MVFC roundup\ Saturday’s other games

Southern Illinois 34, South Dakota State 15

BROOKINGS, S.D. — Deji Karim rushed for 127 yards and Lance Caldwell returned an interception 75 yards for a score as Southern Illinois clinched a share of the Missouri Valley Conference. The Salukis (8-1,7-0) came into the day tied with the Jackrabbits (7-2,6-1) atop the standings. They can wrap up the conference title next week with a victory over Missouri State. Southern Illinois quarterback Paul McIntosh threw for just 108 yards but had two touchdown passes, a 4-yarder to John Goode and a 40-yarder to Jeff Evans. The Salukis limited South Dakota State to 14 rushing yards and recorded six sacks. Backup quarterback Thomas O’Brien passed for 181 yards and two TDs in less than a half of play for the Jackrabbits.

Illinois State 25, Western Illinois 7

NORMAL, Ill. — Cliffton Gordon ran for 124 yards and a touchdown and Zach Kutch kicked six field goals to lift Illinois State. The Redbirds (5-4, 4-2 Missouri Valley) outgained the Leathernecks (1-8, 0-6) 405 yards to 210, including a 164-22 edge in rushing yards. Matt Brown threw for 223 yards for Illinois State. Gordon’s touchdown, a 1-yard run, was the only time the Redbirds found the end zone all day. But Kutch converted on six of seven field-goal tries, missing only when a 42-yarder was blocked in the second quarter. Kutch’s longest kick, a 48-yarder, came with 9 seconds left in the half and gave Illinois State a 13-0 lead. Western Illinois’ only score came late in the third quarter on a 6-yard touchdown pass from Wil Lunt to Lito Senatus. All the scoring came in the second and third quarters.

Missouri State 31, Indiana State 7

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — Cody Kirby threw for a touchdown and ran for another to lead Missouri State (6-4, 4-3 Missouri Valley), which scored twice early in the second half, including on its opening drive, to add to its 10-0 halftime lead over Indiana State (1-9, 1-6). Kirby scored on a 2-yard plunge in the third quarter. After a Missouri State interception of a pass from Ryan Roberts, Chris Douglas scored on a 15-yard run in the fourth to put Missouri State up 24-0 A 27-yard field goal by Matt Hottleman in the first quarter and Kirby’s 11-yard pass to Jared Emery gave Missouri State its early 10-0 lead. Missouri State’s final score came on a 43-yard run by Douglas with 5:15 left. Indiana State scored a touchdown with 5:27 left in the game on a 1-yard run by Chris Stutzriem.

Associated Press