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Field position closes the door on APB's upset bid

By Todd Hefferman, The Southern

Saturday, September 23, 2006 11:35 PM CDT

PINE BLUFF, Ark. - Jerry Kill always said his kicking game would be huge.

Saturday was no exception, as Southern Illinois University's defense and punting put the brakes on Arkansas-Pine Bluff's upset bid in the two schools' first meeting.

The Golden Lions (1-3) climbed to within five after they took their opening drive of the second half 75 yards. APB quarterback Chris Wallace found Jason Jones in the left corner of the end zone with 10 minutes and 43 seconds to go in the period, pulling the Golden Lions to 21-16 after the extra point, but it would be their final points of the evening.

APB began its next three drives at its own 8-yard line, own 21-yard line and its own 9.

"That's the kicking game," Kill said. "That's been a real big plus for us so far."

SIU (3-0) put up touchdowns on its first two possessions of the second half and got two field goals from kicker Craig Coffin to put the game away.

The Salukis began their first three drives of the second half at their own 42, APB's 31 and the Golden Lions' 19.

Cannon replaces Forte as head coach: APB head coach Maurice Forte was replaced by Golden Lions offensive coordinator Jonathan Cannon for medical reasons, according to APB's sports information office. Forte underwent tests for an undisclosed illness this week, the office said, and was advised by his doctors not to be on the sideline Saturday night.

He did help coach the team from the press box.

Cannon, like Forte, has NFL ties. One of the most decorated offensive linemen in APB's history, Cannon interned with the Chicago Bears in 2000 and with the Baltimore Ravens in 2003.

He spent two seasons at Howard University, where he was a special teams coordinator and offensive line coach, and was at Norfolk State University for nine years prior to that.

Three of his proteges Michael Earley, Kenneth McDaniels and Marques Ogden were drafted by NFL teams.

Forte was an assistant coach with the Denver Broncos and the Detroit Lions.

Second half defense: SIU recovered more than one fumble in a game for the first time since losing to Appalachian State last season in the playoffs. The Salukis recovered three in that loss.

Ranked sixth in the nation against the run entering the game, the Salukis limited the Golden Lions to 13 yards on 24 carries.

Behind Arkee Whitlock's 140-yard effort, SIU tallied 219 on the ground on 44 carries.

Dawg Bites: Senior kicker Craig Coffin added to his all-time NCAA Division I-AA record of extra points with six. He is 190-for-200 lifetime. ... APB senior quarterback Chris Wallace hails from Kankakee. ... The two teams will play in Carbondale next year as part of a two-year contract. ... Craig Turner ripped his jersey in the second quarter and went from No. 2 to No. 13. Turner finished with two tackles.

todd.hefferman@thesouthern.com

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