CEDAR FALLS, Iowa (AP) _ Ryan Helming threw for 324 yards and Mike Furrey caught two first-half touchdown passes as Northern Iowa defeated Southern Illinois 34-14 in a Gateway Conference opener Saturday.

Helming and Furrey connected for two touchdowns in the first quarter, helping the Panthers build a 24-0 halftime lead and win their ninth straight game.

In the third quarter, Northern Iowa's Cody DeHaan scored on a 7-yard reception to extend the Panthers' lead to 31-0.

Southern Illinois countered on a 35-yard touchdown pass from Ryan Douglass to Cornell Craig. A two-point conversion made the score 31-8. The Salukis scored with 7:36 remaining on a 27-yard pass from Douglass to Steron Davidson.

Northern Iowa (4-0 overall, 1-0 Gateway) rolled up 528 yards in total offense. Helming completed 28 of 41 passes with three touchdowns and one interception. Furrey finished with nine receptions for 110 yards and Michael Gerrell led the Panthers' ground attack with 86 yards on 13 carries.

Craig caught four passes for 102 yards and Douglass completed six of 14 attempts for 141 yards for Southern Illinois (3-1, 0-1).

Entering the game, both teams were ranked in the I-AA poll _ Northern Iowa was No. 4 and Southern Illinois No. 25.

The win also carried a bit of revenge for UNI. The Salukis beat the Panthers 27-20 last year, a loss that helped keep Northern Iowa out of the I-AA playoffs.