2007 Week 2

Eight seconds too soon.

The Southern Illinois Salukis, in their 2007 season opener against the Kansas Jayhawks, battled from behind to mount an impressive drive with less than 1:51 to play in the game, to tie the game at 42.

But with 8 seconds left to play, Jayhawk quarterback Jay East hit a wide open Travis Byrum, who took the pass in from the five yard line to put KU back on top and seal the win.

Kansas needed only 14 of the 22 remaining seconds to complete the three-play scoring drive.

"There must have been some confusion on the coverage," said head coach Turk Battle. "We were playing a three-deep zone at that point, and there's no way the receiver should get behind us or get in the end zone in that situation. We'll take a look and address it."

SIU played step-for-step with the Jayhawks the entire game, the young Saluki offense moving the ball at will against Kansas.

A critical point in the game occured when Eric Williams fumbled a kickoff return to put Kansas in their red zone. The Jayhawks scored in three plays to take a 21-7 lead with 55 seconds left in the first half.

The Salukis battled back, tying the game early in the 3rd quarter, when freshman quarterback Courtney Smart found receiver Courntey Burns for a 47 yard touchdown pass.

From then, neither defense could make an effective stand, and the Jayhawks got the last laugh.

"There are defintely things that we can take from today and build on, " said Battle. "We didn't give up sacks, our offense moved the ball well, and we just had the one turnover, which was big, obviously. But when we've got a true freshman quarterback out there, I think you have to like where this offense is headed. We really just need to shore up our defensive secondary, and get ourselves off the field on third down."

Smart split time at the quarterback position with senior Ryan Ellis, who also gave the Saluki offense a boost in the ground game. Ellis rushed 11 times for 138 yards and a touchdown. Senior tailback Isaiah Mack gained 72 yards on 17 carries, good for 1 touchdown.

Smart finished the game 14-for-30 for 311 yards and 3 scores.

The Salukis continue their season-opening road trip next weekend at Iowa State.