The Salukis beat the Indiana State Sycamores 23-14, placing SIU in an all time 28-28 in the series against Indiana State.

It was the first meaningful November game the Salukis have played since 2014. 

On the first play of scrimmage for the Salukis, senior running back D.J. Davis got blasted for a loss of four yards and the Salukis started off with a three and out.

On the Sycamores’ next drive, they were held to a three and out thanks to a holding penalty that made them go back six yards and made it first down and 16.

On the next Southern drive they started off with a 16 yard run by Davis and then the very next play of the game freshman running back Javon Williams scored a touchdown on a 54 yard run to take an early 7-0 lead with 10:41 left in the first quarter.

The Sycamores were unable to score in the first quarter and the Salukis held onto their 7-0 lead, but the Sycamores were driving the ball in Saluki territory at the 18 yard line. 

The Sycamores ran in for a touchdown to make it 7-7 with just over 14 minutes left in the second quarter.

Williams scored the Salukis’ next touchdown, giving them a 14-7 lead with 3:37 left until halftime. 

Junior kicker Nico Gauldoni made a field goal, taking the Salukis to a 17-7 lead going into halftime.

In the third quarter, Gualdoni drilled a 36-yard field goal to give the Salukis a 20-7 lead with 8:43 left in the third quarter.

On the Sycamores’ next drive, they managed to crawl their way back into the game as they made it a six point Southern Illinois lead. The quarter ended 20-14.

Lyles was sacked by junior defensive end Isaac Fotu but on the very next play the Salukis got a key first down on a throw from Lyles to junior wide receiver Sam Bonasinga. Davis also got a key 22 yard run all the way to the six yard line. Gualdoni made a 28-yard field goal later in the drive as the Salukis took a 23-14 lead with 12:54 left in the fourth. 

Heupert had an excellent run taking it to the Salukis 39 yard line on a 19 yard run. The Salukis got a key interception by junior safety Qua Brown in the end zone as the Sycamores were trying to crawl their way back in the game with 7:51 left in the game. 

On the next drive Indiana State tried going for it on fourth and four but the Salukis were able to stop them and the Salukis got the ball back with just over five minutes left. 

The Sycamores got the ball back but turned it over on downs on a fourth down and three. 

The Salukis beat the Indiana State Sycamores 23-14.

The Salukis will face off at home against the Missouri State Bears on Nov. 9. Kickoff is set for 2 p.m.

Sports reporter Zach Kramer can be reached at [email protected].

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