Hooper's late heroics help lift Indiana State

Southern Illinois and Southwest Missouri State also earned close victories.
VINDICATOR STAFF/WIRE REPORTS
TERRE HAUTE, Ind. -- Kyle Hooper kicked a 36-yard field goal in the second overtime, lifting Indiana State to a 41-38 victory over Illinois State in the Gateway Conference opener for both teams Saturday.
Hooper's game-winning kick followed a fumble by Illinois State's Demetrus Johnson at the Sycamores' 1-yard line.
Indiana State (4-1, 1-0 Gateway) gained 6 yards on three rushing plays, setting up Hooper's kick.
Hooper also kicked a 34-yard field goal in the first overtime period to put the Sycamores ahead 38-35, but Illinois State (2-2, 0-1) kicker Stephen Carroll converted a 35-yarder tie the score at 38.
The Redbirds trailed by 21 points but mounted a comeback that was completed when Earl Newby scored on a 6-yard run with 1:59 remaining in regulation to put Illinois State ahead 35-28. Sam Logan's 58-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Phillip Johnson with 1:09 showing on the clock evened the score at 35.
Johnson completed 22-of-35 passes for a career-best 373 yards and three touchdowns. Logan caught five passes for 161 yards and a touchdown.
Sidney Montfort was the Sycamores' leading rusher with 72 yards and a score.
Demetrius Johnson gained 139 yards on the ground with two scores, while quarterback Yance Vaughn completed 29 of 52 passes for 348 yards and a touchdown.
S. Illinois 40, N. Iowa 36
CARBONDALE, Ill. -- An interception by Marlon Heaston in the final seconds of the fourth quarter solidified Southern Illinois' victory.
Trailing by four points late in the fourth quarter, Northern Iowa (1-3, 0-1) marched downfield with the help of backup quarterback Eric Sanders.
Sanders completed 5-of-7 passes to get the Panthers to the Southern Illinois 20-yard line with 10 seconds remaining. On the ensuing play, Heaston picked off Sanders' pass at the 2-yard line as time expired.
Despite five fumbles, including four in the first half, Southern Illinois (4-1, 1-0) overcame a 26-14 halftime deficit. Joel Sambursky was 9-of-16 for 193 yards and threw two touchdown passes.
Freshman Craig Turner led the Salukis on the ground with 107 yards, including a 71-yard touchdown. Quorey Payne also caught three passes for 136 yards and a pair of TDs.
Tom Petrie was 12-24 for 187 yards and three touchdown passes for Northern Iowa.
SW Missouri St. 36, W. Illinois 31
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- Cody Pratt rushed for 125 yards and three touchdowns to lead Southwest Missouri State over Western Illinois.
Pratt was overshadowed by Travis Glasford's 368-yard offensive performance that included 283 yards rushing and three touchdowns for Western Illinois (2-3, 0-1 Gateway).
Porter finished with 14 completions for 191 yards and rushed for 90 yards. LaFalce passed for 168 yards and two touchdowns.
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