Football Falls to No. 1 Southern Illinois, 42-24

Nov. 21, 2009

By Tyler Koonce
Southeast Missouri State Sports Information

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. - No. 1 Southern Illinois (10-1) used a powerful offense to defeat Southeast Missouri State (2-9) in the 75th meeting between the regional rivals Saturday at Houck Stadium. The Salukis gained 475 total yards, including 294 on the ground, to withstand an upset bid from the Redhawks.

SIU quarterback Paul McIntosh passed for 181 yards and a touchdown and rushed for 101 yards and three additional scores to lead the attack. Deji Karim added 155 rushing yards and two touchdowns for the nation's top Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) team.

Southeast gained 344 total yards on the afternoon, including 189 on the ground. They outscored the Salukis 24-21 in the second half that included seven scores between the squads.

After taking the opening kickoff, SIU drove 63 yards on nine plays in 2:51. McIntosh scored on a 15-yard run up the middle and Kyle Dougherty converted the extra point to give the Salukis an early 7-0 lead.

Karim increased the SIU lead with a 10-yard scoring run with 3:10 remaining in the second quarter. Dougherty's extra point increased the lead to 14-0.

After a three-and-out, the Salukis got the ball back and scored again when McIntosh connected with Bryce Morris on a 10-yard passing play with 42 seconds left in the first half. The drive covered 57 yards over four plays in just one minute and three seconds. Dougherty added the PAT to make the halftime score 21-0.

Southeast got on the board with a 38-yard field goal from Curtis Huge on the first drive of the second half. The Redhawks drove 52 yards on 13 plays in exactly five minutes.

Richard White returned the ensuing kickoff 59 yards to set up the second rushing touchdown of the day by McIntosh. He scrambled in from two yards out with 7:39 left in the third quarter. Dougherty's extra point pushed the lead to 28-3.

On the next drive, the Redhawks got into the end zone when Matt Scheible hit Miles Edwards along the sideline for a 54-yard touchdown pass. For Edwards, it was the 13th receiving score of his career, moving him into a tie with Edward Slaughter (1971-74) for fifth in school history. Huge made the extra point to cut the lead to 28-10.

After the kickoff, Karim took the handoff on the first play and broke free for a 70-yard touchdown run. Dougherty's PAT gave SIU a 35-10 lead.

Edwards caught his second touchdown of the game from five yards out to cap a 10-play, 61-yard drive in 4:21. The scoring catch was the 14th of his career to tie for third in school history with David Gross (1976-79) and David Jackson (1983-86). Huge converted the extra point to make the score 35-17.

Cornerback William Castro intercepted a McIntosh swing pass and returned it 14 yards for a score with 9:22 left in the fourth quarter. Huge made the PAT to cut the lead to 35-24.

McIntosh scored his third rushing touchdown of the afternoon on a quarterback sneak from three yards out with 7:26 left in the game. Dougherty again converted the extra point to push the lead to 42-24.

After a defensive stop, the Salukis were able to run out the clock for their 10th straight victory. The 24 points by Southeast were the most that SIU has allowed to an FCS opponent this season. Only Marshall (FBS) scored more points on their defense with 31 in the season opener on Sept. 5.

Scheible finished 10-for-18 passing for 155 yards and the two touchdowns. Walter Peoples led the receivers with three receptions for 32 yards. Edwards finished with two scoring catches for a total of 59 yards.

Henry Harris rushed for 93 yards on 21 carries. Scheible added 55 rushing yards while Peoples added 33.

Defensively, Joshua Jackson led the team for the second straight week with 10 tackles. Bryan Blanfort contributed nine solo tackles. J.J. Sanchez and Justin Woodlief both notched seven stops. Damian Smith forced a fumble that was recovered by Marvin Anderson.

Joe Allaria led the SIU receivers with a game-high five receptions for 59 yards. Matt Guinn and Morris both caught three passes.

Brandin Jordan registered a game-high 11 tackles, including one sack. Chauncey Mixon notched eight tackles while Marty Rodgers finished with seven. Jason Seaman blocked an early Southeast field goal attempt to turn the momentum in favor of the Salukis.

Saturday marked the final game for 17 Southeast seniors who were honored along with their families and close friends during a pre-game ceremony. Six of those players were members of head coach Tony Samuel's first recruiting class in 2006.

The Redhawks will open the 2010 season on Sept. 2 at Ball State of the Mid-American Conference.