S. Illinois, N. Iowa win Gateway games

Western Illinois lost to North Dakota State.

ASSOCIATED PRESS

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. — Four turnovers in the first half helped send Southern Illinois to a 72-10 blowout of Indiana State Saturday, the Sycamores’ first game since coach Lou West was fired.

The Salukis (5-0, 1-0) scored seven rushing touchdowns and returned an interception for another score as they set a Gateway Conference record for most points scored in a league game.

Southern Illinois opened the game with three rushing touchdowns in the first quarter.

The Salukis then used an interception return, two more touchdown runs and two touchdown passes from quarterback Nick Hill to build a 55-10 halftime lead.

Indiana State (0-5, 0-1) scored its lone touchdown on a 44-yard run by Alex Thomas in the second quarter.

Northern Iowa 23, Illinois State 13

NORMAL, Ill. — Northern Iowa’s Eric Sanders hit wide receiver Terrell Allen for a short touchdown pass to secure the victory.

Northern Iowa’s victory gave them a 5-0 record for the first time since 1992.

The Panthers took a 13-7 lead with just 47 seconds left in the first half when Sanders found wide receiver Victor Williams for a 6-yard touchdown pass.

N. Dakota St. 41, W. Illinois 28

MACOMB, Ill. — Running back Tyler Roehl scored three touchdowns to lead North Dakota State past Western Illinois.

North Dakota State (4-0) went ahead early, and it appeared the visitors would run away with the game when Roehl scored on a 3-yard run to give the Bison a 17-7 lead with 13:46 left in the second quarter.

But the Leathernecks (3-2) answered with two touchdowns —including on a 44 yard pass from quarterback Matt Barr to tight end Matt Warner — to give Western Illinois a 21-17 lead with 7:34 left in the half.

But Roehl scored a touchdown minutes later on a 41-yard run, and the Bison remained in control for much of the rest of the game.