Southern Illinois blanks Nicholls 35-0 in FCS playoff opener

Bruce Kropp

Nov 25, 2023 | 7:54 PM

CARBONDALE, Ill. (AP) — Ro Elliott rushed for two touchdowns, including a 60-yarder, and Nic Baker threw for two scores as Southern Illinois shut out Nicholls 35-0 on Saturday in the first round of the FCS playoffs.

The Salukis (8-4) will travel to play No. 4 seed Idaho next Saturday.

Elliott ran for 111 yards on nine carries and Baker was 12-of-22 for 168 yards passing, including scoring tosses to Aidan Quinn and Vinson Davis III.

Brandon Combs and DJ Johnson made interceptions that led to touchdowns and twice the Salukis stopped the Colonels on downs inside the red zone. The Colonels also lost a fumble.

Southern Illinois scored on its first three possessions to lead 21-0 at halftime.

Pat McQuaide was 12-of-26 passing with the two picks for the Colonels.

This was the Salukis’ second shutout this season.

Nicholls (6-5) was in the playoffs for the first time since 2019. It is the third appearance in four years for Southern Illinois, who hosted a playoff game for the first time at Saluki Stadium, which opened in 2010.