Southern Illinois head coach Turk Battle has been waiting to see his team perform in a defensive struggle for their entire 13 game tenure as a 1A program.

Game 14 at Iowa State gave him that chance. And his team came through.

After giving up a 1-point lead to the Cyclones with 2:12 remaining in the game, the Saluki offense, which had been struggling the entire game drove the field to the 9 yard line, where Marque Morroco connect on a 26 yard attempt to seal the game. It was Morroco's first make of the season.

"I'm really proud of how this team responded for the entire game," said Battle. "We didn't have our best offensive game, and even though most people haven't seen it, I knew our defense was capable of keeping us in a game like this, and giving up a chance to win. They did that today."

It was defintely not the Salukis' best offensive performance. Freshman quarterback Courtney Smart connected on 10 of 19 passes for 125 yards and a touchdown. Senior QB Ryan Ellis gained 14 yards on 1-of-3 passing. Ellis also rushed 5 times for 53 yards.

Turnovers contributed to the boggy Saluki offensive. Smart was intercepted twice in the first quarter, and the Salukis also gave up a safety on a sack of Smart in the end zone, which gave the Cyclones a 12-7 halftime lead.

"We had a chance to fold right there," said Battle. We had a terrible first half, and the kids could very well have quit, playing in a hostile Big XII stadium, in the rain. But they didn't. This team has a lot of fight in them."

Running back Isaiah Mack broke the game for the Salukis on a 67-yard punt return late in the third quarter, after both teams had traded possessions. SIU took a 13-12 lead after the return, and then traded field goals in the final minutes of the 4th quarter.

Mack finished the game with 65 rushing yards on 15 attempts, along 35 yards on 4 pass receptions and 80 yard on 96 yards on special teams returns.

"Isaiah is a playmaker. He's a guy you have to get the ball to, wherever it is. He didn't have his best day at his listed position, but today proved that if you can get the ball in his hands, he can win football games for you."

The Salukis return to Carbondale next weekend for their home opener against undefeated UTEP.