CARBONDALE, Ill. — Michael Lindauer, the quarterback for Southern Illinois, delivered a remarkable performance that also served as a memorable finale to his college football career. Stepping in as a player due to injuries among the team’s quarterbacks, Lindauer made his first-ever start on Senior Day, achieving an extraordinary feat by throwing for a school-record seven touchdowns during the Salukis’ commanding 62-0 win over Murray State on Saturday.
“This was incredible,” expressed Lindauer after the game. “The guys around me — thank the guys. The receivers were making plays, the O-line’s blocking. When you get on a roll like that, stuff just starts happening.” The fifth-year senior and former Cincinnati transfer showcased his skills by completing 20 of 33 passes for a total of 283 yards. His impressive performance featured two touchdown receptions by Keontez Lewis covering 4 and 64 yards, two touchdowns by Bradley Clark for 35 and 23 yards, and Nah’shawn Hezekiah, who caught two passes for touchdowns of 19 and 35 yards. Jay Jones also contributed with a 1-yard touchdown catch.
Before this remarkable outing, Lindauer had only attempted 27 passes throughout his career. “Now, he’s in the record book,” noted Salukis head coach Nick Hill. “It will be a hard record to beat, seven TDs in one game. What he’s done … just being so selfless and coming back and being a player. The team needed it. It’s a testament that if you stay committed, do the right things, have a great attitude, you’re going to get rewarded at some point, and he was rewarded in a big way today.”
Southern Illinois concluded their season with a 4-8 overall record and a 2-5 mark in the Missouri Valley Conference, but Coach Hill remarked, “to go out like that, that’s a good way to go out.” Thanks to his exceptional performance, Lindauer earned the title of MVC Offensive Player of the Week for what turned out to be both his first and last start in his college career.
Looking ahead, Lindauer plans to return in the spring as a graduate assistant coach, now armed with a formidable resume to support his coaching aspirations.