Central Plains FFA Chapter

09/26 21:23 CDT DJ Williams throws 2 TDs as Southern Illinois cruises past Murray State 46-6 DJ Williams throws 2 TDs as Southern Illinois cruises past Murray State 46-6 MURRAY, Ky. (AP) --- DJ Williams threw for 217 yards and two touchdowns, including 145 yards to Markell Quick, as Southern Illinois scored 46 unanswered points to beat Murray State 46-6 on Saturday in a Missouri Valley Football Conference opener for both teams. The Salukis (3-2), ranked No. 24 in the Stats Perform poll, have won three straight against FCS opponents since their Week 0 loss to West Florida. Murray State (1-4) took a 6-0 lead on Jim Ogle's 3-yard touchdown pass to Jaxon Potter before Southern Illinois took control. Weston Schofield made field goals of 29 and 34 yards before Lem Wash's 3-yard touchdown run gave the Salukis a 12-6 lead early in the second quarter. Joshua Newkirk returned a blocked punt for a touchdown later in the quarter --- Southern Illinois' first blocked punt return for a score since Oct. 3, 2015. Williams then connected with Edward Robinson for a 6-yard touchdown to make it 29-6 at halftime. Williams hit Quick, who finished with four catches, for a 75-yard touchdown early in the third quarter. Southern Illinois rushed for 229 yards and intercepted two passes, while Schofield made four field goals. Ogle threw for 77 yards, a touchdown and two interceptions for Murray State.

Up next Southern Illinois: Hosts Youngstown State next Saturday. Murray State: At North Dakota next Saturday. ___ Sign up for Top 25 poll alerts here. Visit the Top 25 here and see AP's full college football coverage here.