It was likely a game Western Kentucky tight end James Rouse will want to forget forever.

Nevermind the key 3 receptions for 30 yards Rouse came up with on offense. It will be Rouse's special teams play that will likely keep him up tonight.

Rouse fumbled away 3 kickoff returns, which led to 14 critical SIU points, in Southern's 56-49 shootout victory over their rival Hilltoppers.

SIU found it's offense against the Toppers, tallying over 600 yards in a game where defense came at a premium. The two teams combined for 1013 yards offense on the day.

SIU struck on it's opening drive. On a 3rd and 19, receiver Bradon Wilson beat the WKU coverage for an 81-yard touchdown reception from quarterback Eric Sullivan. The teams traded shots early, for a 14-14 tie at the end of the first quarter.

Western Kentucky found it's defense in the second quarter, as defensive back Gerald Lewis picked off Sullivan to set up WKU go-ahead score early in the second. WKU found the scoreboard again later in the quarter for a 28-14 lead, having reeled off 21 unanswered points. SIU traded a touchdown for a WKU field goal to close the half, down 31-21.

SIU opened the quarter with defense and a balanced offensive attack. The Salukis forced the Hilltoppers to a 3-and-out on their opening drive, and Sullivan, who had been 4-for-11 in the first half, marched SIU down the field, completing 4 of 5 passes. Mack dove in from the 1 to cut the WKU lead to 31-28.

Rouse fumbled the ensuing kickoff, his first of the day, and on the first play from scrimmage, Sullivan found Lewis for a 35 yard touchdown, and the Salukis took a 35-31 lead, with 2:24 to play in the 3rd quarter.

Both teams traded punches in the final quarter, as SIU outscored WKU 21-18 in the final standza. SIU appeared to have locked the game up late in the half. SIU tied the game at 42, following a 50-yard fumble return that put the Hilltoppers up by 7. Rouse dropped his second kickoff return, and 4 plays later, Mack put the Salukis on top, 49-42 with 1:19 left in the game.

But the Salukis had no answer for the WKU offense, as quarterback Adam Thompson, who finished the day an astounding 26-for-35, for 328 yards and 4 touchdowns, led the Hilltoppers 65 yards downfield for the tying score, and the game appeared to be headed for overtime, with only 11 seconds to play.

But coach Turk Battle was not about to go into extra period willingly. After taking over at the SIU 30-yard line, star wide receiver Sean Howard, who had been held in check and out of the end zone all day, got behind the Hilltopper defense, and raced 70 yards with the Sullivan heave, to put SIU up for good, 56-49 with 1 second to play.

Mack finished the game with 226 yards on 24 carries and 4 touchdowns, on top of 5 receptions for 87 yards and a touchdown.

The ensuing kickoff was fumbled back to the Salukis by Rouse.

"This was one of those game where you just hoped and prayer the last break went your way," said Battle. "I've never seen two teams play their hearts out like this. You have to feel terrible for [Rouse]. He doesn't deserve alot of what newspapers and fans are going to say about this game."

Happy with the win, SIU's first of their 1-A existence, Battle was not please with his team's defense. "We've got to find a way to stop making every quarterback we play look like Montana. We had some success today with some pressue and press coverage, but we've got to get some of these passes to the ground."

SIU will play it's third straight road game, and fourth of its first five contests, next week at Vanderbilt.