CARBONDALE, Ill. — In his first, only and last career start, senior quarterback Michael Lindauer passed for a school-record seven touchdowns, as Southern Illinois blanked Murray State, 62-0, on Senior Day at Saluki Stadium on Saturday.

A remarkable comeback story, Lindauer retired from playing football last spring, having never attempted a collegiate pass. The Evansville native had spent five seasons between Cincinnati and Southern Illinois, but injuries limited his opportunities, and he turned to coaching as a graduate assistant on SIU's staff heading into the 2024 season.

In a twist of fate, SIU's quarterback room became decimated by injuries this season, and Lindauer was called back to active duty in Week 8, after the Salukis (4-8, 2-6) had lost three quarterbacks, including their first and second-string QBs. 

Lindauer mainly served as backup to true freshman Jake Curry, but then Curry suffered a hamstring injury in Week 10, opening the door for Lindauer to start this week on Senior Day.

"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," said SIU head coach Nick Hill.

After a slow start, the Saluki offense kicked into gear late in the first quarter, as Lindauer found Bradley Clark for a 35-yard TD strike to put SIU ahead, 13-0.

The second quarter was all SIU, and all Lindauer, as he threw four touchdown passes — firing 19 and 35-yard TDs to Nah'shawn Hezekiah, sandwiched between 4-yard and 65-yard touchdown passes to Keontez Lewis. 

In the third quarter, Lindauer hit Clark once again from 23 yards out, and the record-breaker was a 1-yarder to Jay Jones. As Lindauer headed to the sidelines, he was mobbed by jubilant teammates. 

"To go out like that…" Lindauer marveled. "Love everybody in that locker room. There's a reason I want to stay here and work with this staff. This place is incredible, Coach Hill is incredible."

Lindauer completed 20-of-33 passes for 283 yards, seven TDs and no interceptions.

"That will be a hard record to beat — seven TDs in one game," Hill marveled. "He played great, took care of the football and just made it happen. I'm proud of him. Words can't describe it." 

The 62-point margin of victory was the largest against a Division I opponent in stadium history and the 10th largest all-time. Not surprisingly, there were plenty of stars in addition to Lindauer and the receiving corps. 

Redshirt freshman wide receiver Allen Middleton was moved to running back, and carried 15 times for 124 yards, giving Southern its first 100-yard rushing game since Week 2.

"There's not many who are as tough as him, who are as versatile as him," Hill said. "We gave him the opportunity to be the lead back today and he proved he can do a lot of things."

On defense, linebacker Shug Walker, a Murray State transfer, led the team with 11 tackles, 2.0 sacks, 3.0 tackles for loss, an interception and a forced fumble. Walker said he was more motivated to play for SIU's 22 seniors than he was to face his former team.

"Every single senior — Coach Hill went through them all last night — we're proud to have those guys, sad to see them go, but they're going to be successful in life, so that's what it's all about," Walker said. "It really meant something to get them a win today."

The Salukis intercepted four passes on the day, with safeties Iverson Brown, Isaiah Bigby and Ubayd Steed also recording picks.

By the fourth quarter, Southern was playing much of its scout team, including senior Joe Brumleve, a Cobden, Ill. native who had never played a down of football until coming to SIU. He recorded a sack.

"A lot of those guys are down on the scout team," Hill said. "When they get in the game, everybody can't wait for them to get their opportunity. Then when you see them go out there and make a play, it's the rewards in this game that are hard to explain. It brings a lot of joy to the team."

Southern finished the season on a high note with a pair of wins in its last three games, including a school-record 28-point comeback over Youngstown State two weeks ago.

"We talked about how we want to be known for how we finish — your commitment, finishing what you started, and coming out on Senior Day and playing with a ton of grit and fight," Hill said. "These guys did that."

The over-arching theme for the 2024 season was how the team held together in the face of devastating injuries, not just in the quarterback room, but among the core of the team's leadership.

"There will be time for reflection on ways we have to grow and get better," Hill said. "It obviously wasn't the season we envisioned or wanted, but today my focus is enjoying this tonight, letting those guys enjoy it."