Dan Clark Offensive Line | Southern Illinois University Athletics Website
Dan Clark Offensive Line | Southern Illinois University Athletics Website
MOSCOW, Idaho — Before a packed house and a nationally televised audience on ESPN2, Idaho rallied to beat Southern Illinois in overtime, 20-17, on a 29-yard field goal by Ricardo Chavez.
The Salukis (8-5) had a chance to win it on the final play of regulation, but Jake Baumgarte missed a 41-yard field goal attempt when Idaho's Xe'ree Alexander slipped through the line of scrimmage to tip a kick that landed just short of the uprights.
Southern never trailed in the game until the final play of overtime and led by as many as 10 points. There were key third-quarter momentum swings that went against the Salukis, including a fumble by Justin Strong at the Idaho 21 and an 86-yard punt return for a touchdown by Idaho's Jermaine Jackson.
The Vandals (9-3) tied the game, 17-17, with 4:17 remaining in the fourth quarter on a one-yard touchdown run by Anthony Woods. It was the first touchdown Southern's defense gave up in three games and wasn't surrendered without resistance.
Idaho needed to run seven plays inside Southern's five-yard line on the scoring drive, including five plays from the one. The crucial moment came on fourth-and-goal at the one when SIU appeared to get a stop on a pass deflection by Mark Davis in the end zone. However, he was flagged for pass interference, giving Idaho a new set of downs.
With the score tied at 17-17, SIU quarterback Nic Baker did what he has done throughout his record-setting career — give Southern a chance to win.
The senior engineered a 51-yard drive that consumed all but one second of time in regulation. Twice, he scrambled away from pressure to convert third-down passes and keep the drive moving.
With under a minute left and the ball resting at the Idaho 33, Baker completed a third-and-five throw for eight yards to D'Ante' Cox. Two running plays later, Southern ran down the clock to one second and brought Baumgarte in for the potential game-winner. He had already connected from 36 yards earlier but this time his kick was tipped at the line of scrimmage.
Baker completed 20-of-34 passes for 198 yards and eluded heavy pressure throughout the game to make plays for Southern's offense. The final throw of his career was intercepted in overtime, ending SIU's only drive of OT.
Ro Elliott scored both of SIU's touchdowns on runs of 38 and one yard.
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