TAMPA, Fla. (AP)_ Marquel Blackwell ran for a 2-yard score with 1:18 left to go to lift South Florida past Southern Illinois 21-14 Saturday night.

The game seemed destined for overtime until South Florida cornerback Bernard Brown recovered a fumble by Eric Egan on the Southern Illinois 34 with 4:28 left in regulation.

Blackwell scored seven plays later, the first touchdown beyond halftime for the Bulls (3-2) in three games. Southern Illinois fell to 3-2 with its second straight loss.

The Bulls went ahead 7-0 on the game's opening drive as running back Dyral McMillan scored from a yard out. They then doubled the lead on their first possession of the second quarter.

Moments after his apparent 80-yard touchdown pass to Matt Holt was negated by a penalty, Blackwell ran 50 yards to the Southern Illinois 16. He connected with Rafael Williams moments later on a 13-yard touchdown pass.

Southern Illinois answered with a 26-yard scoring pass from Sherard Poteete to Cornell Craig with 1:24 left in the half.

Tom Koutsos pulled the Salukis even on a 16-yard run early in the third quarter.