CARBONDALE, Ill.--Arkee Whitlock rushed 23 times for 115 yards and a touchdown as No. 11-ranked Southern Illinois took advantage of a pair of special team miscues in a 9-0 shutout of No. 20 North Dakota State on Saturday, Nov. 19 before a crowd of 5,809 at a windy McAndrew Field.

The Bison were shutout for the first time in 120 games when St. Cloud State posted a 34-0 win in the third game of the 1995 season at Selke Field.

Whitlock's second-quarter touchdown was the only one of the game. The extra point was blocked by NDSU's Justin Frick. The TD was set up by a low punt snap that forced punter Mike Dragosavich to be tackled at the 11-yard line.

One of SIU's nine punts hit a NDSU player downfield near the end of the first half, setting up the Salukis at the Bison 13-yard line. The North Dakota State defense held and Craig Coffin booted a 26-yard field goal with 13 seconds remaining to extend the lead to 9-0.

The defenses highlighted the action. The Bison gained 247 total yards compared to the Salukis' 268 as each team ran 62 plays, but committed four turnovers and untimely penalties to stall drives. NDSU was 1 of 12 in third down conversions, SIU was 3 of 14. 

NDSU punter Dragosavich helped to keep the high-powered Southern Illinois pinned down. He averaged 55.8 yards per punt including a career-high 79 yarder and also added a 69-yard kick. Dragosavich set a pair of NDSU records, extending his season average to 46.5 and his career average to 43.7. He broke the single-season (42.9/1998) and career (41.8/1998-01) marks set by Aaron Pederson.

Strong safety Craig Dahl led the Bison with 10 tackles including nine solos, while defensive end Isaac LaVant and linebacker Joe Mays each had a sack. LaVant also forced a fumble recovered by Scott Walter in the first half. Frick also had two tackles for a loss and a pass breakup to go along with the blocked extra point.

Southern Illinois' defense was led by Frank Johnson, who shared team-high honors with six tackles. Johnson recorded a forced fumble, one fumble recovery and an interception. Marlon Heaston picked off another pass, while Brad Brachear had a pair of passes defended.

Steve Walker led North Dakota State (7-4, 3-2 Great West), completing 7 of 17 passes for 67 yards. Walker left the game in the third quarter with an injury. Joel Sambursky had 135 yards on 18-for-28 passing for Southern Illinois (8-3, 5-2 Gateway).

Kyle Steffes added 65 yards on 13 carries in the loss. He finished the season with 1,071 yards.