Southern Illinois defensive end Tim Varga (right) sacks NIU quarterback Rocky Lombardi last weekend in DeKalb.. (Photo by SIUSalukis.com)
By Barry Bottino
In four seasons at Eastern Illinois, Tim Varga produced six sacks.
On Saturday in DeKalb, his pass rush performance helped Southern Illinois hassle the Northern Illinois offense and secure a victory against an FBS team for the second consecutive season.
“It felt amazing,” said the 6-foot-4, 250-pound Varga. “It’s only one game. I’ve got to be more consistent to have a good season, but this was a big boost for me.”
Getting to the quarterback is a part of Varga’s game that he focused heavily on improving in his final college season.
“I wasn’t really a great pass rusher the last couple of years,” said Varga, who played prep football at Elk Grove High School in Chicago’s northwest suburbs. “That’s a part of my game that I needed to improve a lot. Coming here, we have a phenomenal O-line. These tackles give me a good look in practice every day. I got to sharpen my tools. I think I’m a different player now.”
Southern’s defense has benefitted from Varga’s improvement. His two sacks against the Huskies were among four on the day and have helped SIU (2-0) rank fifth nationally in sacks per game (4.0) as a team.
“People questioned his stiffness,” SIU head coach Nick Hill said Monday. “He showed Saturday that he plays with a motor and he plays with toughness.”
Varga also had another big hit on NIU quarterback Rocky Lombardi that was a key play, according to Hill.
“He’s been outstanding,” Hill said. “No. 1, just the person that he is. His maturity and relentlessness. He’s a physical-minded kid.”
Varga and the pass rush will play an important role Saturday night when No. 15 SIU travels to regional rival and 13th-ranked Southeast Missouri in the teams’ annual War for the Wheel game. This is the highest both teams have been ranked entering the 91st game of the rivalry, which dates back to 1909.
“This may be the most talented SEMO team that we’ve played against,” said Hill, who is in his eighth season as head coach. “We’ve challenged ourselves to get a good look at our team. Our schedule is a challenging schedule. We’ll have a really good picture of where we’re at going into the Missouri Valley (Football Conference schedule).”
A 3-0 start with wins against Austin Peay, an FBS program (NIU) and a ranked SEMO team likely would push the Salukis into the Top 10 nationally.
“These are big wins on your season resume,” Hill said. “It’s an opportunity to go 3-0.”
This week’s opponent
Along with a potent passing game, SEMO has one of the nation’s most productive running backs in FCS. Peoria native and graduate student Geno Hess is in his sixth season in Cape Girardeau and has rushed for more than 4,200 career yards and 55 touchdowns. He posted a career-best 21 TDs last season. “He’s played for like eight seasons, it seems,” Hill joked. “He makes a lot of people miss. He’s a strong back, and he’s fast enough to go make the big play.” Hill said tackling will be key, along with winning the battle up front vs. SEMO. Against NIU, Hill said the Salukis had a season-low six missed tackles.
(Kickoff: 6 p.m.; TV: ESPN-Plus; Radio: CILFM.com)
Key matchup to watch
SIU secondary vs. SEMO passing game: A year ago, SEMO quarterback Paxton DeLaurent threw for 332 yards and four touchdowns in a 34-31 victory in Carbondale. This year, DeLaurent not only has veteran wide receiver Ryan Flournoy (20 receptions, one TD) by his side, but SEMO added Missouri State transfer Demoriea Vick, who has quickly become an impressive second option with 17 catches and two TDs. Flournoy was named to the preseason Senior Bowl watch list. DeLaurent is off to an efficient start, completing 72% of his passes. The Salukis have plenty of talent and depth in the secondary, highlighted by safety and leading tackler P.J. Jules (three pass breakups) along with cornerbacks Mark Davis (team-high four PBUs) and D.J. Johnson. Five different players, including Davis and Johnson, have interceptions this season for SIU.
What’s at stake?
After two impressive wins, beating 13th-ranked Southeast Missouri before a bye week – then the start of the MVFC schedule – could push the Salukis into the Top 10 in the national polls.
Quick hits
Jules was honored this week as the MVFC Defensive Player of the Week, but he should be considered one of the top defenders in the nation, according to Hill. “You’d have to show me some better defensive players in the country than P.J. Jules,” he said. “I don’t know how he’s not on the Buck Buchanan watch list (for best FCS defensive player). If you were to ask the professional scouts that come through to name top FCS guys who have the opportunity to get drafted, and coaches who watch the film, P.J. Jules is at the top of a lot of lists.” … The Salukis are among three teams tied for the national lead in interceptions with five. … With the win at NIU, the Salukis have now won FBS games in back-to-back seasons in the Chicago area (vs. Northern and Northwestern). “I think recruits take notice of that,” he said. Hill credited SIU’s alumni association for ensuring the Salukis had a vocal crowd in attendance in DeKalb. “Saluki Nation is strong.” Hill said he hopes the victory allowed Chicago area alums to go to work this week with plenty of pride in their school. … The SEMO defense has produced only one sack this season. … SEMO left offensive tackle Jamarcus Hill and right tackle AJ Laux are both first-time starters this season.
Barry Bottino is a co-founder of Prairie State Pigskin and a 19-year veteran of three Illinois newspapers. He has covered college athletics since 1995.
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