In a much anticipated Preseason Top 15 match-up. The Salukis can’t weather the storm of lightning-charged Cardinals. The #9 Southern Illinois (SIU) Salukis fall in disappointing fashion to the #14 University of the Incarnate Word (UIW) Cardinals.
Game Delayed
Lightening in the area of San Antonio and Gayle and Tom Benson Stadium. A scheduled 6 pm start time was delayed until nearly 7:45 pm.
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Finally on the field
Once the lightning cleared and fans were back in the stands. The Week One Game was ready for kick-off. The Salukis won the opening toss and deferred to the second half. This would be for the most part the last good thing for the Salukis in the first quarter.
First Quarter: When it’s bad it’s really bad
After a touchback to begin the game. The UIW Cardinals started on their own 25-yard line. This would be for the most part the last good thing for the Salukis in the first quarter. The Cardinals advanced for their first, first-down of the game with a couple of short pass plays. Then the first big play of the night. A 66-yard touchdown strike from Grad transfer QB Lindsey Scott Jr. to WR Taylor Grimes. (UIW 7 – SIU 0)
The first sign of bad things to come:
On the first Salukis possession of the game, starting on their 25 yard-line they were held to a three and out. Held to only advancing to the 29 yard-line. The Cardinals forced the Salukis’ first punt. This was where a disastrous first quarter went array. On an errant snap from the Long Snapper, that went past the Dan Orlovsky line of the end zone for a safety. (UIW 9 – SIU 0)
Equally important was the defense of the Salukis’ seeming as they were up to the task, of holding the Cardinals to a four and out. After a punt, the Salukis took over on their 27 yard-line. The drive stalled and again the Salukis were forced to punt.
After a short punt, the Cardinals returned their offense onto the field. Taking over in plus territory at the SIU 45 yard-line. That’s when lightning struck for the second time in the opening quarter. QB Lindsey Scott Jr. completed another long touchdown strike to WR Taylor Grimes of 55 yards, on the first snap. (UIW 16 – SIU 0)
Another example of the bad:
On the Salukis’ third time possessing the ball in the first quarter. It seemed that the Salukis would take one step forward and three backward. They could only put together 14 yards on eight plays. Miscues and flags stalled the drive causing another Salukis punt. Once again an arrant snap to Nathan Torney sailed overhead. The punt team recovered the ball on their own 20-yard- line.
Once again the Cardinals had the ball at a great spot. Their offense came in and began at the SIU 20. After three plays, and a penalty. QB Lindsey Scott Jr. came to the line with 43 seconds left in the first quarter and the ball on the six. That’s when Scott Jr. headed off to the right side and decided to take a leap of faith into the endzone. (UIW 22 – SIU 6)
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Within seconds of the touchdown. Coaches, players, and fans were reminded that they are not in charge of everything that happens during a game. The lights in the stadium went dark. Causing yet another delay and we haven’t even ended the first quarter yet. The delay lasted approximately 20 minutes.
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The Cardinals still had to attempt the PAT, from the score that occurred before the lighting delay. The two-point conversion failed. (UIW – 22 – SIU – 0)
Second Quarter: Maybe there is life
To end the final 43 seconds of the first and begin the second quarter SIU took the ball. This drive stalled once again causing the dreaded punting situation. The snap was good and Nathan Torney booted a nice 60-yard kick. After the two bad snaps in the first. The coaches and fans could open their eyes and quit holding their breath. It was so good that it went out of bounds and forced the Cardinals to take over on their own four. Although it may not seem like much, at the time it was huge.
After seven plays UIW was forced to punt. The coaching staff was so excited to get the stop. They elected to let UIW punt twice after a penalty on the first attempt. Once just to make sure they remembered how. Also possibly maybe even get a break too.
A sign of what can happen when good things come:
As the change of possession had taken place after the punt. The ball at their 23-yard marker. Junior running back Ro Elliott wanted to make his presence known, Elliot received a hand-off from QB Nic Baker. Running for 13-yards and an SIU first down. After a couple of plays, Elliot’s number(4) was called again. Just a measly four yards on the attempt. Well, they lined up once more and Ro Elliott was the man again. Blocks were made and Ro slashed twice and had some lightning of his own. With quick acceleration, it was off to the end zone. Now after that start everyone was hoping that the rust had been shaken off. Hoping for a swing in momentum. Which was so desperately needed up to this point. The Salukis of Southern Illinois was now in the books with a score. (UIW – 22 – SIU – 7)
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With the ensuing kickoff and some life showing from Saluki players on the sideline. UWI took over at their own 19. A penalty to start and two short runs. The dreaded big, really BIG play happened again. With it being WR Darion Chafin on the receiving end of a Scott Jr. pass. In a flash and 79 yards behind him, Chafin found himself in the end-zone for a score of his own. (UIW – 29 – SIU – 7)
As had become a recurring theme for UIW they kicked off again to SIU. Taking over at the UIW 27. Nine plays later they found the endzone, Two point try failed. (UIW – 29 – SIU – 13)
Returning the kick-off to the 25. The UIW offense sputtered and SIU’s defense stood its ground. Causing a put after just three plays.
After running 11 plays and after gaining 41 yards. SIU called red-shirt freshman kicker Jake Baumgarte to attempt a 47 yard field goal. With just three (yes three) seconds until half. Baumgarte was on the money and the field goal was good. (UIW – 29 – SIU – 16) at Halftime
The third quarter: Begins with hope
The Salukis came out in the second half with a look of determination on their faces. Since they deferred to receiving the kickoff at the start. The Cardinals kicked off to open the half.
Only returning the ball to their 16, they took over looking to put the bad behind and play their game. Beginning with this possession. While running 19 plays for nearly 70 yards. Unfortunately, the offense had to settle for another field goal, of 32 yards by the young kicker. Placing the Salukis to just a 10-point deficit with a lot of time left. (UIW – 29 – SIU -19)
The third quarter begins to go bad:
Looking to bring a stronger defensive presence in the second half. The SIU defensive unit allowed UIW to put together a 9-play 75-yard drive of their own. Capping it off with yet another lengthy trip to find the endzone. Play number nine of this drive, a 36-yard touchdown strike from Scott Jr. to Red-Shirt Junior WR Marquez Perez. Allowing the potent Cardinal offense to increase their lead back to a more comfortable 15 points. (UIW – 36 – SIU – 19)
The next Saluki possession didn’t go well at all. QB Nic Baker served up an interception on the third play of the drive. 38-yard pick-six interception by Tiji Paul.
Fourth quarter: sub in players for film and live game experience
Once the end was nearing, other players filtered in to replace the starting groups. But the scoring was not over. Also, incoming subs played well..
UIW scored three more touchdowns in the fourth quarter.
Grad WR Jaelin Campbell 39-yard pass from Lindsey Scott Jr.
Grad WR Brandon Porter 38-yard pass from Lindsey Scott Jr.
Sophomore RB Caleb Berry 3-yard touchdown for the last score of the contest.
SIU scored on a field goal and one additional touchdown in the fourth quarter.
Jake Baumgarte 26 yard field goal. Giving him a three field goal night and no misses.
Red-Shirt Freshman WR Dayton Mitchell caught a six-yard touchdown pass from Sophomore QB Zach Zebrowski
PLAYERS OF THE GAME:
- SIU – OFFENSE = JR. RUNNING BACK – Ro Elliott – 15 carries for 105 yrds. and 1 td.
- SIU – DEFENSE = JR. – SAFETY – Bush Clayton – 4 total tkls – 1 tfl – 1 sack
- UIW- OFFENSE = GRAD – QUARTERBACK – Lindsey Scott Jr. – 17 of 25 passing, 391 yrds., and 6 tds.
- UIW – DEFENSE = GRAD – LINEBACKER – Kelechi Anyalebechi – 13 total tkls – 3 tfls
Final Thoughts:
The defense has to l get into a better position. The secondary is going to need to limit the big pas play
Sr. WR D’Ante’ Cox played. Even though he was believed to not be cleared for last night’s game. D’Ante’ led SIU receivers with 6 catches and 57 yds. and a long of 15 yrds.
The Salukis are going to have to put this loss behind them and learn from their mistakes.
I feel that Coach Hill will have the Salukis prepared for next week.
#9 Southern Illinois (SIU) Salukis fall in disappointing fashion to the #14 University of the Incarnate Word (UIW) Cardinals.
Up next: Rivalry Game “War for the Wheel game”
The Rivalry
On Aug. 27, 2018, the football rivalry between Southeast Missouri and Southern Illinois was officially deemed, “War for the Wheel.” Each year, the winner of the game will take home an authentic ship’s wheel to its side of the Mississippi River and proudly display it until the next scheduled matchup. The wheel currently resides in Carbondale since SIU won last year’s meeting between the teams. When the series first began, SEMO and SIU used to cross the Mississippi River by boat. One year, SIU’s boat sunk and players had to swim to shore. The SEMO and SIU rivalry is the oldest in each school’s history.
Southeast Missouri State Redhawks (0 – 1) Wk lost to FBS Iowa St. Cyclones by a final of 42 – 10
