Salukis miss field goal in regulation that would have won the game; Vandals kick field goal in O.T. to win, 20-17, and advance to the Elite 8
By Jim Beers
CARBONDALE – The Southern Illinois University Football Salukis traveled to Moscow, Idaho to play the Idaho Vandals in the 2nd Round of the 2023 NCAA FCS Playoffs. Saturday December 2 was the date and the Dawgs kicked off at 9:00 p.m. Central Time with hopes of upsetting No. 4 Seed Idaho and advancing to the Elite 8 of the playoffs.
SIU’s Ro Elliott (1) scores one of his two touchdowns in the second round of the NCAA FCS Football Playoffs Saturday December 2 at Moscow, Idaho. The Salukis lost in overtime to Idaho, 20-17. Saluki Athletics Photo
The Salukis, who play in the toughest FCS conference in the country (The Missouri Valley Conference) were confident that they could win at Moscow. The first quarter was a defensive battle with both teams scoreless after the first quarter.
Just 2-minutes into the 2nd quarter SIU scored on a 38-yard sprint from Ro Elliott. Jake Baumgarte kicked the extra point and the Salukis led, 7-0 at the 13:06 mark.
On the ensuing kickoff Idaho fumbled and SIU recovered the ball. At that point in the game, Idaho had punted twice and fumbled once against the tough Saluki defense.
SIU’s Peyton Reeves (90) a 6’2″ 317 lb. sophomore defensive tackle celebrates after recovering an Idaho fumble at the 12:50 mark of the second quarter of the SIU vs Idaho 2nd Round NCAA FCS Playoff game Saturday December 2. The recovery gave the ball back to the Salukis and set up the Dawg’s second score of the game, a field goal, to extend the Saluki’s lead to 10-0 at the 11:53 mark. Saluki Athletics Photo.
On SIU’s possession, the Dawgs were unable to move the ball on three downs due to a failed run, a tackle for a 2-yard loss, and an incomplete pass with accompanying penalty. Facing 4-and-12 at the 11:53 mark, SIU kicker, sophomore Jake Baumgarte kicked a field goal to add three more points to SIU’s seven to give the Dawgs a 10-0 lead.
The Saluki defense held the Vandals to four downs (4-and-1) when an SIU off-sides penalty gave Idaho a first down. A Vandal holding penalty pushed them back to 1-and-20. On the next play there was a Vandal injury on a 3-yard gain. Idaho faced 3-and-17.
On the next play, Southern’s Dune Smith, a junior linebacker, sacked the quarterback for a 10-yard loss and Idaho faced 3-and 27. A 6-yard run was not enough for a first down and the Vandals faced 4-and-21 forcing them to punt.
SIU had a great series going on its next possession with 7:19 to play in the half, but a failed pass, an off-sides penalty, a second off-sides penalty, and a called-back first down pass forced them to punt at the 4:30 mark.
In the final four minutes in the half, the Vandals orchestrated an opportunity to kick a field goal with just 2-seconds remaining, in spite of a quarterback sack by SIU defensive tackle, senior Dante Cleveland.
Idaho kicker, Ricardo Chavez nailed the field goal to end the half and give the Vandals their first points of the game. SIU led, 10-3 at halftime, but Idaho gained a bit of momentum to take into the locker room.
After the break SIU received the kickoff to start the 3rd quarter. Ro Elliott got a first down on the second play and Nic Baker connected with Vinson Davis III for another first down at the 13:20 mark. All was going well.
On the next play wide receiver Izaiah Hartrup was thrown for a 2-yard loss. On the next play SIU’s Justin Strong fumbled the ball on a Saluki run and Idaho recovered at the 11:35 mark.
The Saluki defense went to work and held the Vandals to three-and-out forcing an Idaho punt at 10:54. SIU returned the favor going three-and-out on their ensuing possession forcing a Saluki punt at 10:02.
Following the punt, Idaho got the biggest gain of the game on a 21-yard run. The Vandals then passed for another first down giving them momentum and hope. At the 7:30 mark Idaho attempted a pass which was intercepted by SIU’s Branson Combs who has accomplished his 6th career college interception.
SIU took over 1st-and-10 with 7:24 to play in the third quarter with confidence and a bit of momentum after the interception by Combs. On the first play from scrimmage, Nic Baker threw a first-and-ten pass to junior Izaiah Hartrup and the race was on.
The Idaho defense had other ideas, however, and on the next play threw the Salukis for an 11-yard loss after the Dawgs attempted an unsuccessful double-reverse. The Vandals stopped SIU on its next two plays forcing a punt at the 5:42 mark. In fact, this punt was one which will be remembered for a long, long time!
Idaho’s Jackson took the SIU punt on about the 16-yard line and proceeded to run, dodge, race, gig, and jive his way 84-yards and into the Saluki end zone for a touchdown. The extra-point kick was good and the Vandals tied the game, 10-10. This was the first of two huge blunders which eventually doomed the Dawgs.
The Idaho success did nothing but get the Salukis rabidly angry. SIU took the ensuing kickoff and proceeded to get three consecutive first-and-tens. Baker connected with junior Aidan Quinn for the first one and senior D’Ante’ Cox for the second.
O the next play, Ro Elliott ran for a quick 5 yards. On the play, Idaho was called for a face mask personal foul giving SIU a third first-and-ten. The Salukis were on fire! Quarterback Nic Baker was stopped on the first play and thrown for a 1-yard loss. On the second play from scrimmage Ro Elliott ran for 8 yards.
Facing 3-and-3, with 1-minute to play in the third quarter, Nic Baker threw a touchdown pass to SIU’s Justin Strong for what appeared to be another SIU score. The Idaho coach asked for a review of the play which determined that the Strong’s catch was good, however, upon investigation of the play, it was discovered that SIU had an ineligible receiver down field.
That fact called back the SIU touchdown and gave SIU a 5-yard penalty with 40-seconds left in the period. The Dawgs replayed the down facing 3-and-8. Justin Strong got a first down on a pitch from Nic Baker. SIU was in the Red Zone as the clock ran out to end the 3rd quarter with the game tied, 10-10.
The Salukis picked up right where they left off to begin the 4th quarter. Just 34 seconds inti the period Ro Elliott scored SIU’s second touchdown on a 3-yard run. Jake Baumgarte’s extra point kick was good and the Dawgs led, 17-10 at the 14:26 mark. That touchdown topped-off a 12-play, six minute drive.
The Salukis kicked off to Idaho with the ball being downed at the 5 yard line. A penalty on the kickoff and the Vandals were given a 5-yard loss having them start with 1-and-15. On the second play from scrimmage Idaho passed for a first down.
SIU held them for two downs and then Branson Combs put a stop to a third attempt. Facing 4-and-2, Dante Cleveland, a 6’-4”, 298 lb. defensive tackle sacked the Idaho quarterback. It was his second sack of the game and his 7th career sack. SIU took over on downs with just 12:11 to play.
On SIU’s next possession (11:59), Idaho had back-to-back tackles for a loss and sacked quarterback Nic Baker on third down. The Salukis were forced to punt having possessed the ball for just two minutes.
On Idaho’s possession, the Vandals went on a passing spree for four first downs making it to SIU’s Red Zone. The Saluki defense held the Vandals for four downs and expected to get the ball back on downs with under five minutes to play, but a late flag was called on SIU’s Davis for pass interference. That deflated the SIU celebration and Idaho had a first down with 4:20 to play.
Facing 1-and-goal, the Vandals scored and the extra point was good. The score was tied once again, 17-17, with just 4:17 to play in the game.
With 4:17 remaining in the game, the stage was set for Southern to orchestrate one final drive in which to score and win the game.
Ro Elliott ran for 5 yards to start the drive. Nic Baker connected with Vinson Davis III on a pass for a first down with 3:35 left. Baker connected with D’Ante’ Cox two plays later for another first down. Justin Strong ran for 3 yards after which Baker scrambled for a first down of his own with 1:31 remaining in the game.
Next, Baker passed for five yards then completed another pass to D’Ante’ Cox for yet another first down. With only 38-seconds to play. Ro Elliott then took control and ran to the 22 yard line with just 5-seconds left to play.
The stage was set. The Salukis had controlled the clock with perfection the final 4:17 and had the ball at the 22 yard line. SIU had three time outs. Quarterback Nic Baker ran one final quick play with a quarterback keeper to help center the ball and called an immediate time out.
It was a perfect scenario for a victory field goal with 3-secnds left to play. SIU kicker, Jake Baumgarte came on the field to kick the winning field goal. Idaho called a time out, most likely to get into Baumgarte’s head.
Following the time out, SIU set up for the field goal attempt. A good kick and SIU had the win with no time left for Idaho to recover. A miss left both teams tied and overtime in view,
The ball was snapped, and before SIU could react to a blitz of defenders, the ball was kicked and Idaho deflected the ball to prevent SIU’s victory party. The field goal was blocked!
In overtime, both teams had an opportunity to score from the 25 yard line. A coin was flipped to determine who would go first. Idaho won the toss and SIU had to take the first scoring opportunity.
Overtime was not good to the Salukis! On first down, Ro Elliott could not get to a short pass from Nic Baker. On second down a Baker pass was deflected. Facing 3rd- and-13, the Salukis elected to pass again and Idaho intercepted the ball. The turnover gave the ball to the Vandals.
It took only two plays and Idaho had a first down. The SIU defense then held the Vandals for the next thee downs and facing 4-and-7, Idaho elected to kick a field goal for the win. The kick was good and the Vandals celebrated a second round victory escaping the bite of the Salukis.
SIU was eliminated from the 2023 NCAA FCS Football Playoffs with a final record of 8-5. The Salukis made the playoffs for 4-of-the-last-five seasons, and this year made it to the Final-16. Idaho will go against Albany next Saturday December 9 in Round 3, the Elite-8.