University of Northern Iowa
2-2 , 1-1
Southern Illinois
2-1 , 1-0
SIU's Late Kick Edges UNI, 27-24
9/27/2008 8:00:00 AM | Football
CARBONDALE, Ill. - Southern Illinois University placekicker Kyle Dougherty booted a 40-yard field goal on the final play of the game to give the No. 13-ranked Salukis a 27-24 victory over the No. 5-ranked University of Northern Iowa football team.
The Salukis' (2-1 overall, 1-0 MVFC) final possession of the game came as the result of a sack and a fumble recovery inside the Panthers' 30-yard line with 54 seconds left in the game. The Salukis ran two plays and called a timeout with one second remaining to set up the kick by Dougherty.
The Panthers (2-2 overall, 1-1 MVFC), who came into the game with a +5 turnover margin, turned the ball over five times while only forcing one Saluki turnover. UNI lost four fumbles and threw one interception.
The Salukis landed a punch right to the Panthers' gullet on the opening kickoff when SIU's Larry Warner returned it 97 yards for a touchdown at the 14:46 mark. However, once the Panther defense was able to get its starting unit on the field the Saluki offense was stymied. SIU ran 10 offensive plays in the first quarter for only 35 total yards and one first down.
UNI was able to knot the game at 7-7 on a five-yard touchdown run from junior quarterback Pat Grace (Sioux City, Iowa) at the 14:05 mark of the second quarter. The Panthers gained possession of the ball at the 8-yard line after a blocked punt by redshirt freshman Jordan Smith (Humboldt, Iowa).
Southern Illinois took the lead back at 11:33 of the second quarter on a two-yard run by Warner, which made it 14-7. The key play on the drive was a 45-yard pass reception by SIU's Damian Sherman.
UNI was able to dodge another Saluki-scoring opportunity later in the second quarter following a 47-yard punt return from Warner. The Panther defense stiffened and junior defensive end James Ruffin (Burnsville, Minn.) blocked a 40-yard field goal attempt by Kyle Daugherty.
However, the Panthers' Grace was sacked on the ensuing possession and fumbled giving the Salukis the ball on the UNI 18-yard line. SIU was able to turn the UNI miscue into points as Dougherty knocked in a 28-yard field goal at the 6:26 mark of the second quarter.
The Salukis upped the lead to 24-7 at the 1:30 mark of the second quarter on a 20-yard touchdown pass from Chris Dieker to Bryce Morris.
UNI appeared to gain some momentum back on the ensuing kickoff, however an illegal block by Panther senior Nick Nelson (Cedar Falls, Iowa) wiped out a 98-yard touchdown return by freshman Jarred Herring (Burlington, Iowa).
The Panthers marched the length of the field on their first possession of the third quarter and scored on a one-yard plunge by senior running back Corey Lewis. Lewis' score, the 30th rushing touchdown of his career, brought the Panthers to within 24-14 with 10:36 left in the third.
After a failed fake punt attempt by the Salukis, UNI gained possession just outside the SIU 32-yard line. The Panthers were unable to move the ball and had to attempt a 48-yard field goal by sophomore Billy Hallgren (Coal Valley, Ill.). However on the attempt, Hallgren was roughed by the Salukis' Brandon Williams and it gave the Panthers a first-and-10 on the SIU 15-yard line. The Panthers' drive stalled inside the five-yard line, where Hallgren then knocked in a 21-yard field goal to pull the Panthers to within one score at 24-17 at the 5:32 mark of the third quarter.
Senior cornerback Terrell McMoore (Minneapolis, Minn.) intercepted a Saluki aerial to give the ball back to the Panthers and set up a tying touchdown drive. The Panthers cashed in the intercept with a one-yard touchdown pass from Grace to senior wideout Victor Williams (Clewiston, Fla.) with 37 seconds left in the third quarter.
UNI appeared poised to take the lead after a 41-yard run by Lewis gave the Panthers a first-and-goal at the seven-yard line. UNI was able to get closer to the end zone following a horse-collar tackle on Grace that made it first-and-goal from the three. Lewis carried again to the one-yard line, but on the next play he fumbled as he stretched the run to the right and the Salukis recovered at the two-yard line with 12 minutes left in the contest.
At the 9:27 mark of the third quarter, Grace was intercepted by Brandin Jordan as the Panthers attempted to again take the lead. Jordin returned the ball to the UNI 48-yard line but was penalized 15 yards for unsportsmanlike conduct after he flipped the ball up in the air after being tackled. But the Panther defense strengthened again and forced a three-and-out for the Salukis.
Lewis rushed for a game-high 190 yards on 35 carries and a touchdown. Grace also carried 14 times for 45 yards and a score. Grace passed for 123 yards on 12-of-22 passing with an interception. Williams led the Panther receivers with six catches for 44 yards and a touchdown. James Ruffin tallied six tackles, two tackles-for-loss and a sack in leading the defensive effort.
After allowing 182 yards in the first half, the Panther defense allowed only 49 total yards for the Salukis in the second half and only three first downs.
UNI will have a short week as the Panthers will take on Nicholls State on Thursday at 6:35 p.m. The game will be broadcast live on ESPNU.
Team Stats
UNI 0, SIU 7
SIU - Warner, Larry 97 yd kickoff return (Dougherty, Kyle kick)
UNI 7, SIU 7
UNI - Grace, Pat 5 yd run (Hallgren, Billy kick), 2 plays, 8 yards, TOP 0:42
UNI 7, SIU 14
SIU - Warner, Larry 2 yd run (Dougherty, Kyle kick), 7 plays, 68 yards, TOP 2:32
UNI 7, SIU 17
SIU - Dougherty, Kyle 28 yd field goal 4 plays, 7 yards, TOP 0:57
UNI 7, SIU 24
SIU - Morris, Bryce 20 yd pass from Dieker, Chris (Dougherty, Kyle kick) 9 plays, 74 yards, TOP 2:48
UNI 14, SIU 24
UNI - Lewis, Corey 1 yd run (Hallgren, Billy kick), 8 plays, 60 yards, TOP 4:21
UNI 17, SIU 24
UNI - Hallgren, Billy 21 yd field goal 8 plays, 28 yards, TOP 3:08
UNI 24, SIU 24
UNI - Williams,Victor 1 yd pass from Grace, Pat (Hallgren, Billy kick) 6 plays, 56 yards, TOP 2:24
UNI 24, SIU 27
SIU - Dougherty, Kyle 40 yd field goal 3 plays, 6 yards, TOP 0:54