South Dakota outlasts Southern Illinois, 34-31

VERMILLION, S.D. (AP) Ryan Saeger threw a 5-yard touchdown pass to Aaron Ramsey and Drew Iddings blocked a 51-yard potential game-tying field goal by Austin

VERMILLION, S.D. (AP) Ryan Saeger threw a 5-yard touchdown pass to Aaron Ramsey and Drew Iddings blocked a 51-yard potential game-tying field goal by Austin Johnson with 46 seconds left to help South Dakota beat Southern Illinois 34-31 on Saturday.

Saeger threw for 269 yards and three touchdowns, including an 80-yard strike to Brandt Van Roekel. Saeger added 48 yards and one score on the ground for South Dakota (5-4, 3-3 Missouri Valley). Michael Frederick ran for another 69 yards on 20 carries.

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The game featured eight lead changes, including three in the second half. Southern Illinois (3-6, 2-4) took a 28-27 lead on a Mark Iannotti 79-yard TD pass to Billy Reed. The Salukis extended their lead to 31-27 on a Johnson 50-yard field goal, setting up the Coyotes final scoring drive.

Iannotti threw for 251 yards and two touchdowns but also threw two interceptions.

Southern Illinois forced four turnovers overall.