Northern Iowa rolls past Southern Illinois 40-21

CARBONDALE, Ill. -- Brion Carnes threw for two touchdowns, David Johnson ran for two more and the Northern Iowa's defense and special teams scored in a 40-21 victory over Southern Illinois on Saturday. Turnovers loomed large in the win for the Panthers (7-4, 5-2 Missouri Valley). Max Busher returned an interception 24 yards to set up Johnson's 1-yard touchdown. Tim Kilfoy 's second pick-six this season made it 21-0. In the third quarter, Tate Omli recovered a fumbled punt snap in the end zone for a 27-0 advantage. In the final quarter, Ryan West was intercepted a third time, this one by Ray Mitchell , setting up Carnes' 32-yard scoring pass to Brett LeMaster on the next play. UNI's defense and special teams have scored 153 of the team's 349 points this season. MyCole Pruitt became SIU's career receptions leader with 211 after making nine catches Saturday.