Salukis deflate YSU's hopes

A 25-mile-an-hour wind played a big part in the contest, especially on kickoffs.
By PETE MOLLICA
VINDICATOR SPORTS
CARBONDALE, Ill. -- Youngstown State's hopes for a postseason berth suffered a major setback Saturday with a 31-17 loss to Southern Illinois.
The Penguins (7-3, 4-2 Gateway) must defeat Western Kentucky in the home finale to have a chance at making the playoffs for the first time since 2000.
The 15th-ranked Penguins blew a 17-7 halftime lead against the No. 5 Salukis (7-2, 5-1), who scored three second-half touchdowns and a field goal.
Sophomore quarterback Tom Zetts had a career-high 291 yards on 18-of-31 passing, and two touchdowns, and the Penguins outgained SIU, 382-254.
Clutch plays
But senior quarterback Joel Sambursky of Southern Illinois answered with 17-of-26 passing for 235 yards and three touchdowns, and too many clutch plays.
"Our kids played hard and it was a good football game, but one or two plays made the difference," said YSU coach Jon Heacock.
A 25-mile-an-hour wind played a big part in the contest, especially on kickoffs where not one kick with the wind was returned.
The Salukis scored early in the third period when Sambursky needed just three plays, one a 39-yard pass and then a 16-yard strike to Kellen Allen for the touchdown.
They tied the game at 17-all on a 19-yard field goal by Craig Cotten.
The Penguins came back with a drive that reached the SIU 27, but then stalled and redshirt freshman kicker Brian Palmer missed a 49-yard field goal attempt to the right.
The Salukis then drove 68 yards for the go-ahead touchdown. Again it was Sambursky who threw the perfect pass to Allen from 9 yards out to make it 24-17.
Zetts left the game with an injured right ankle and was replaced by sophomore backup Vince Gliatta.
Back-breaker
Junior Joe Bishop unloaded a long punt that was fielded by Craig Turner at the SIU 15. Turner went right up the middle and raced 85 yards for the touchdown with 3:05 remaining to make it 31-17.
The Penguins managed just 85 yards rushing, including 74 by junior tailback Marcus Mason.
Southern Illinois tailback Arkee Whitlock rushed for 124 yards on 26 carries.
The Penguins started and ended the first half of play in fine fashion.
Southern Illinois won the toss and took the wind, but Cotten promptly knocked the opening kickoff out of bounds and the Penguins started at their 35.
Zetts threw on five of YSU's first seven plays, and he completed all five, including the final one for 17 yards and the touchdown to junior tight end Max King. King was wide open across the middle, but still had to make a leaping grab in the end zone.
The Salukis came back to tie the contest on a 53-yard drive that was mostly on the ground, before Sambursky made an impressive play for the touchdown. With a defender hanging on his arm, Sambursky tossed a five 5-yard pass to Braden Jones, who made a great catch while staying inbounds.
Both defenses played very well the rest of the half, although the Penguins got the best of it.
After Zetts was intercepted by Brad Bracher at the SIU 10, the Penguins quickly stopped the Salukis and forced a punt.
On the first play after the punt, with the wind at his back, Zetts lofted a pass from the YSU 28 for senior tight end Aaron Marshall.
Concentration
Marshall and SIU's Royal Whitaker were going stride for stride and the pass was perfect. Whitaker bumped Marshall before the ball arrived and the yellow flag flew, but Marshall never lost concentration and hauled the pass in at midfield and when Whitaker fell down Marshall waltzed easily to the end zone.
After Bishop kicked the ball out of the end zone the Salukis were at their own 20.
After a first down to the 30, Sambursky rolled out to pass and was rushed hard by senior Justin Scholes, who hit the quarterback and forced a fumble at the 20 where senior Brandon Brown scooped it up before being tackled at the 13 with just over a minute remaining.
The Penguins settled for a 30-yard field goal by Palmer and a 10-point halftime lead.
mollica@vindy.com