Safety P.J. Jules (4) continues to be a mainstay on the SIU defense. (Photo by SIUSalukis.com)
By Dan Verdun
While many across the nation are writing off perennial FCS power North Dakota State, you won’t find Southern Illinois head coach Nick Hill among them.
Certainly, NDSU isn’t the dominant program that won nine national championships in 11 seasons (2011-2021). Yet, the Bison are far from extinct.
“(They have) different personnel,” Hill said. “I know (for) the guys that cover them, the expectations are so high . . . We’ve just got to prepare for them (with) what we see on tape. There’s not a ton of change schematically.
“They’re still going to be a really good defense. (They’re) going to run the football. The quarterback (Cam Miller) is a good player.”
On paper, the SIU-NDSU matchup appears to be quite even. Both hold 6-3 overall records and are 3-3 in Missouri Valley Football Conference games.
The Salukis are ranked No. 11 in this week’s Stats Perform FCS poll, while the Bison are No. 12.
In addition, former SIU defensive coordinator Jason Petrino now holds that position at NDSU.
“When you watch their defense, it’s still a lot of the same things they’ve done there historically as far as their fronts,” Hill said. “(Coach Petrino) has put his spin on things. They’ve been good for a decade and a half.”
Meanwhile, North Dakota State head coach Matt Entz expressed his respect for the SIU defense.
“They jump in and out of some different personnels,” he said. “We’ve got to do a good job from the press box recognizing do they have their four-down package in or are they going to jump into their 3-3-5 stack look? I think they could impact some of the plays being called (by us).”
This week’s opponent
North Dakota State features the 11th best scoring offense in FCS, averaging 35 points per game.
Miller ranks seventh nationally in passing efficiency. The senior has thrown for 12 touchdowns against just four interceptions while completing an FCS-best 74 percent of his throws.
Miller is also the team’s leading rusher with 481 net yards. He has scored nine touchdowns via the ground.
Senior back TaMerick Williams adds 420 rushing yards and two touchdowns.
Left tackle Jalen Sundell is on the Reese’s Senior Bowl watch list and anchors the NDSU offensive line.
On defense, linebacker Logan Kopp leads the team with 56 tackles. He has also been credited with six passes defended (3 interceptions, 3 breakups) to go along with 2.5 sacks.
Kicker Griffin Crosa has made 10-of-13 field goal attempts and 38-of-39 extra points.
Kickoff: 2:30 p.m.; TV: ESPN-Plus; Radio: CILFM.com.
Key matchup to watch
SIU offense vs. NDSU defense
The Salukis were held to a single touchdown in last week’s 14-7 loss to ninth-ranked South Dakota.
SIU’s 59th-rated scoring offense (25.8 points per game) must produce points against a Bison defense yielding just under 20 points a game. NDSU is No. 19 among FCS scoring defenses.
What’s at stake?
Both teams are coming off conference losses and desperately want a victory Saturday to get to seven wins and a huge bump in their playoff bids.
“It’s very important,” SIU defensive tackle Kam Bowdry said. “Of course every week is important, but especially looking at our ranking and who we’re playing against, we’re very locked in this week.”
Five MVFC teams are bunched with 6-3 overall records.
“It probably shows a lot of parity,” Entz said. “I can only comment on us. I’m as disappointed as anybody. I shouldn’t say disappointed. Do I get angry? Do I get upset? Of course I do. I think we’re better than what we’ve been.”
Quick hits
SIU features the No. 3 defense in FCS through nine games. The Salukis are allowing just 272.2 yards per game. Southern is also third in rushing defense (83.3 yards per game) and fifth in sacks (3.2/game). … SIU quarterback Nic Baker needs four passing TDs to take over the career lead in that category from Joel Sambursky. … Despite missing four games with injuries, Ro Elliott remains SIU’s leading rusher with 327 yards and five touchdowns. … This is the 16th time SIU and NDSU have met. The Bison lead the series, 11-4, and have won two straight. SIU is 0-6 in the Fargodome. … NDSU holds a 186-29 record in the Fargodome. The Bison are 33-6 against FCS Top 10-ranked teams in that span.
Dan Verdun is a co-founder of Prairie State Pigskin. He has written four books: NIU Huskies Football, EIU Panthers Football, ISU Redbirds Football and SIU Salukis Football.
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