Saturday’s Missouri valley football conference games

Northern Iowa 34, Stephen F. Austin 23

NACOGDOCHES, TEXAS

Tirrell Rennie and David Johnson combined for 213 yards rushing and four touchdowns for Northern Iowa. Rennie had 126 yards on the ground, including TD runs of 20 and 9 yards for the Panthers (1-1). His first TD broke a 13-13 tie and put Northern Iowa ahead for good with 7:50 remaining in the third quarter. The UNI quarterback was also 9 for 25 passing for 151 yards. Johnson added 87 yards rushing with a pair of 1-yard TD runs.

Illinois 56, South Dakota State 3

CHAMPAIGN, ILL.

Freshman running back Donovonn Young introduced himself to Illinois fans with a pair of touchdowns and Nathan Scheelhaase ran for two more. Illinois (2-0) rolled up 519 yards of offense and allowed just 96. Illinois’ defense picked off South Dakota State quarterback Thomas O’Brien twice. One was returned for a touchdown by linebacker Trulon Henry and the other set up a scoring pass by Reilly O’Toole to Evan Wilson.

Mississippi 42, Southern Illinois 24

OXFORD, MISS.

Jeff Scott rushed for three touchdowns and scored another on a punt return for Mississippi. The 5-foot-7, 175-pound sophomore rushed for 118 yards on 16 carries, scoring three touchdowns in the first six minutes of the game, including a 67-yard punt return down the right sideline to give the Rebels a 21-0 lead. Scott was the Rebels’ third-string running back coming into the season, but injuries to Brandon Bolden and Enrique Davis in the season-opener against BYU forced him into a starting role.

Western Illinois 35, Jacksonville 21

MACOMB, ILL.

Josh Hudson threw three touchdown passes to lead Western Illinois. Hudson was 14 of 20 for 205 yards for Western Illinois (1-1). His 54-yard touchdown pass to Terriun Crump with 2:33 to play finished the scoring. Crump caught seven passes for 143 yards. Caulton Ray ran for 118 yards, including a 54-yard TD for the Leathernecks.

Eastern Kentucky 28, Missouri State 24

RICHMOND, KY.

Jeremiah Williams ran for two touchdowns, and T.J. Pryor returned from an injury to gain 215 yards in Eastern Kentucky’s win. Williams finished with 119 yards on 24 carries for the Colonels (1-1). Pryor had 69 yards on 14 carries and was 14 of 22 passing for 146 yards and a touchdown after sitting out last week with an injured hand. After a field goal pulled Missouri State within 14-10 just 48 seconds into the fourth quarter, the two teams traded scores over the next minute.

Indiana State 48, Butler 34

TERRE HAUTE, IND.

Brock Lough rushed for 131 yards and three touchdowns, leading Indiana State over Butler in Indiana State’s home opener and the teams’ first meeting since 1974. Lough had a 3-yard scoring run in the second quarter, then got in from 45 yards in the third quarter as Indiana State blew open a close game. He added another 3-yard score in the fourth.

Illinois State 52, Morehead State 21

NORMAL, ILL.

Matt Brown tied a career high with five touchdown passes, Ashton Leggett ran for 110 yards, and Illinois State scored the game’s first 31 points. Brown attempted only 17 passes and completed just 12, but five of them found the end zone. Tyrone Walker had 120 yards receiving on three receptions, all TDs.

North Dakota State 56, St. Francis, Pa. 3

FARGO, N.D.

Sam Ojuri ran for 165 yards, including a school-record 95-yard touchdown, and North Dakota State coasted. Ojuri’s long run came late in the first quarter. Brock Jensen threw two touchdown passes and ran for another score for North Dakota State.

Associated Press