The SIU football team cut Indiana State’s lead to three with 1:28 left, but could not stop its road losing streak in a 39-36 loss Saturday.

The Salukis (2-4, 1-2 Missouri Valley Football Conference) fell to 0-4 in road games on the season, while the No. 21 Sycamores (4-2, 2-1 MVFC) improved their home record to 3-0.

Both teams scored on their first possessions of the game. SIU senior wide receiver Israel Lamprakes capped a 77-yard opening drive with a four-yard touchdown on a shovel pass from senior quarterback Mark Iannotti.

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A 30-yard touchdown pass from sophomore quarterback Matt Adam to senior wide receiver Gary Owens tied the game on the next drive.

The score remained tied for the remainder of the first quarter, partially because of a goal line stand by the Saluki defense as the period expired, stopping the Sycamores inside the one-yard line on fourth-and-goal.

The Sycamores took the lead on a 43-yard rush by Adam with 9:23 left in the second quarter. SIU answered with a five-yard touchdown run by freshman running back Daquan Isom, tying the game at 14.

Junior kicker Eric Heidorn’s 27-yard field goal sailed through the uprights as the final horn of the second half sounded to give the Sycamores a 17-14 halftime lead.

The Sycamore offense took advantage of a missed 38-yard field goal by Saluki junior kicker Austin Johnson. Indiana State drove 79 yards in one minute and seven seconds to extend the lead to 24-14 on a 17-yard touchdown pass from Adam to Owens.

Iannotti found sophomore wide receiver Jimmy Jones for a 16-yard touchdown pass on the next possession, cutting the lead to 24-21.

Indiana State led 27-21 and had third-and-goal at the one to start the fourth quarter. Adam fumbled out of the end zone on a keeper for a touchback on the first play of the half.

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SIU went three and out on its next possession. Sycamore junior running back Roland Genesy ran 54 yards for a touchdown on the third play of the next drive. 

The Salukis forced a punt with less than seven minutes left to play and took over at their own 20-yard line, trailing 33-21.

Iannotti’s 56-yard touchdown strike to freshman wide receiver Darrell James cut the lead to 33-28.

Owens’ third touchdown of the game extended the lead to 39-28 on the following possession.

Iannotti engineered a 75-yard drive, which he capped with a one-yard touchdown run. Freshman wide receiver Matt DeSomer’s run was good on the two-point conversion, bringing SIU to within 39-36.

The Sycamores recovered the Saluki squib kick and kneeled out the clock.

Iannotti completed 38 of 54 passes for 427 yards with three touchdowns and an interception. Adam completed 14 of 29 throws for 190 yards and three scores.

Adam led all rushers with 123 yards and a touchdown on nine carries. Isom’s 45 yards on 12 carries paced the Salukis.

Owens led all receivers with 128 yards on five receptions. James’ 119 yards on six catches led SIU. Isom caught a game-high seven passes for 32 yards.

Thomas Donley can be reached at [email protected] or at 536-3311