2006 Week 12

Up 35 late in the second quarter, Southern Illinois had to feel pretty good about getting bowl eligible.

That's about when Navy turned into the Denver Broncos.

Down 35-0, Navy hung in and put up 38 unanswered points, handing SIU a 38-35 lose and a 5-7 final record for 2006.

"Unbelieveable," said SIU head coach Turk Battle. "I really don't have much else to say."

SIU still lead 35-14 heading into the 4th quarter. The game turned early in the final quarter when back up running back Jason Hayes fumbled the ball over to Navy, the Salukis' first turnover of the game. Navy would trim the lead to 35-21 on the ensuing possession, and on SIU's next possession, Navy cornerback Ben Cole picked off SIU quarterback Eric Sullivan and went 61 yards to the end zone to trim the lead to 7.

The SIU offense was completely rattled. They couldn't manage as much as a first down the rest of the game. Navy took advantage, tying the game with under 1:31 left to play, and getting the ball back after an SIU three-and-out. Navy placekicker Nate Adams kicked the winning field goal with 33 seconds remaining.

Sullivan was 0-for-11 in the 4th quarter. Navy quarterback Marcus Burks, however, completed 6 of 7 passes in the final quarter, which included 2 touchdowns.

Running back Isaiah Mack had a spectacular game for the Salukis, gaining 264 yards on 19 carries, and 2 touchdowns.

Southern finishes the 2006 season with a 5-7 record.

"I'm proud of what we've done this season," said coach Battle. "I at the beginning of the season, most people said that five wins was expecting too much from this team, given the schedule we we're playing. There have certainly been times when I expected more, and there were times when these kids wanted to give more. This is really a special group of kids. I really hate to see our seniors leave this way."