South Dakota State Beats SIU 52-16 to End Saluki Playoff Hopes

A 52-16 home loss to South Dakota State on Senior Day snapped a two-game winning streak and ended playoff hopes for the Salukis.

The defeat dropped the Salukis to a 5-6 overall record and 3-4 in the conference. Southern will close out the 2026 campaign next week on the road against North Dakota.

“I feel let-down right now, not making it to the playoffs both years that I played here,” quarterback DJ Williams said. “It hurts not to be able to give that to a program that’s given me so much.”

Williams played through a torn knee ligament sustained in Week 1. He passed for 209 yards against the Jackrabbits, completing a 25-yard touchdown pass to Tae Marrero in the second quarter and scoring on a two-yard run in the fourth quarter.

The No. 4-ranked Jackrabbits improved to 9-2 overall and 6-1 in conference play. Behind Chase Mason’s 320 passing yards, the visitors totaled 628 yards of offense and earned 35 first downs.

“That’s probably the best that I’ve seen him play all-around and in control of the game,” head coach Nick Hill said of Mason’s performance.

South Dakota State Beats SIU 52-16 to End Saluki Playoff Hopes

Trailing 24-7 at halftime, the Salukis opened the second half with a 64-yard drive capped by a 30-yard Weston Schofield field goal. South Dakota State responded immediately with a 10-play touchdown drive.

“They were never uncomfortable in any phase of the game,” Hill said. “To beat those guys, we had to create some uncomfortable situations for them. We had to turn them over. We had to hit some explosive plays. We weren’t able to do it.”

Despite the score, defensive end Ibrahim Sanogo recorded three tackles for loss, bringing his season total to 18.5 and breaking the school’s single-season record previously held by Bart Scott. Linebacker Andrew Behm added 10 tackles, three tackles for loss, and a sack.

“Walking off the field, it hit me that it’s the last game I’ll ever play there,” Behm said. “Just a lot of gratitude for the opportunity I’ve had to be part of this team and for all my teammates, the brotherhood that we’ve had throughout this season.”

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Southern recognized 22 of Williams’ teammates before the kickoff.

“You try to develop them as people and young men and give them a great experience,” Hill said. “It goes by quick. When you’re 18-to-23 years old, you might not think that it will, but once you become my age, you realize it’s such a short time in your life. You want to make it a memorable experience that really shapes who they are as people.”

Williams also reached a career milestone, becoming just the third active player in the FCS to surpass 10,000 career total yards.

“I have to thank all the teammates, all the coaches that I’ve had in the past and present that have helped me develop as a player,” Williams said. “I’ve accomplished a lot, but didn’t accomplish the things I really wanted to accomplish.”