SIU senior kicker Austin Johnson had a chance to tie the game – and his career long – with a 51-yard field goal attempt in the final minute at South Dakota on Saturday. A Coyote defender gota hand on it, and the ball fluttered harmlessly to the ground, preserving a 34-31 victory for USD.

South Dakota (5-4, 3-3 Missouri Valley Football Conference) stopped the Salukis’ final drive at the Coyote 34-yard line. SIU (3-6, 2-4) sent out Johnson, who had connected on a 50-yard field goal earlier in the game, to attempt to set up an overtime period. 

Saluki senior quarterback Mark Iannotti threw two touchdown passes and ran for two more scores, but turned the ball over three times, including a fumble that set up the Coyotes’ game-winning drive.

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The starting quarterbacks traded one-yard touchdown runs in the first quarter. Iannotti punched in the game’s first score with 8:47 left in the quarter. South Dakota junior Ryan Saeger responded with 2:10 to go.

Iannotti threw an interception on the first play of his team’s second drive, but the Saluki defense limited the Coyotes to a field goal.

SIU took the lead back on a first-and-goal lob pass from Iannotti to senior wide receiver Israel Lamprakes in the back corner of the end zone.

One play after South Dakota forced the first punt of the game, Saeger found sophomore wide receiver Brandt Van Roekel for an 80-yard touchdown pass. 

South Dakota fumbled SIU’s second punt of the game. The Salukis recovered at the USD 27, and Iannotti finished the drive with his second touchdown run of the game to put SIU back on top 1:13 before halftime.

The Coyotes drove 56 yards on the final possession of the first half before settling for another field goal. SIU took a 21-20 lead into the locker room at halftime.

South Dakota opened the third quarter with a 12-play, 69-yard drive, capped by an 11-yard touchdown catch by junior fullback Drew Potter. 

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SIU took the lead back with a 79-yard touchdown pass from Iannotti to sophomore wide receiver Billy Reed.

Senior defensive lineman Drew Iddings forced Iannotti to fumble with 5:21 left to play. Saeger found sophomore tight end Aaron Ramsey in the end zone for his third touchdown pass of the game.

Saeger finished the game 26 for 39 for 269 yards and three touchdowns. Iannotti completed 19 of 40 attempts for 251 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions.

Reed led all receivers with 142 yards on five catches. Van Roekel paced USD with 80 yards on his lone reception. Coyote freshman running back Michael Fredrick hauled in a game-high seven receptions.

Saluki freshman running back Jonathon Mixon led all rushers with 98 yards on eight carries. Frederick led the Coyotes with 69 yards on 20 rushes.

The Salukis host Illinois State at 2 p.m. Saturday.

Thomas Donley can be reached at [email protected] or at 618-536-3307