Southern Illinois wide receiver Vinson Davis III celebrates a touchdown last weekend against Western Illinois in Macomb. (Photo by Barry Bottino, PrairieStatePigskin.com)
By Barry Bottino
November hasn’t been kind recently to Southern Illinois.
In the past two years, the Salukis are 1-4 during the final month of the regular season.
But when No. 10 SIU kicks off at 1 p.m. Saturday against South Dakota in Carbondale against ninth-ranked South Dakota, history won’t be a factor, Salukis head coach Nick Hill said.
“We have to take the approach that this is a one-game season here,” said Hill, whose team lost a 27-24 decision to USD last season, which started a four-game losing streak. “We lost four games that came down to the last possession. … When that ball is kicked off, I promise you that South Dakota isn’t thinking about last week or last year or two years ago.”
In order for SIU (6-2 overall, 3-2 Missouri Valley Football Conference) to have a November to remember, they’ll need to rely on a defense that ranks third nationally in stopping the run (83.1 yards a game) and in sacks (3.38 per game), along with seventh in fewest points allowed (16.6) and yards allowed (281.8).
South Dakota (6-2, 4-1) is coming off its worst game of the season, a 37-3 loss to No. 1 South Dakota State.
“I hope that disappointment lights the fire,” USD head coach Bob Nielson told KELO-TV. “We need to be better in all three phases than we were on Saturday. It’s going to take that to win down at Southern Illinois.”
Along with a stout defense, the Salukis will have top running back Ro Elliott back from a toe injury.
“I’d put him at 100%,” Hill said. “He probably could’ve played in that game last weekend (a 63-0 win at Western Illinois). He went out there and went through a pretty extensive workout pregame. He’s ready to go.”
Saturday’s game is critical for both teams in terms of potential playoff implications. With three games remaining, Hill emphasized that nothing is guaranteed.
“We haven’t solidified anything,” he said. “We still have to win more games.”
This week’s opponent
When SIU last saw South Dakota on Oct. 22, 2022, quarterback Aidan Bouman was playing in his first collegiate game. When the two teams take the field in Carbondale on Saturday, Bouman will start his 13th consecutive game for the Coyotes. Bouman helped South Dakota rally from a two-touchdown deficit last season to a 27-24 victory against then-No. 14 SIU. “He made a couple big plays that were difference makers in that game,” Hill said. “He’s a big kid and he throws the deep ball really well.” The Coyotes have committed only four turnovers, the lowest total in FCS. Four different players have scored rushing touchdowns, led by Travis Theis (4.9 yards a carry) and Nate Thomas (6.1) with four each. The South Dakota defense ranks seventh nationally in scoring defense (17.2 points a game) and 31st in total defense (340 yards a game).
Kickoff: 1 p.m.; TV: ESPN-Plus; Radio: CILFM.com.
Key matchup to watch
South Dakota QB Aidan Bouman vs. SIU secondary: The 6-foot-5 Bouman, who is completing 67% of his passes and has thrown only three interceptions, faces a veteran SIU secondary. Bouman, a sophomore, also has been sacked just seven times. The Salukis have three players who rank in the top four in the MVFC in passes defended – cornerback D.J. Johnson (10), safety P.J. Jules (8) and cornerback Mark Davis (8). Bouman’s father, Todd, played 14 seasons for six different teams in the NFL.
What’s at stake?
A victory would give the Salukis a nice resume boost and four wins in conference play. Currently, SIU is one of four teams with three wins in league play.
Quick hits
Saturday is SIU’s annual Blackout Cancer game, in which fans bid on player jerseys, with the winning bidder earning the opportunity to place a loved one’s name on the back. The game raises funds for cancer charities. Hill said SIU is working with Missouri State to potentially donate some of the proceeds to assist Bears sophomore running back Connor Lair, who was diagnosed in September with stage four Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. “Any impact we can have is a big thing,” said Hill, who mentioned that SIU also recruited Lair. “Just to think about a kid their age to have his season put on hold to go fight cancer, go through treatment. It’s meaningful for everyone in this building and those playing on Saturday.” … Southern QB Nic Baker needs only five passing TDs to take over the career lead in that category from SIU legend Joel Sambursky. Baker already owns the career records for passing yards (8,415), completions (710) and attempts (1,073). … The Salukis have climbed the rankings in recent weeks and been predicted as a playoff participant by multiple media outlets. But Hill and his SIU players aren’t paying much attention. “There’s no trophies given out for Week 9 on where you are in the polls,” Hill said. “You want to create as mature of a team as you can throughout all 12 months of the year. Then when times come like this, you’re not worried about any type of distraction. We understand what’s at stake.”
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.
Find us on social media!
Twitter: https://twitter.com/PSPigskin
Facebook: Prairie State Pigskin
Instagram: Prairiestatepigskin
Prairie State Pigskin 
Leave a comment