Souhtern Illinois defeats Missouri State 44-24

CARBONDALE, Ill.(AP) — Southern Illinois defeated Missouri State
44-24 to claim the outright Missouri Valley Football Conference
(MVFC) Championship.

The decisive win for SIU (9-1, 8-0) sets a new league record as
the 14th-straight MVFC victory for the Salukis.

Senior running back Deji Karim had three rushing touchdowns on
the day to lead the way offensively for SIU as he recorded his
seventh 100-yard rushing game this season. Karim totaled 160
all-purpose yards and 117 rushing yards on 14 carries.

Missouri State (6-5, 4-4) was led offensively by running back
Chris Douglas who had a 65-yard touchdown run and 106 total
rushing yards for the day.