True freshman Jake Curry (7) will make his second consecutive start at quarterback for Southern Illinois when the Salukis play at Indiana State Saturday. (Photo by Saluki Communications)
By Dan Verdun
After four consecutive losses and a bye week, Southern Illinois eyes a fresh start when the Salukis return to their Missouri Valley Football Conference schedule this weekend.
SIU (2-5 overall, 0-3 MVFC) squares off with Indiana State (2-5, 1-2) at noon CT Saturday in Terre Haute.
“For everybody here, when you lose four games in a row, you’re looking for that winning feeling,” SIU head coach Nick Hill said. “There’s a lot of hard work that has to go in to earn that.”
While the Saluki players used the off week to rest bodies and reset minds, Hill admitted that as the leader of the program it’s not always easy to totally take a break.
“I don’t think you ever get away, even when you try,” Hill said. “As a coach, it’s always on your mind. Sometimes I feel like I get some of the most work done when I’m not in the office.”
That said, the ninth-year SIU leader recognizes the benefits of stepping aside.
“It’s healthy, and we talk about this (as a program), to get away from here. Coaches and players,” Hill said. “A lot of the coaches were on the road recruiting. (There was) some time to reflect and get away from it, obviously spend some time with your families and then get back in here recharged.”
For SIU, the season now boils down to its five remaining MVFC games, three of which are on the road.
“It always starts with yourself,” Hill said. “Schematically this is what we do. You’re not putting in new schemes every week. You might put in a new wrinkle or two or defensively a (new) pressure. But a three-down, 3-4 team isn’t suddenly becoming something new week-to-week.
“You are what you are.”
The opponent
Indiana State, hosting its homecoming game at Memorial Stadium in Terre Haute, features redshirt freshman quarterback Elijah Owens on offense.
The Jacksonville, Ill. product is a dual threat who leads the Sycamores in rushing while passing for nearly 1,000 yards through seven games.
“When you watch them play, it really runs through him,” Hill said. “Whether it’s the run game (with) the opportunity for him to pull the ball down and run (or throw).”
Owens rates as one of the most efficient FCS passers, ranking sixth with a 70.3 completion percentage.
Springfield native Rashad Rochelle is Indiana State’s top receiver with 28 catches for 254 yards and two touchdowns.
Linebacker Garret Ollendieck paces the team with 69 tackles, six for loss. He has two fumble recoveries and a touchdown.
Kickoff: noon TV: ESPN-Plus; Radio: Cilfm.com.
Key matchup to watch
SIU run game vs. Indiana State defense
The Salukis rank 10th in rushing offense in the 11-team Missouri Valley Football Conference. SIU averages 3.89 yards per carry with nine touchdowns on the season.
Indiana State ranks sixth in rushing defense, allowing 146 yards a game and 3.92 yards per carry.
“We’ve got to be able to run the football. We’ve said that time and time again,” Hill said. “You can’t control the game (and) you can’t be super explosive on offense unless you’re running the football at a high level.”
What’s at stake
Quick hits
SIU leads the all-time series, 31-28. … The Salukis have won three straight against the Sycamores. … The schools first met on the football field in 1944 when Indiana State posted a 55-6 victory. …SIU has faced the most difficult schedule to date, according to this week’s Massey strength of schedule ratings. … Reactivated player Michael Lindauer will back up SIU starter Jake Curry at quarterback. … According to SIU’s game notes, this is only the third time in school history that the Salukis have played five straight ranked opponents. In addition, BYU, Southern’s FBS opponent this season, sports a 7-0 record and is ranked No. 11. … SIU junior Keontez Lewis leads the MVFC and ranks 10th nationally in receiving yards per game (87.3). The Wisconsin transfer has 33 receptions for 611 yards and two touchdowns.
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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