Carbondale Reporter

The Southern Illinois University football team secured a 37-10 win against UT Martin on Saturday, improving its season record to 2-1. The Salukis, ranked No. 14/17, delivered a strong performance with 490 total yards of offense while limiting UT Martin to 290 yards.

Southern Illinois recorded a season-high 273 rushing yards, the most in a game since November 2021. Senior quarterback DJ Williams contributed significantly, completing 13 of 18 passes for 217 yards and one touchdown. Williams also rushed for a career-best 128 yards and three touchdowns.

Running back Chandler Chapman set new personal records with 13 carries for 78 yards and scored his first career touchdown as a Saluki.

The defense made an early impact by forcing a three-and-out on the opening drive. On offense, Williams connected with Jay Jones for a 47-yard pass on the first play, followed by a four-yard rushing touchdown two plays later.

After both teams exchanged turnovers, the Saluki defense stopped UT Martin on fourth down at Southern's own 30-yard line. Early in the second quarter, Williams threw a 56-yard touchdown pass to Fabian McCray, who has now scored in two of his first three games at Southern Illinois.

Safety Vinny Pierre Jr. intercepted the Skyhawks' quarterback during the next possession, marking his second interception in as many weeks and third overall at Southern Illinois.

UT Martin responded with an 11-play drive resulting in their only touchdown of the first half. Before halftime, Williams ran for 32 yards to set up Paul Geelen's successful field goal attempt from 28 yards out.

In the third quarter, Williams added another rushing touchdown after leading a seven-play drive. Although UT Martin narrowed the score with a field goal, Southern Illinois quickly answered with another Williams rushing touchdown.

Late in the fourth quarter, Geelen executed a fake punt for a gain of 29 yards before Chapman ran for his first career touchdown on a 44-yard rush.

Jay Jones led all receivers with four catches for 65 yards. Defensively, captain Colin Bohanek recorded twelve tackles while Andrew Behm forced a fumble recovered by Caden Reeves.

The victory marked Southern Illinois’ largest margin-of-victory in an away game since October last year when they defeated Western Illinois by sixty-three points.

Southern Illinois will conclude its three-game road trip next Saturday against Southeast Missouri State (SEMO) at 6 p.m.