Ibrahim Sanogo had sacks. Defensive end Jake Parrella broke up a pass.Â
SIU is back on the road next weekend to open Missouri Valley Football Conference play. The Salukis take on Murray State Sept. 26 at 6 p.m. in Murray, Ky.Â
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