Southern Illinois head football coach Turk Battle has insisted his team is getting noticably better week by week, despite week after week blowout losses. However, this past week, they showed some signs in a 49-28 loss to Minnesota, a game whose outcome was questionable until late in the 3rd quarter.

SIU gave up a touchdown on the game's opening drive, as the Gophers went 7 plays to paydirt to open things up. This time, however, for the first time, the Salukis responded. On their first play from scrimmage, quarterback Eric Sullivan hit wide receiver Sean Howard on a go-route for a 76-yard touchdown strike.

"I felt that maybe we'd been a little too patient to start games, and had been knocked backwards trying to establish our running game," said coach Battle. "This week, we mad it a point to shake things up a little, and try to set up our run with our pass."

Battle's plan worked, to a degree. Star running back Isaiah Mack, held in check to this point in the season by stellar defenses, posted some early success, gaining 79 yards on 23 carries, and 2 touchdowns. Howard again was the star however, pulling down 9 catches for 289 yards and a score.

Southern held its ground for the first half, going into halftime down 28-14, with the Gophers kicking to them to start the second half.

But the Salukis could not find their offense in the 3rd quarter, and as a result, gave up 21 unanswered points to the Gophers heading into the final quarter.

The Gopher offense kept the Saluki defense on their heels all night. Running back John Singleton posted 190 yards on 20 carries, good for 2 touchdowns. Quarterback Tim Brown complemented the ground attack very well, completing 15 of 20 passes for 217 yards and 3 touchdowns.

"It's something to build on, for sure," said Battle. "We can here to win today, and we're disappointed, and we've still got alot to work on. I said it last week and I'm saying it again: our kids our fighting and their getting better. No one should write us off just yet."

Game Notes: Right tackle Marcus Greenway began a 4-game suspension for a violation of team rules.