A swarming run defense has been a vital part of SIU’s success this season. The Salukis are one of only 11 FCS teams who allow fewer than 100 yards rushing a game. (Photo by Barry Bottino, PrairieStatePigskin.com)
By Barry Bottino
A physical defensive line, fast and aggressive linebackers and an opportunistic secondary.
Those are all traits that the Southern Illinois defense has exhibited this season while earning a spot in Saturday’s FCS playoff opener against Nicholls at Saluki Stadium.
But having a unit that ranks fourth in the nation in total defense can be linked to one specific word: Trust.
“It’s being able to know that your brother’s got your back on the next play,” cornerback D.J. Johnson said. “We’ve got some older guys on the team that have some good experience. We’ve played a lot of snaps.”
Experience helps, but trusting one another comes with repetition.
SIU safety P.J. Jules, the team’s leading tackler with 100, has seen the evidence.
“Trust is built through experience and the tough times when we’re grinding every day in practice,” said Jules, who was named a finalist this week for the Buck Buchanan Award, given annually to the best FCS defensive player. “You’ve got to be comfortable with each other to play as a team. That trust just builds over time.”
Along with its total defense ranking (284.1 yards a game), the Salukis rank sixth nationally against the run (94.5) and eighth in sacks (32). SIU is one of only 11 FCS teams this season that allow fewer than 100 rushing yards a game.
“Our strength is that we just know each other very well and we’re able to play off of each other,” said linebacker Colin Bohanek, a transfer from Eastern Illinois. “It’s gives us a lot of freedom.”
The defense also has thrived because all three levels – the defensive line, linebackers and secondary – feed off of each other.
“It definitely starts up front,” Bohanek said. “Our defensive line has been amazing this year.”
Along with nose tackle and run stuffer Kam Bowdry, SIU boasts Missouri Valley Football Conference Newcome of the Week Tim Varga and Devin Cowan as starters. Varga and Cowan have combined for 8.5 sacks.
“There’s just a bunch of gritty guys up front,” Johnson said. “Those guys work super hard. They clean things up. Then you’ve got the linebackers who are just filling (gaps).”
The active linebacker group features Branson Combs (66 tackles), Bohanek (54), Dune Smith (54) and Zach Burrola (40). The quartet has a combined 25 tackles for loss and 10.5 sacks.
In the secondary, Jules, fellow safety Ubayd Steed, Johnson and cornerback Mark Davis Jr. have compiled 29 pass breakups and seven interceptions.
“Nobody is afraid to hit,” Bohanek said. “We’ve got all of our guys ready to come down and hit somebody.”
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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