Williams leads SIU to 27-7 win, Murray’s 18th straight loss

CARBONDALE, Ill. – Southern Illinois University quarterback DJ Williams delivered a stellar performance Saturday night, personally accounting for three touchdowns as the Salukis dominated Murray State 27-7. The decisive Missouri Valley Football Conference victory was played under the lights at Saluki Stadium, and unfortunately for the visiting Racers, it extended their unenviable losing streak to 18 consecutive games.

Williams, a junior signal-caller, showcased his dual-threat capabilities, orchestrating an efficient Saluki offense. He rushed for two touchdowns, punching in scores of 10 and 5 yards with nimble footwork. Not content with just his legs, Williams also connected on a 30-yard touchdown pass, capping a crucial drive. For the night, Williams completed 15 of 22 passes for 185 yards and the lone aerial score, while also leading the team in rushing with 95 yards on 18 carries.

The Salukis, now 3-1 overall and 1-0 in MVFC play, established control early and never relinquished it. Their defense stifled Murray State’s attack, holding the Racers to just 7 points and under 200 total offensive yards for the game. Southern Illinois amassed over 400 yards of offense, with a balanced attack of 230 rushing yards and 185 passing yards, keeping the Murray State defense on its heels.

“DJ was exceptional tonight,” said Southern Illinois Head Coach Nick Hill after the game. “He’s a true competitor and he really elevates our entire offense with his ability to make plays with his arm and his legs. Our defense was also lights out, creating turnovers and stifling their run game.”

For Murray State, the loss marked their 18th straight, a streak that dates back to the 2022 season. Their last victory came on October 22, 2022, a 27-24 triumph over Indiana State. Now 0-4 on the season and 0-1 in conference, the Racers continue to search for answers under Head Coach Jody Owens.

“It’s incredibly tough, there’s no way around it,” Owens remarked. “Our guys are fighting and they’re giving effort, but we’re just not executing consistently enough to get over the hump. We have to address the mental mistakes and find a way to finish drives and stop opponents. The streak weighs on us, but we have to keep pushing forward.”

Southern Illinois will look to carry their momentum into next Saturday when they hit the road to face Youngstown State. Murray State, meanwhile, returns home to Roy Stewart Stadium to host Illinois State, hoping to snap their historic losing streak.