Carbondale, IL -- (Sports Network) - Nick Hill completed 13-of-23 passes for 216 yards with three touchdowns and one interception, as Southern Illinois prevailed against Massachusetts, 34-27, in the quarterfinals of the FCS playoffs at McAndrew Stadium.

A balanced rushing attack paced Southern Illinois (12-1), which will host Delaware in the semifinals next Friday night. John Randle rushed for 86 yards on 16 carries, while Larry Warner amassed 64 yards and one score. Richard White chipped in 62 yards and one touchdown on 15 carries. Byron Gettis caught two passes for 104 yards and one score.

Liam Coen completed 28-of-42 passes for 421 yards with three touchdowns and three costly interceptions for the Minutemen (10-3). Matt Lawrence eclipsed the century mark on the ground with 112 yards on 24 carries and Michael Omar caught 10 passes for 114 yards. Rasheed Rancher collected 143 yards and one score on five receptions, and J.J. Moore caught seven passes for 94 yards.

Southern Illinois began the third quarter leading 27-13, but Warner's 64-yard run gave the Salukis a 21-point cushion with 6:52 remaining.

After UMass cut the deficit to 34-20 on Jeremy Horne's 30-yard touchdown catch late in the third, the Minutemen were on the verge of scoring again in the fourth quarter, but Coen was intercepted near the goal line.

However, a defensive pass interference penalty coupled with a personal foul on UMass during the return, allowed the Minutemen to maintain possession. Three plays later, Coen hooked up with Brad Listorti for a four-yard score, trimming the Salukis' lead to seven, 34-27, with four minutes to play.

The Salukis ran out the clock to secure the victory.

Southern Illinois jumped out to a quick start, building a 13-0 lead in the first 6:24 of the opening quarter. Hill connected with Gettis for a 69-yard score and White ran for a 10-yard touchdown. Kyle Dougherty missed the second extra point.

Chris Koepplin kicked a 46-yard field goal, but the Salukis countered on Rick Burgess' eight-yard touchdown catch to go ahead 20-3 with 1:22 remaining in the first.

Seventeen seconds later, Coen connected with Rancher for a 71-yard touchdown to make it a 20-10 game and capped a frenetic first quarter.

After a 25-yard field goal by Koepplin with 6:04 left in the second quarter, Hill threw a nine-yard touchdown pass to Randle to give the Salukis a 27-13 lead at halftime.