Southeast bows to SIU in first football game at Busch Stadium

ST. LOUIS -- The Southeast Missouri State football team was positioned exactly where it wanted to be Saturday afternoon, having a chance to upset longtime rival SIU in the College Classic.

Southeast and SIU were tied 19-19 midway through the third quarter during the first football game at the eight-year-old Busch Stadium III in St. Louis.

The Redhawks even had a chance to take the lead following a 75-yard touchdown pass from junior quarterback Kyle Snyder to sophomore wide receiver Paul McRoberts -- tied for the sixth-longest pass play in school history -- but a PAT was wide, their second botched extra point of the day, the other a blocked kick.

"It was a great game. We were there," Southeast coach Tony Samuel said. "I thought we gave a great effort and had our chances."

But the Salukis didn't give Southeast any more chances as they dominated the rest of the way.

Southern Illinois running back Malcolm Agnew kicks up turf on Southeast Missouri State defender Austin Black during the fourth quarter.

SIU scored the game's final 17 points to pull away for a 36-19 victory in front of an announced crowd of 14,618.

Southeast fell to 0-3, while SIU improved to 2-2 after the Salukis' seventh win over the Redhawks in the past eight meetings.

But this one was much different than those other seven blowouts, all by at least 21 points and all pretty much over by halftime.

"That's a good team we just faced," said SIU senior linebacker Bryan Presume, who led the Salukis' defense with nine tackles, an interception and a forced fumble.

Southeast, which never led, stunned SIU with the long pass play that tied the contest.

Southeast Missouri State wide receiver Paul McRoberts scores a touchdown against Southern Illinois to tie the score 19-19 as teammate Spencer Davis jumps in jubilation during the third quarter Saturday at Busch Stadium in St. Louis. (Fred Lynch)

Snyder hit McRoberts in stride over the middle on third-and-9. McRoberts outraced the SIU secondary for the score with 7 minutes, 34 seconds left in the third quarter.

"It was perfect timing," McRoberts said. "As soon as I turned back the ball was coming."

The Salukis took control after that.

SIU, which was ahead 16-13 at halftime, kicked its second short field goal of the third period to go up 19-13.

SIU then scored on its first two fourth-quarter possessions, both following Southeast three-and-out possessions.

Southeast Missouri State’s D.J. Foster carries after a reception against Southern Illinois during the fourth quarter Saturday at Busch Stadium in St. Louis. (Fred Lynch)

"The guys had a very good second half. They were focused both offensively and defensively," SIU coach Dale Lennon said. "Nobody panicked in the third quarter. We were able to gain separation [in the fourth quarter] and ended it the way we wanted to end it."

Southeast's offense was shut down after McRoberts' touchdown.

The Redhawks had a 181-160 first-half advantage in total yardage, when they possessed the ball for 15:57 to 14:03 for SIU.

But SIU outgained Southeast 249-121 in the second half, when the Salukis had a 22:04 to 7:56 time-of-possession advantage. The final yardage count was 409-302.

"Halfway through the third quarter it started slipping on us," Samuel said. "I think the ground game took a toll on us."

SIU, held to 58 yards rushing in the first half, finished with 209 yards on the ground. Oregon State transfer Malcolm Agnew, a junior, piled up 104 of his game-high 127 rushing yards after halftime.

"The offensive line did a great job. Malcolm Agnew was running hard," SIU senior quarterback Kory Faulkner said.

Faulkner, a Ste. Genevieve High School graduate who was listed as questionable for Saturday with a shoulder injury suffered the previous week, started and went virtually all the way.

Faulkner completed 16 of 30 passes for 200 yards and two touchdowns, but he suffered his first two interceptions of the season.

"We figured probably Thursday after practice I was going to be able to play," Faulkner said. "I didn't want to sit, and coach didn't want me to sit."

SIU scored on its first possession, Faulkner throwing an 18-yard pass to senior John Lantz.

Southeast answered on its second possession, Snyder hitting junior Spencer Davis on a 4-yarder with 1:19 remaining in the opening period for a 7-7 tie.

The Salukis went ahead 14-7 on their second possession of the game, junior Ken Malcome scoring on a 2-yard run early in the second quarter.

The teams exchanged punts, with SIU pinning Southeast at its 1-yard line. On third-and-8 from the 3, Snyder was sacked in the end zone for a safety and a 16-7 SIU lead.

Southeast capitalized on its second interception of Faulker in the quarter. Junior linebacker Daniel Siehndel came down with the ball at the SIU 40 with just 40 seconds remaining.

The Redhawks scored in five plays, Synder hitting McRoberts from 3 yards out with only 6 seconds left in the half. True freshman Alex Knight's PAT was blocked, leaving the count 16-13.

After an SIU field goal early in the third quarter, Snyder and McRoberts hooked up for their long pass play. Knight's PAT was wide, leaving the squads tied.

That's when SIU took control for good.