CARBONDALE - Deji Karim's first lost fumble of the season and a strong wind deterred a strong Southern Illinois University start Saturday.

Karim, the nation's second-leading rusher, fumbled away SIU's opening possession to set up the Panthers near the SIU 30-yard line. Eastern Illinois drove all the way to the 11 before using some trickery to take its first and only lead of the game.

The Salukis scored 48 straight points to beat the Panthers 48-7 and advance to the second round of the Football Championship Subdivision playoffs.

Starting wideout Lorence Ricks took a handoff from quarterback Jake Christensen to his left on a fourth-and-1 from the 11. As everyone else went right, Ricks took off around the left end and was untouched on his way to the end zone with 11:42 to go in the first quarter. Kicker Austin Signor added the extra point.

EIU (8-4) never dotted the scoreboard the rest of the way, as the Panthers fell for the third straight time in the postseason to SIU. The top-ranked Salukis (11-1) won their 11th straight game to advance to meet 10-2 William & Mary, which beat Weber State 38-0.

Karim finished with three touchdowns and became one of the first two players to rush for at least 100 yards against the Panthers' defense. Quarterback Paul McIntosh, who accounted for three scores, had 103 yards at the half.

For more on this game, please see Sunday's editions.

todd.hefferman@thesouthern.com / 618-351-5087