Dayton Flyers football blown out by 8th-ranked Southern Illinois

The Flyers football team runs onto the field prior to their Sept. 11 win over Eastern Illinois. Photo courtesy of Zach Merz, Flyer News.

Peter Burtnett | Sports Editor

The Dayton Flyers football team kept a 45-year streak alive, but were devastated by Southern Illinois, No. 8 in the FCS, 55-3 Saturday night in Carbondale, Ill.

Oct. 16, 1976. That was the last time a Flyers football team was shut out. And because of the only highlight during their loss to the Cardinals, the streak lives on after a third-quarter, 28-yard field goal by sophomore kicker Sam Webster. The record 489-game streak resists, but the Flyers suffered a thorough defeat against Southern Illinois.

The Cardinals jumped out to a 10-0 lead through the first quarter, and spread three touchdowns across the second quarter to balloon their lead to 31-0 at halftime.

Two more touchdowns were scored by Southern Illinois before Webster’s kick broke through 45 yet-unanswered points. Back-up quarterback Stone Norton came in to replace Nic Baker (16-21, 235 yards, 3 TD) and threw a touchdown to give the Flyers their worst loss since a 78-0 loss to Bethany in 1921.

In total yards, the Flyers were outgained 658-218, and stomped in the ground game, 406-78. One positive for the Flyers is that they avoided any turnovers, but otherwise, Southern Illinois showed why they are a top ten team in the FCS.

Next up, the Flyers take on 2-1 Presbyterian to open up play in the Pioneer Football League. With a 1 p.m. kickoff at Welcome Stadium Saturday, the Flyers look to write the ship against a team that just lost 72-0 to Campbell after two wins where they scored a combined 152.

For more sports news like Flyer News on Facebook and follow us on Twitter (@FlyerNews & @FlyerNewsSports) and Instagram (@flyernews).