Sept 8, 2001

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. (AP) - Jeromy McDowell threw for three touchdowns and a school-record 391 yards - all but 74 coming in the second half - as Southeast Missouri State downed Southern Illinois 24-5 on Saturday.

After both teams struggled to a 3-3 halftime score, McDowell - a redshirt freshman - struck swiftly, connecting with Tarik Simpson on a 67-yard TD pass with just 1:01 gone in the third quarter. McDowell hit Simpson again seven minutes later from 15 yards out, pushing the Indians' lead to 17-3.

McDowell threw 47 yards to Willie Ponder for Southeast Missouri's final score, with 9:33 left.

McDowell finished 19-of-42 before being replaced by Bobby Brune, who threw for an additional 27 yards for a team that finished with a school-record 418 passing yards.

Adrian Sanders had 190 yards on six catches, while Ponder and Simpson had 121 and 104, respectively.

The Salukis (0-1) opened scoring with Scott Everhart's 37-yard field goal early in the second quarter but squandered four other first-half drives that crossed the Indians' 30-yard line.

Tom Koutsos led Southern Illinois with 114 yards on 23 carries. Madei Williams ran 21 times for 100 yards.

A Southern Illinois safety with 6:35 left accounted for the final margin.