On this date, Oct. 14, 2017

CARBONDALE, Ill. — On this date in 2017, SIU beat Illinois State, 42-7. The game featured three future Saluki pros: Ryan Neal, Craig James and Jeremy Chinn, plus a special appearance by the legendary Walt Frazier, who was interviewed by Connor Onion.

In a Homecoming matchup versus the 15th-ranked Redbirds, SIU's defense forced five turnovers and five 3-and-outs, and the offense piled up 549 yard of total offense.

"I just can't say enough of how proud I am of the guys in that locker room," SIU head coach Nick Hill said. "The way that they responded with their backs against the wall. Everyone just stuck to the plan we talked about. This is a process. We've taken a step forward with this program in the toughest conference in the country."

The Redbirds were allowing just 219 yards per game, but the Salukis had 320 yards and a 21-0 lead by halftime.

"That just set the tone for the game," Chinn said. "We knew we had to come out strong from the jump and it was going to be a dogfight for them, and it was going to be a dogfight for us."

Running back DJ Davis was the early star; of his first five touches, two went for touchdowns and three went for 20 yards or more. Davis makes his return to SIU this Saturday when the Salukis host North Dakota, where Davis coaches the Fighting Hawks' running backs.