Southern Illinois running back Ro Elliott (1) and offensive lineman Abdou Toure (70) celebrate a touchdown in Saturday’s Saluki victory against Indiana State in Carbondale. (Photo by SIUSalukis.com)
By Dan Verdun
Southern Illinois took care of business in Saturday’s regular season finale.
Now the Salukis must wait out the 11 a.m. Sunday 24-team FCS playoff bracket release on ESPNU.
SIU, ranked No. 16 in the Stats Perform FCS poll, knocked off Indiana State, 38-9, in the final week of the Missouri Valley Football Conference schedule.
The win snapped a two-game Salukis’ losing streak. SIU (7-4 overall, 4-4 in MVFC) is considered a playoff bubble team by national media.
SIU head coach Nick Hill doesn’t see it that way.
“I don’t think there’s any denying that if there’s 14 at-large (playoff) teams, that we’re one of those 14 teams,” Hill said. “If they’re going to go on trying to put the best field together, then we deserve to be in. I don’t think there’s any question with that.”
Record-setting SIU quarterback Nic Baker agreed with his coach.
“We don’t want this to be the end, and I don’t think it is honestly. I’ve got good hope and trust,” Baker said.
Defensive star P.J. Jules added, “We ended the season on a great note, and we’re just waiting to see what the committee says,” Jules said.
SIU – which missed the playoffs last fall – is bidding for its third postseason appearance in the last four seasons.
Southern Illinois delighted the Senior Day crowd in Carbondale by jumping out to a 31-3 halftime lead, providing for plenty of second-half bows for outgoing players.
“I’m happy they got another win at Saluki Stadium. Most of these guys (seniors) committed here when we weren’t winning,” Hill said.
Indiana State finished the year at 1-10 overall and 1-7 in the MVFC.
The Sycamores entered Saturday coming off their lone win of the season, a 27-6 triumph against winless Western Illinois.
Game changers
2:42, 1st quarter: After falling behind 3-0, SIU answered with a 9-yard touchdown run by Ro Elliott. The Salukis would not relinquish the lead.
2:42, 1st quarter: SIU recovered the ensuing kickoff, which the Salukis booted high into the sun affecting Indiana State being able to field it cleanly.
2:36, 1st quarter: On the first snap after gaining possession from the special teams play, Baker threw a 22-yard touchdown pass to Izaiah Hartrup down the right side. The quick strike gave SIU a 14-3 lead.
What it means
The win keeps Southern Illinois in the postseason conversation. It also gives the Salukis a winning record in four of the last five seasons.
Top Dawgs
Prairie State Pigskin chooses the top three Southern Illinois players in the game:
Baker, QB: The sixth-year senior tied Joel Samubursky’s program-record 65 career touchdown passes. Baker completed 22-of-27 passes for 282 yards and three TDs Saturday. He completed his first 11 passes.
Hartrup, WR: The redshirt junior led the Salukis with eight receptions for 125 yards and two touchdowns.
Jules, S: The Orlanda, Fla. native collected a team-high 12 tackles, including .5 for loss. He also had a pass breakup.
What’s next?
The SIU staff and players must play the waiting game. The Salukis’ postseason fate is now in the hands and votes of the FCS playoff selection committee.
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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