Oct. 6, 2007

Football: Late Score Lifts Southern Illinois Past Penguins, 24-17

    Carbondale, Ill. -- In a battle of top 10 teams, No. 6 Southern Illinois scored the game-winning touchdown with just under two minutes remaining to defeat the 10th-ranked Youngstown State football team 24-17 on a sun drenched afternoon at McAndrew Stadium.

    Youngstown State (4-2 overall and 1-1 in the Gateway) scored the first 10 points of the afternoon and tied the game at 17 in the fourth quarter.

    However, SIU's Deji Karim scored on a 15-yard touchdown run with 1:50 for the game-winning score. The Salukis stayed unbeaten with the win improving to 6-0 and 2-0 in the Gateway.

    The Penguins did not go down without a fight. Following Karim's score, YSU moved to the SIU 35-yard line and on the final play of the game, Tom Zetts' desparation pass fell incomplete in the end zone.

    In a back-and-forth battle, each play proved to be critical.

    For the Penguins, wide receiver Ferlando Williams had two rushing touchdowns during the contest scoring on runs of 12 and three yards. Williams had 15 rushes for 87 yards while catching seven passes for 43 yards.

    Zetts completed 19-of-32 passes for 164 yards and one interception.

    Southern Illinois picked up the lone points of the third quarter to go in front 17-10.

    YSU took its initial possession of the half into the SIU red zone but came away empty when Brian Palmer's field-goal try was wide.

    Southern Illinois answered with an impressive eight-play 76-yard drive to take its first lead of the afternoon. Nick Hill threw a 14-yard pass to Justin Allen with 6:00 remaining in the period to give SIU a touchdown advantage.

    The Penguins' defense came up with a huge turnover when Lenny Wicks intercepted a Hill pass and returned it to the SIU 45-yard line.

    On third-and-17, Zetts hit Rory Berry for a 31-yard gain to keep the drive alive.

    Williams' second touchdown of the game from three yards out with 11:32 remaining tied the score.

    Southern Illinois was able to come up with an interception of its own to regain the momentum. Zetts was intercepted by Brandin Jordan one play following a questionable intentional grounding penalty. Jordan returned the ball to the YSU 26-yard line.

    YSU defense held and Dougherty's 39-yard field goal attempt with 6:57 was wide left.

    The Penguins scored 10 first-quarter points while the Salukis scored 10 second-quarter points for a tie ballgame at halftime.

    YSU got the first break of the game when the Salukis fumbled the opening kickoff and YSU took over at the SIU 34.

    After coming up a yard shy on a third-and-eight play, YSU had to settle for a field goal as Palmer converted from 42 yards out just over a minute into the game.

    Later in the period, Ferlando Williams scored on a nifty 12-yard run allowing the Penguins to pull ahead with 5:40 left in the opening stanza. Williams 12-yard score capped a nine-play 60-yard drive.

    In the second quarter, Southern Illinois used an impressive nine-play, 97-yard drive to get on the scoreboard. John Randle capped the drive with a five-yard scoot around the right side just 50 seconds into the second quarter.

    SIU eventually drew even on the final play of the when freshman Kyle Dougherty converted a 32-yard field goal as time expired.

    The Penguins return home next Saturday to play a non-conference game against Southern Utah. YSU’s first-ever contest against the Thunderbirds is set to kickoff at 4 p.m. at Stambaugh Stadium.