Nov 24, 2001

Final Stats

By STEPHEN HAWKINS
AP Sports Writer

WACO, Texas - Aaron Karas threw for 331 yards and three touchdowns and ran for another score in his first start as Baylor ended its season with a 56-12 victory over Southern Illinois on Saturday.

Karas, who completed 22 of 31 passes, was the first Baylor quarterback in 10 years to throw for more than 300 yards. He also ran for 59 yards on 12 carries.

Samir Al-Amin returned two interceptions for touchdowns as Baylor (3-8) snapped an eight-game losing streak - all Big 12 games for its third straight 0-8 conference record. The Bears haven't had a winning season since 1995.

The Division I-AA Salukis (1-10) ended their season with seven straight losses.

Baylor led just 14-6 before Karas threw an 8-yard TD pass to Jonathan Golden and Al-Amin returned an interception 45 yards within a 16-second span early in the third quarter.

With Josh Zachry out for the second straight game because of a concussion, Baylor coach Kevin Steele opted for Karas over Greg Cicero, who had been replaced by Zachry after starting the first seven games.

A week earlier, Karas made his college debut, hitting 14-of-22 for 195 yards and two TDs in just more than a quarter late in a 38-22 loss to Oklahoma State. The redshirt freshman was the fifth quarterback used by Baylor this season.

Karas ran 6 yards for the opening score to cap an 11-play, 80-yard drive. His 70-yard pass to Marques Roberts, who cut in front of a defender to make the catch and then ran the final 40 yards untouched, gave the Bears a 14-0 lead in the first quarter.

The Bears outgained Southern Illinois 507 total yards to 314. They had 517 yards against Oklahoma State.

Madei Williams threw a 35-yard TD pass to Kevin Gleeson for the Salukis in the second quarter. Kevin Kobe threw 22 yards to Mark Shasteen late in the third quarter for their other touchdown.

Karas threw a 48-yard TD pass to Reggie Newhouse on the first play of the fourth quarter, and the Bears added three more scores after that. Derek Lagway scored from a yard out, Al-Amin returned another interception 35 yards and Ryan Long scored on an 11-yard run.

A crowd of only 7,321 was at the game, which was added to Baylor's schedule after the Sept. 15 game at Minnesota was canceled in the wake of the terrorist attacks.