Even without their All-American cornerback, the Salukis’ defense chopped down the Sycamores’ offensive attack.
Backup Lance Caldwell, who played after preseason All-American Korey Lindsey left in the first quarter with flu-like symptoms, did his part to keep up the recent defensive tradition.
Picking off quarterbacks.
Caldwell’s third quarter interception off Sycamore quarterback Ryan Roberts was the Salukis’ conference-high 15th pick of the season, and their ninth straight game with at least one takeaway. Rashad Graham’s fourth quarter interception gave the Salukis their 16th interception of the year.
The interceptions helped the No. 3 Salukis (7-1, 6-0 Missouri Valley Football Conference) defeat the Sycamores (1-8, 1-5 MVFC) 33-0 Saturday at Terre Haute, Ind.
Caldwell said watching the Sycamores on film this week prepared him to defend against Robert’s passes on the run.
“Everyday at practice we’re all so competitive, and everybody knows every down counts,” Caldwell said. “It was something that we’d seen at practice. I saw him go up field, so I just went up field with him, and there was nothing for the quarterback to throw to.”
Roberts, who came into the game as the MVFC Offensive Player of the Week, finished 7-of-18 for 52 yards, and negative three yards rushing on 12 carries. Roberts was coming off a career-game against Western Illinois, where he rushed for 160 yards and two touchdowns.
“The last two weeks, I’ve done a pretty good job running the ball. Then last week, when we ran the power a lot, I had a lot of yards,” Roberts said. “Southern Illinois wasn’t going to let that happen. They game planned that pretty well and shut me down running-wise.”
SIU held Indiana State to only 90 yards of total offense, and the Sycamores started every one of their possessions on their side of the field, with the average starting position on their own 22-yard line.
SIU’s Bryce Morris also blocked an Indiana State field goal; the second straight week a Saluki blocked a punt.
Head coach Dale Lennon said the amount of pressure the defense applied helped with the turnovers and blocks.
“We were able to bring pressure off the edge and because of that, it was easier to get some of the containment responsibilities taken care of,” Lennon said. “I thought our guys did a very good job of reacting to when he did keep it.”
Ryan Voyles can be reached at 536-3311 ext. 256.
