Delaware ends Salukis' playoff run

CARBONDALE, Ill. -- Joe Flacco grins about having just one final examination left this semester. But the Delaware quarterback couldn't be happier about the big test he passed Saturday.

The 6-foot-6, 230-pound senior threw for 243 yards and 2 touchdowns, helping the No. 13 Blue Hens edge fourth-ranked Southern Illinois 20-17 to advance to the Football Championship Subdivision title game.

"All of us are going to enjoy it," Flacco said after Delaware (11-3) advanced to a title bout next Friday with Appalachian State (12-2).

The Mountaineers advanced by ousting Richmond 55-35 on Friday night, and will be seeking their third-straight national championship in what used to be Division I-AA. But the season's over for the Salukies (12-2).

"We just made some mistakes at crucial times, and we didn't make some plays we needed to make -- that we've made all year," Southern Illinois coach Jerry Kill said.

Omar Cuff ran for 102 yards on 21 carries in helping Delaware snap the Salukis' six-game winning streak.

Delaware coach K.C. Keeler called it a sweet capper to what he called a "brutal" week, starting with the bad weather that delayed the Blue Hens' return home after their second-round victory a week ago at top-ranked Northern Iowa.

Delaware's short practice week was followed by a long flight back to the Midwest for the matchup against the Salukis in what looked like a potential high-scoring affair -- the Salukis came in averaging 39.5 points, the Blue Hens 38.6.

Jon Striefsky had 2 fourth-quarter field goals for Delaware, the first a 47-yarder that extended the Blue Hens' lead to 17-10 with 10:09 left.

Southern Illinois' Alan Turner returned the ensuing kickoff 88 yards for a touchdown, tying the score at 17. But Flacco picked away at the Salukis (12-2) on the next possession, completing five passes for 67 yards in setting up Striefsky's 24-yard field goal with 6:58 to play.

Southern Illinois' ensuing drive stalled when Nick Hill was sacked on fourth-and-4 at the Delaware 36 with 3:56 left. Anthony Walters sealed Delaware's victory by intercepting Hill at the Southern Illinois 45 with 1:42 to go.

John Randle had 129 yards rushing for the Salukis. Hill finished with 106 yards on 12-of-25 passing, but was intercepted twice. Hill also ran for 41 yards.

"This one hurts. It really does," Hill said.

"All day, we moved the ball. We just didn't take care of it in the red zone," Kill said. "You just can't let those opportunities get away like that."