Southern Illinois junior linebacker Branson Combs is one of four SIU defenders with at least 30 tackles and one of 11 players with at least one sack. (Photo by SIUSalukis.com)
By Barry Bottino
Each week this fall, the Southern Illinois football coaching staff encounters the same dilemma.
Who should the coaches choose as the team’s defensive player of the week?
“We could give it to a handful of guys every week,” SIU head coach Nick Hill said. “You can’t just have one or two elite guys that are making all the plays. This defense isn’t that way.”
Thirteen different SIU players had at least two tackles in last week’s 27-6 win against Murray State. For the season, 11 different Salukis have at least one sack, seven players have forced a fumble and six players have an interception, including four with two apiece.
Contributions have come from every level of the defense, with defensive linemen Devin Cowan (3.5) and Tim Varga (3.0) leading in sacks, four linebackers among the top five tacklers and do-it-all safety P.J. Jules leading the Salukis in tackles (55), tackles for loss (8.5) and pass breakups (seven).
“To have a great defensive unit, it has to be that way,” Hill said. “Whoever is on the field, we have extreme confidence in to go and make plays.”
The No. 12 Salukis (5-1 overall, 2-1 Missouri Valley Football Conference) will face their toughest test of the season Saturday in Carbondale when they host No. 1 South Dakota State (6-0, 3-0), which has won 20 games in a row and is the reigning FCS national champ.
“We understand the challenge that’s coming here,” Hill said. “It’s hard to find much on film where they’re out of place or they’re not playing extremely hard.
“You’re going to have to go out and earn this win,” he said.
Despite a road loss to Youngstown State two weeks ago, SIU bounced back with a dominant defensive effort against Murray State last Saturday and believes it can continue to thrive.
“We’re still very confident in this team and we know we can come out here and compete with anybody and beat anybody,” junior linebacker Branson Combs told SIUSalukis.com.
On Saturday, that will take all 11 defenders, along with a sharp offensive performance.
“We’re going to have to be successful on offense to be successful on defense,” Hill said. “We’re going to have to go on drives.”
This week’s opponent
How good is South Dakota State? The defending national champs have the third-best scoring offense in the country (43 points a game) and the second-stingiest defense (13 a game). All-American quarterback Mark Gronowski has thrown a league-leading 15 TDs and six different players have caught scoring passes. On third downs, SDSU has a 64% success rate. Defensively, the Jackrabbits allow fewer than 100 yards rushing to opponents and an MVFC-low 162.5 passing yards.
(Kickoff: 2 p.m.; TV: ESPN-Plus; Radio: CILFM.com)
Key matchup to watch
SIU defense vs. SDSU run game: This is strength vs. strength. The Salukis have the No. 1 rush defense in the country. The Jackrabbits are No. 4 in the nation with 255.7 rushing yards a game thanks to a veteran offensive line. Senior All-American running back Isaiah Davis averages 99 yards a game and has a team-best seven touchdowns. His backup, Amar Johnson, is rushing for nearly 63 yards a game. “They’re physical runners,” Hill said. “They understand their scheme. Isaiah is a pro. You can tell they’re really in tune with what’s being asked of them. We’ll definitely be tested this week.” In short-yardage and goal-line situations, Gronowski is a big threat. His six touchdowns on the ground is third-most in the MVFC.
What’s at stake?
A win would help the Salukis open some eyes nationally and make them a serious contender for the MVFC title this season.
Quick hits
After taking a medical redshirt last season, junior wide receiver Izaiah Hartrup is hitting his stride. Hartrup already has matched his 2021 receiving TD total with three, and has 28 receptions for 340 yards. In the past two weeks, Hartrup has a combined 11 catches. “Izaiah’s best games are yet to come,” Hill said. “I feel like last week Izaiah probably had his best week of practice. He’s one of our best players, so the ball needs to find him.” … After overtaking SIU legend Joel Sambursky as career passing yardage leader last week with 8,004, QB Nic Baker’s next milestone could be taking another Sambursky record. Baker needs nine touchdown passes to break the SIU career mark.
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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