CARBONDALE, Ill. ? Walter Payton Award candidate Herb Donaldson became Western Illinois' all-time leading rusher, but the Leathernecks were handed a 24-14 loss by Southern Illinois.

The Leathernecks (5-4, 3-3) were forced to play from behind as the Salukis (7-2, 5-1) scored twice in the first 12 minutes. Larry Warner darted for a 56-yard rushing touchdown at the 8:58 mark, the only play of the drive, and Southern strung together an 8-play, 54-yard drive on its next possession to take a 14-0 lead before the end of the period.

After a missed field goal by the Salukis early in the second quarter, the Leathernecks drove 80 yards on 13 plays and got on the scoreboard with a 6-yard run by Donaldson with 7:34 left in the half.

Southern took a 14-7 lead into the half, and stretched it to 10 midway through the third on a 21-yard field goal, but Western responded with a six-play 28-yard scoring drive that was set up by a fumble recovery by defensive end Teague Dentino. Carl Sims caught an 8-yard pass from Matt Barr to bring the Leathernecks within three, 17-14, at the 1:20 mark.

Mike McEachern blocked the fourth punt in as many games for the Leathernecks after the Salukis' first drive of the fourth quarter, but the ball was recovered by the Salukis behind the line of scrimmage and advanced for a first down. The extended drive resulted in a missed field goal.

Both teams traded punts for the entire fourth quarter. The Leathernecks began their final drive at the 2:45 mark with a nine-yard completion to Todd Speight, followed by a gain of seven by Donaldson on third-and-one. Barr's next pass attempt was intercepted by Korey Lindsey at the Leathernecks' 48-yard line and was returned to the end zone for the Salukis' first touchdown since the opening quarter, giving Southern a 24-14 lead with 1:36 left.

Jason Williams' forced fumble in the second quarter tied the FCS career record of 13.

Postgame quotes:

Western Illinois head coach Don Patterson:

"I am proud of our guys. They went out and gave their best effort today. It was unfortunate we had a slow start. After the first quarter we seemed to out-play them."

On the interception with less than two minutes left:

"Matt had a guy in his face and couldn't see well. It was our first snap of our two-minute offense. He anticipated the receiver to be in position, who was a little late, and the throw was a little high, and it turned into a routine play for the defensive back."

Western Illinois running back Herb Donaldson:

"Southern has a really good defensive front. They are real athletic. They knew exactly what was coming and they were able to stop it for the most part. I have to tip my hat to them. They made the plays when they needed to. The early three-and-outs hurt us and prevented us from getting into a rhythm."

On becoming Western Illinois' all-time leading rusher:

"Its nice but it won't take us to the playoffs. There is no advantage to gaining personal accolades. I would much rather be on the winning side of the ball."