QB Lindauer’s comeback sparks ‘awesome’ reaction from SIU coaches, teammates

Michael Lindauer threw a touchdown pass in his first game back in uniform for Southern Illinois last weekend, a 20-17 loss to Indiana State. (Photo by SIUSalukis.com)

By Barry Bottino 

In five seasons as a college quarterback, Michael Lindauer played in three games.

With one throw last weekend against Indiana State, he ignited an entire team.

In his first game action since trading in his graduate assistant hat and t-shirt for a helmet and shoulder pads, Lindauer threw a 1-yard touchdown pass to Keontez Lewis that caused the SIU sideline to erupt in Terre Haute, Ind.

“That was pretty awesome, to see the coaches react and guys reacting,” the sixth-year player said of his new assignment as true freshman Jake Curry’s backup. “That was raw emotion.”

Lindauer said his own emotions were in response not only to his first career touchdown pass, but his journey from Evansville, Ind., to the University of Cincinnati to SIU.

“That was letting everything out after a really long process, an emotional process,” he said. “Five years of a lot of work that didn’t lead to what you thought it would.”

Lindauer likely will get more reps for SIU (2-6 overall, 0-4 Missouri Valley Football Conference) when the Salukis travel to Missouri State (6-2, 4-0) for a Saturday, Nov. 2 game. Kickoff is 2 p.m. in Springfield, Mo. (ESPN-Plus)

Injuries to three quarterbacks – in addition to Lindauer’s decision to become an SIU grad assistant – led to the Salukis needing help. That’s when Lindauer started to consider the possibility.

“We talked about it in the summer as a joke,” Lindauer said. “It was a laughing matter at the time. Then after injury and injury, it became reality really quickly.”

When backup Hunter Simmons broke his leg Oct. 5 against Illinois State, Lindauer already had been working as a scout team quarterback, but “in a hat and shorts,” he said. “When Hunter went down, it was, ‘Get the waivers through and you’re practicing as soon as you can.’”

Lindauer would like to coach football in the future, but for now he’s starting by working with Curry, an Edwardsville native.

“It’s my sixth year in college, so I’ve seen a lot of football, and watched a lot of football on film,” Lindauer said. “We watch film, and I explain things to him. He’s 18 years old. I’ve seen a lot more football. But the kid can play. We’ve seen that. He’ll be very successful.”

SIU head coach Nick Hill added: “He’s been incredible for Jake. Even being on the sidelines the last couple years on our team, he’s good for me. He has a great demeanor about himself.”

Both quarterbacks are likely to continue getting time on the field.

“The next four weeks, pending the game plan, I’ll definitely be out there for more reps,” Lindauer said. “It’s making defenses stay on their toes with two different looks.”

Lindauer got involved in another way at Indiana State. He was named a captain for the game, at which 12 family members and friends were in the stands supporting him.

“I was excited for Mike,” Hill said of the TD pass. “It’s one that I’ll always remember. I know it meant a lot to his family. I knew in that moment what it meant to a lot of people.”

This week’s opponent

Missouri State’s offense leads the MVFC with 444.9 yards a game, thanks to senior quarterback Jacob Clark, who has thrown 19 touchdowns and four interceptions. He is completing 72.3% of his passes and averaging 315.9 passing yards a game. … Running back Jacardia Wright, a senior from Decatur, has 11 rushing touchdowns in eight games and averages 77.3 yards a game. … The Bears’ defense has 50 tackles for loss this season, and 13 players have more than one TFL. The team leader is senior defensive lineman Jalen Williams with 6.5. … MSU has forced 13 turnovers while committing only seven on the season. … Junior tight end Mason Rockwall is the No. 1 FCS tight end in yards per reception (19.74) and TDs (six). … Sophomore center Cash Hudson was named the MVFC Offensive Lineman of the Week after the offense scored 49 points a week ago, produced 300 yards on the ground and 575 yards of total offense in a 49-42 victory at Northern Iowa.

Kickoff: 2 p.m.; TV: ESPN-Plus; Radio: CILfm.com

Key matchup to watch

Missouri State QB Jacob Clark vs. SIU secondary: At 6-foot-5 and 220 pounds with a strong arm, there’s a lot to like about Clark. The Salukis’ challenge is to slow down a player who ranks second in the FCS in total offense (324.9 yards a game), fourth in completion percentage (72.3%), seventh in passing TDs (19) and 10^th in completions per game (22.88). Meanwhile, the Salukis are giving up 256.3 yards a game to opposing QBs, the most by an SIU defense since the 2005 season (262.5).

What’s at stake?

Southern is seeking its first conference win of the season and hopes to snap its five-game losing streak.

Quick hits

Against Indiana State, SIU’s defense allowed the Sycamores to convert 8 of 15 third downs and 2 of 2 fourth-down plays. “They were 10 of 17 on conversion downs,” Hill said. “That’s something I challenged the defense with (at practice). They picked up three really short-yardage (conversions). We’ve got to get stops.” For the season, Southern is allowing opponents a 48% success rate on third downs. “You’ve got to get that number down to make a difference in a game,” he said. … Wide receivers Allen Middleton and Bradley Clark made their first career starts last weekend. Middleton finished second on the team with four catches and 49 yards. … Offensively, three second-half turnovers flipped SIU’s 17-0 halftime lead into the 20-17 loss. … With his 15-tackle game against Indiana State, safety Ubayd Steed moved into seventh in the MVFC in tackles per game (7.6).

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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