SIU Football hosted the Panthers of the University of Northern Iowa in a highly anticipated homecoming weekend Missouri Valley Football Conference matchup on Saturday, Oct. 25. The Salukis looked to get back in the win column after dropping back-to-back games.

The Salukis received the opening kickoff and began the afternoon contest with possession. After a 31-yard rush from  running back Eddie Robinson, the Salukis converted on third down with a 32-yard rushing touchdown from RB Chandler Chapman, giving SIU an early lead. This marked the seventh time in the last eight games the Salukis have scored on the opening drive.

“We know who we are” Robinson said. “Against anyone in the country, we should be able to come out and score first drive.” 

After an impressive UNI punt that tasked the Salukis with traversing the whole field to score, the SIU offense came close, but settled for a 40-yard field goal, increasing the lead to 10-0. With the first quarter coming to a close, CB Jeremiah McClendon came up with an interception, leaving the Panthers scoreless and the Salukis with the ball. 

When asked about his interception, McClendon attributed a lot of the work to the defensive line and said that “It was great just to see the guys, the d-line go up there and do their job… That helps us on the back end as well,” he said

Once again, DJ Williams and the Saluki offense kept the chains moving and eventually secured their second touchdown of the drive on a 38-yard heave to TE Aidan Quinn. Along with the surging offense, the Salukis put heavy pressure on the Panthers. Sacks from DE Vontrell Chairse and McClendon stopped UNI from gaining any ground. 

With the second quarter coming to a close, Williams launched a pass into the arms of WR Jay Jones, upping the SIU lead to 24 points. Shortly after, the Panthers blocked a punt, putting them in prime position for their first points of the game. After failing to notch a touchdown, UNI shifted its attention to the uprights, nailing a field goal and cementing a score of 24-3 at halftime.

The second half was underway, and the Salukis did not show signs of slowing down. After forcing a quick Panthers three-and-out, WR Tae Marrero took the punt 81 yards downfield for an SIU touchdown. 

To begin the fourth quarter, UNI threatened to score again, with a fresh set of downs within 9 yards of the endzone. However, the dominant Saluki defense had other plans, forcing a turnover on downs that prevented the potential first Panthers touchdown of the afternoon.

Neither offense could push across any points for the majority of the fourth quarter until UNI secured its first touchdown of the game, cutting the large Saluki lead down slightly. 

The final minutes of the game were counting down, and UNI notched its second blocked punt of the day. Shortly after the block, the Panthers found themselves in the end zone once more, making the score 31-17. 

While the fourth quarter was all Panthers, the early lead that the Salukis established was enough to comfortably hold on to as they coasted to a 31-17 victory in Saluki Stadium. 

“When we go play solid football, take care of the ball, play complementary football, and our guys just get to go play, we have a really good team.” Coach Nick Hill said.

With this victory, SIU is 2-2 in MVFC games and 5-3 overall. Northern Iowa falls to 0-4 in conference play and 2-6 overall. The Salukis hit the road to face off against Murray State on Saturday, Nov. 1, looking to develop a win streak.

Sports reporter Noah Petschke can be reached at npetschke@dailyegyptian.com.

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