Retooled & 10th-ranked FCS Southern Illinois opens season at FBS member BYU

Former Southern Illinois quarterback Nick Hill enters his ninth season as the Salukis head coach. (Photo by SIUSalukis.com)

By Dan Verdun

Southern Illinois head coach Nick Hill and Brigham Young defensive coordinator Jay Hill have a history. But, it has nothing to do with their last names.

Jay Hill was the Weber State head coach from 2014 to 2022. Nick Hill’s Salukis slipped past Jay Hill’s Wildcats, 34-31, in the 2020-21 FCS playoffs. That postseason took place in April 2021 after COVD wiped out the fall season.

“Coach (Jay) Hill does an outstanding job,” Nick Hill said during his weekly address. “When you think about everywhere he’s been (as a coach), Weber for example, they’re going to be extremely well-coached and do a great job on defense.

“They’re going to challenge you. They’re going to be physical.”

In regard to the FCS playoff matchup three years ago, Hill was quick to point out that was then and this is now.

“That game isn’t going to have anything to do with this game,” the ninth-year SIU head coach said. 

This time around, it will be FCS versus FBS with Hill’s Salukis facing head coach Kalani Sitake’s Cougars. It will be SIU’s first meeting with BYU and just Southern’s third trip to Utah – including that Weber State game – in program history.

SIU, ranked 10th in the preseason STATS Perform FCS poll, is seeking its third straight season with a win against an FBS foe. The Salukis defeated Northwestern in 2022 and Northern Illinois in 2023.

BYU is well aware of SIU’s wins over FBS opponents in recent years.

“You always respect your opponent, and we knew they were a good team from the second we turned the tape on and started studying. We knew what they’re capable of doing, and what they’ve done in the past,” BYU offensive lineman Connor Pay said.

The opponent

Brigham Young University was picked to finish 13th in the 16-team Big 12 Conference preseason poll. This will be the Cougars second year in the league.

BYU is coming off a 5-7 season.

Redshirt junior Jake Retzlaff and redshirt senior Gerry Bohanon are listed as co-starters at quarterback on the BYU depth chart. 

According to the Deseret News, Sitake and offensive coordinator Aaron Roderick want to keep SIU in the dark up until the first BYU snap.

“Well, the main thing is we want to make our opponent have to prepare for both guys. They are a very good defense. They have defeated a Division I team two years in a row. They are a very good program,” Roderick said. “So it didn’t make any sense to let them know. They gotta prepare for both guys, dig up some film on Gerry. They got four games of Jake (from last year). We just wanted to keep that advantage until kickoff.”

Kickoff: 7 p.m. CDT; TV: ESPN-Plus; Radio: Varsity Network App.

Key matchup to watch

SIU offense vs. BYU defense: The Salukis will start a new quarterback for the first time since the 2021 COVID spring season. With record-setting Nic Baker having completed his career last season, SIU turns to transfer D.J. Williams, who arrives from Murray State, and returnee Hunter Simmons.

Hill, however, did not publicly reveal which quarterback will start against BYU.

“We know who the starting quarterback is in the building. Our players know who will get the ball first. There’s been clear communication,” Hill said. 

Whichever quarterback is given the starting nod Saturday, SIU must generate offense to not only put points on the scoreboard but to also keep the Saluki defense rested and ready.

What’s at stake: Given its history against FBS opponents, don’t count SIU out in this difficult road test. Whatever the outcome, the Salukis want to gain valuable experience as they launch into their 2024 schedule.

Quick hits: According to published reports, Southern Illinois will receive a $560,000 payout from BYU. … The Salukis return four starters on the offensive line with a total of 103 games of starting experience. In addition, SIU has added transfers Noah Fenske (Colorado) and Alex Robarge (Akron). … Of the 23 SIU transfers added during the off-season, 13 are listed on the initial two-deep depth chart. … One of those transfers is Paul Geelen, a native of the Netherlands, who will handle kicking and punting duties. Last year at William Jewell College, Geelen was 8-of-9 on field goals, including 5-for-5 on attempts beyond 40 yards. He also averaged 43.7 yards per punt, and 40 of his 84 career kickoffs went for touchbacks. … Since becoming a I-AA/FCS member in 1982, SIU is 6-36 versus FBS teams. Hill was involved in five of the wins as either player or coach. … BYU is 20-0 all-time against FCS opponents, winning by an average margin of 37 points.

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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