Saluki Football rolls Thomas More, 49-3

Final Stats

CARBONDALE, Ill. — DJ Williams threw three touchdown passes and ran for another score, as No. 20-ranked Southern Illinois rolled past Division II Thomas More, 49-3, in the season opener for both schools at Saluki Stadium on Saturday.

After breaking his throwing hand in Game 3 last year and missing the rest of the 2024 season, Williams was elated to suit up again for the Salukis.

“I had goosebumps before the game — that's how good it felt to get back out there, man,” Williams said. “All glory to God for allowing me to get back to doing what I love to do. I can't get the smile off my face.”

Williams completed 17-of-24 passes for 227 yards and got SIU on the board early with a 10-yard touchdown run, untouched into the right corner of the end zone on the opening drive. In the second quarter, he completed an 18-yard touchdown pass to Jay Jones and a 17-yarder to Jackson Parker. In the third, he found Fabian McCray for a 17-yard strike.

“We have some electric players, it's not going to be the DJ Williams show,” Williams said. “It's the Saluki Offense Show. Those guys are electric around me and I'm just going to get them the ball as many ways as possible. And Coach Hill is dialing these guys up, so I'm just going to get them the ball and let them do what they do.”

After the touchdown pass to McCray early in the third quarter, Williams’ work was finished for the night with his team up 35-3.

“I thought that DJ was able to get a rhythm and move the football on several drives and do some good things,” said SIU head coach Nick Hill. “I thought we moved the ball around to different receivers, proving that we have some depth at wide receiver that can go make plays for us.”

The Salukis (1-0) out-gained the Saints (0-1), 386-191, and the defense forced five turnovers.

“It was a great team win,” said SIU cornerback Jeremiah McClendon, who had five tackles, a fumble recovery and blocked a field goal. “We came out and executed like we were supposed to on both sides of the ball. That's just the standard for us.”

Amir Dwight and Jake Parrella each forced a fumble, and David Obadein and Cameron Cason had second-half interceptions.

“I feel like Coach Pron(schinske) and Coach (Darius) Davis had a great scheme and let us play our game,” Dwight said. “We’re all playing on the same page, playing fast, playing physical.”

Dwight and Lindenwood transfer Donnie Wingate each added sacks.

“It was great to knock some rust off,” Wingate said. “It feels good to be a dawg for sure. We talked all week about just coming out, playing fast, flying around, not really thinking too much.”

Obadein took his interception to the house for a pick-six, stepping in front of a Griffin Scalf pass at the five-yard line early in the fourth quarter.

“I really just trusted the play and trusted the practice that we've put in over fall camp and the summer,” said Obadein, a true freshman linebacker. “I’ve been dreaming about this for so long, so for it to happen, it’s unbelievable.”

The early blowout allowed SIU to liberally substitute throughout the game, with players on the second and third teams getting significant work.

“A lot of guys played, the effort was high, we forced turnovers, we blocked a field goal, so just a ton of things to build on,” Hill said. “I thought we flew to the ball and tackled well. It’s game one and a lot of things to build off of. We know the road's going to get tougher.”

The road gets more difficult, literally, for the Salukis, as they will play their next three games on the road. Next week, SIU travels to Purdue, which opened its season today by whitewashing Ball State, 31-0.

Photos by Cheyenne Bruce