Hunter Simmons made his first career start last weekend in SIU’s loss to Southeast Missouri. He will start again Saturday against South Dakota in the Salukis’ conference opener. (Photo by GoSalukis.com)
By Barry Bottino
Catching passes from Hunter Simmons is nothing new for Southern Illinois wide receiver Vinson Davis.
“I’ve been getting reps in with Hunter since I got here last spring,” said Davis, a junior who transferred from Charleston Southern. “We always knew he had the big arm and he’s very talented.”
The difference last Saturday against Southeast Missouri, however, was that the game was Simmons’ first career start.
The junior from nearby Marion, Ill., passed for 341 yards and had a helping hand from Vinson and veteran receivers Keontez Lewis and Nah’shawn Hezekiah. The trio has played in 78 career games combined.
Davis said after each drive, Simmons and the receivers would raise the QB’s comfort level by talking about the flow of the game.
“We can use the iPads and just see what the defense is giving us,” Davis said. “We were just communicating with each other and making sure we’re all on the same page on the following drives.”
Simmons will get his second start for the No. 17 Salukis (2-2) in place of injured quarterback D.J. Williams at No. 5 South Dakota (2-1) on Sept. 28 (1 p.m., ESPN-Plus) in the Missouri Valley Football Conference opener for both teams.
Davis said Simmons’ assignment in the loss to SEMO reminded him of his own first start. “Knowing the nerves that he probably had, I thought he handled it well,” Davis said.
Simmons completed 28 of 48 passes with a touchdown and was sacked three times.
Being comfortable with his receivers is a benefit that can only help the Salukis, according to head coach Nick Hill.
“Healthy conversations on the sideline are always positive,” said Hill, himself a former SIU quarterback. “It’s important no matter if you’ve played a ton or not. You’ve got to communicate at every position group.”
This week’s opponent
Along with veteran Aidan Bouman at quarterback, the South Dakota Coyotes have experience and plenty of production at running back. The duo of sophomore Charles Pierre Jr. and senior Travis Theis has combined for 151.7 yards per game this season. Both have scored three touchdowns and are averaging more than 6.5 yards a carry while sharing the load with 30-plus carries each. Pierre Jr. and Theis also have five receptions each. … Leading receiver Carter Bell (nine receptions, 113 yards) needs two receptions to move into third place all-time at South Dakota with 151. He also ranks fifth all-time in receiving yards (2,277) and touchdowns (16). … Sophomore linebacker Gary Bryant III has a team-high 24 tackles. … Senior defensive end Nick Gaes ranks third in the MVFC this season with 3.5 sacks and fourth in tackles for loss (4.5). He has piled up 17.5 sacks and 27 tackles for loss in a career that has spanned 38 games. … A victory against SIU would give South Dakota its fifth MVFC opener win in head coach Bob Nielson’s nine-year tenure. Nielson previously served as the head coach at Western Illinois from 2013 to 2015. … Since 2021, the Coyotes have a 15-6 record at home in the DakotaDome.
Kickoff: 1 p.m.; TV: ESPN-Plus; Radio: CILfm.com
Key matchup to watch
SIU defense vs. South Dakota QB Aidan Bouman: In only 20 career starts, Bouman ranks ninth all-time at USD in passing yards (3,861) and 10th in passing TDs (24). He completed 15 of 20 passes against SIU in a 14-7 victory in Carbondale. “(He has) a real understanding of what they’re trying to do on offense,” Hill said. “He’s experienced. Confident.”
What’s at stake?
Starting the MFVC portion of the schedule with a road win would be a big boost for SIU after stumbling down the stretch last weekend vs. Southeast Missouri.
Quick hits
The loss to Southeast Missouri produced plenty of mixing and matching on the offensive line, according to Hill. He said Tuesday that the team used nine different offensive lineman after injuries to left tackle Noah Fenske (on the second play of the game), left guard Marcelo Mendiola and right tackle Abdou Toure. The head coach praised veterans Chase Evans, who started at center, and Jake Green, who began the game at right guard. Green moved to a tackle spot, along with second-team lineman Cameron Dye. Evans, meanwhile, jumped over to guard and junior Jon Nalley stepped in at center. “They showed a lot of grit,” Hill said. “Those two guys (Evans and Green) did an outstanding job.” … The night was a disappointment, however, because SIU rushed for only 62 yards on 30 carries. “We’ve got to run the ball more effectively,” Hill said. “There were too many 0-, 1- and 2-yard gains. That’s on everybody. That can come in a variety of ways. Calling the runs at the right time, the right schemes, getting more space, what personnel you’re in. Can we do a better job? Yes.” … SIU ranks ninth in the 11-team MVFC with 151.3 rushing yards a game. On the team’s pregame depth chart, the projected starters are listed as Fenske and Mendiola on the left side with Evans at center, and Green and Toure on the right side… Against SEMO, true freshman Jerrian Parker started at running back and was backed up by redshirt freshman Willtrell Hartson, an Ohio State transfer. The duo combined for 54 yards on 21 carries, with Parker carrying the ball 15 times for 32 yards. In the passing game, Parker had three catches for 21 yards and Hartson had two receptions for 27 yards. “I think they did a pretty good job for being asked to play as our only two backs,” Hill said. Regular starter Shaun Lester Jr. and veteran reserve Jaelin Benefield missed the game with injuries. Hill said Lester practiced Tuesday and “should be ready to go for (South Dakota). I would say Benefield will still be out.” … Lewis, a Wisconsin transfer, is one of only two wide receivers in the MVFC to have at least 20 catches and 330 receiving yards this season. … Safety Ubayd Steed is tied for the league lead with two forced fumbles.
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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