After Indiana State (INS) shrunk their deficit down to three with help from two turnovers, the Salukis needed to regrab the momentum with a score of their own. The Dawgs were on the verge of doing so, even picking up a fourth down conversion to the INS 40 until the ball popped out and was recovered by the Sycamores.
“We can’t turn the ball over on our first three drives of the second half,” head coach Nick Hill said.
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The Salukis, coming off their bye week, traveled to Terre Haute for a faceoff with the Indiana State Sycamores and lost their fifth game in a row with a final score of 20-17.
SIU got the ball first and a sack had them go three-and-out. On the Sycamores first possession, they made their way into Saluki territory, led by their ground game, which would go on to pile up 219 yards on the day. On first down from the SIU 25, SIU defensive tackle Devin Love got to Indiana State quarterback Elijah Owens and forced a fumble. Linebacker Ben Bogle fell on the loose ball to bring the Dawgs offense back on the field.
The Salukis couldn’t take advantage of the turnover and punted the ball back to the Sycamores.
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INS picked up a first down on the following drive, but would end the drive with a punt.
On a third down from the SIU 38, Jake Curry connected with Nah’shawn Hezekiah for a pick-up of 27. The Salukis wouldn’t move the ball any further and punted.
After moving the chains once, a chop block penalty put the Sycamores 15 yards behind the sticks and led to a punt.
After an uneventful first quarter, the Salukis put together a methodical, 14 play, 70-yard drive capped off by Michael Lindauer finding a wide open Keontez Lewis in the end zone for the first score of the game. The touchdown marked the first of Lindauer’s six-year, recently resumed collegiate career.
The Saluki defense kept the positive momentum and forced another quick punt by INS.
Under two minutes before halftime, SIU worked a fast, no-huddle, offense. Curry completed all four of his pass attempts for 56 yards before getting into the end zone with his legs.
The Sycamores looked to get something on the board before the break, but Bogle earned his second takeaway of the game when he picked off Owens and set up a drive that ended with a Paul Geelen field goal.
The SIU defense continued to make life hard for the Sycamore offense after the break, only allowing them to reach the Indiana State 44 yard line before forcing a punt.
Starting from the shadow of their own goal line, SIU picked up a first down before Curry threw a pick six directly to an Indiana State linebacker, getting the Sycamores on the board.
Lindauer entered the game for Curry once again and picked up 52 yards all the way to the Sycamores 2 yard line on a QB keeper, but the ball was punched out at the end of the run and picked up by Indiana State.
Starting from their own 2, INS would put together their best drive to that point of the afternoon. The Sycamores ran 17 plays, picked up 53 yards on the ground, and finished the drive with a two yard touchdown pass to make it a three point game.
“Credit to them, but we gotta find a way to get off the field,” said Nick Hill.
Needing to regain momentum, the Salukis got around midfield before facing a fourth and short. The Dawgs elected to go for it and picked it up, but fumbled the ball on the play, marking their third drive in a row ended with a turnover.
INS picked up some short yardage before their quarterback, Elijah Owens, broke off a 28-yard touchdown run to give Indiana State their first lead of the afternoon.
SIU was able to respond by getting into Sycamore territory on three plays before the Indiana State defense got a big sack. A miscue on the punt resulted in a turnover on downs, giving INS good starting field position.
The Saluki defense forced a three-and-out, and gave the offense one last chance, but the SIU offense came up empty and turned the ball over on downs. The Sycamores ran out the remaining time and sealed the 20-17 victory.
The Salukis (2-6, 0-4 Missouri Valley Football Conference) will be back on the road next Saturday to take on the Missouri State Bears in Springfield, MO.
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