Shandel Richardson and Corey Cusick 17.5

The SIUC football team has a history of exciting Homecoming football games against Southwest Missouri State University, including a second-half Saluki comeback in one of the team’s last three meetings.

The SIUC football team mounted a 20-point second-half comeback that led to a 33-30 overtime victory against Southwest Missouri State University to move the Salukis’ record to 4-3 overall and 2-1 in conference play.

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The Salukis fell to a 20-0 deficit in the third quarter, but staged a ferocious comeback and scored 27 unanswered points to take the lead.

After a SMSU score to tie the game at 27-27, the game was forced into overtime, where new Division I-AA rules allow each team to start on its 25-yard line and attempt to score. After each team has one chance to score, the game is over.

The Salukis won the coin toss and chose to play defense first. They held SMSU to a field goal, which pushed SMSU ahead by a score of 30-27.

The Salukis knew they needed a touchdown to win, so after two failed runs that amounted to four yards, they faced third down and six. Saluki quarterback Danny Smith fooled the SMSU defense by calling a quarterback draw and ran for nine yards to the SMSU 12-yard line.

Two plays later, Smith threw a 12-yard reception to Reggie Fowler, who outran the SMSU defense for the game-winning touchdown.

Smith threw for 328 yards on the day, and the Salukis amassed 469 total offensive yards to SMSU’s 318.

SIUC entered the contest with a record of 5-0 and a No. 20 ranking in the Division I-AA polls, but finished the day with a 17-13 loss to Southwest Missouri State University.

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The Salukis opened the game with two impressive drives, but each ended in a mishap. An interception thrown by quarterback Brian Downey at the Bears’ 15-yard line stopped the first drive.

After a Bear field goal, SIUC mounted another drive that began on its own 13-yard line. The Salukis drove to the SMSU 17, but missed the 30-yard field goal attempt.

SMSU opened the scoring in the second half on a Paul Carney 6-yard touchdown run to give the Bears a 10-0 lead.

On the following possession, SIUC drew within three points as Downey connected with Doug Amaya on a 36-yard touchdown. Downey finished the game with 186 yards, completing 17 of 31 passes.

Downey’s efforts surpassed Fred Gibson into third place on SIUC’s all-time career passing yards list.

On the ground, the Salukis were led by sophomore tailback Greg Brown’s 94 yards on 26 carries.

SMSU added another touchdown after a 25-yard Saluki punt yielded excellent field position for the Bears on the SIUC 25-yard line.

The Saluki offense was unable to threaten again until Downey hooked up with LaVance Banks on a 21-yard pass play with 1 minute and 24 seconds remaining. SIUC attempted an on-side kick but failed.

SIUC trailed 31-3 during the third quarter, but the Salukis were determined not to give up before falling short in a 31-25 loss to SMSU.

Reserve quarterback Fred Gibson led the Salukis to 22 unanswered points as he completed 15 of 30 passes for 312 yards and three touchdowns.

SIUC receiver Wesley Yates hauled in seven catches for 199 yards, including an 87-yard touchdown reception. Yates’ performance was the most yards gained by a Saluki in school history.

SIUC outgained SMSU 473-371 in total offense, but it was not enough to overcome the first three quarters.

The loss dropped the Salukis to 1-7, and they finished the season 2-9.