Late in the first quarter, looking for a stop on defense to get in rhythm, the Saluki defense rushed four. As Brigham Young University (BYU) quarterback, Jake Retzlaff, reached back, it was clear he was going for it all. With Cougars wide receiver, Jojo Phillips, beating his man, the ball fell safely into his hands for a 57-yard touchdown pass.
The BYU offense was deadly in their meeting with the Salukis, with Retzlaff finishing the game with 348 yards through the air and three touchdown passes.
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“[Retzlaff] played well, he threw the deep ball really well,” Saluki head coach Nick Hill said. “They hit us on some deep throws to break the game open.”
On their first possession of the season, the Salukis would go three-and-out, punting the ball away.
The Cougars would cap off the 13 play, 7-plus minute drive with a touchdown run.
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On their next possession, SIU quarterback, DJ Williams, would show off his running ability, picking up 25 yards on the ground on two rushes. The drive would ultimately end with another punt.
Williams’ running ability was a huge strength to the Saluki offense, as Williams rushed for 121 yards and scored SIU’s only two touchdowns on the ground.
“I’m good at running the ball, I’m good at using my legs,” Williams said. “Whatever the team needs me to do to come out with a victory, I’m gonna do that.”
The two teams would trade some scoreless possessions before SIU was able to put together a solid drive.
Williams was able to pass for 47 yards and rush for 13, including a four yard touchdown run to get the Dawgs on the board with only 46 seconds left in the half.
The Cougars squeaked out a score with a quick scoring strike, booting a 50-yard field as time expired.
Out of the break, BYU’s offense reawakened, going on a seven play drive highlighted by a 52-yard completion to Keelan Marion. SIU tried to muster a redzone stop, but to no avail and the Cougars extended their lead to 18.
Desperate to get back into the game, a stalled drive made the Salukis attempt a failed fake punt on 4th-and-11 from their own 36. SIU picked up only two of the 11 yards they needed.
BYU took advantage of the short field and was able to trek the 38 yards they needed for another touchdown.
The Salukis responded with a touchdown drive of their own via a 38-yard scramble by Williams.
Another BYU touchdown early in the 4th quarter pushed the lead to 25, and a Cougar interception sealed the game. Both teams put in backups and played until there was no time remaining, the final score being BYU 41, SIU 13.
The Salukis will be on the road again next weekend, when they will take on the Governors of Austin Peay State University.
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