Southern Illinois center Chase Evans (62), shown here with offensive line coach Dan Clark, will make his 50th start when the Salukis host Murray State at noon Saturday in Carbondale. (Photo by Saluki Communications)
By Dan Verdun
Southern Illinois offensive linemen and roommates Chase Evans and Jake Green will have made a combined 89 career starts once the ball is snapped in Saturday’s season finale at Saluki Stadium.
“That’s definitely a lot of banging (against the defensive line) for sure,” said Evans, who will make his 50th start when SIU (3-8 overall, 1-5 in the Missouri Valley Football Conference) hosts Murray State (1-10, 0-7) for a noon kickoff.
“It means a lot though,” Evans said. “It’s been a long journey. I’m happy it’s all been at SIU. It’s been an incredible experience, being with the same coaches and Coach (Nick) Hill has meant a lot to me.”
Green, meanwhile, has the longest active Saluki starting streak at 35 games.
“It’s definitely a little sad; I’ve been playing football since I was 12 years old,” said Green, who will make his 39th career start. “It’s the end of a chapter, but on the other side we want to come out of here with a win.”
During his weekly media address, Hill noted that not every player gets to end his career with a win. Hill also praised Evans and Green, who are the only SIU offensive linemen to play in every game this season.
“Two incredible young men who have given a ton to this program,” Hill said. “Those two leading the way offensively as far as their leadership. Both of them have played through injuries this year. They want to finish out their careers the right way.”
Hill, wrapping up his ninth year as SIU head coach, elaborated on the duo’s dedication.
“Chase hasn’t practiced much through the entire year really (because of injuries) but finds himself going out there and playing on Saturdays. Jake has come out of games (with ailments) and gone back into games. They play their tails off. There’s just a lot of appreciation for those two guys and what they’ve given to the program,” Hill said.
Clark, a super man
Evans and Green also shared their appreciation for offensive line coach Dan Clark.
“He’s a great coach but even a better person,” Evans said. “It’s super important when you have a position coach who cares about the guys in his room. We probably spend the most time around him as anyone.”
“Coach Clark is funny,” Green said. “He’s the type of guy who brings the same energy no matter what’s going on, win or lose. Clark’s going to be screaming his head off at you to try and get the guys going. We love him.”
Clark, a former quarterback and third baseman at Division III Simpson College in Iowa, has been with the Salukis since 2022.
“We give him crap for being a Division III coach-to-be and baseball player when his brother is (former All-Pro tight end) Dallas Clark,” Green jabbed.
Saturday’s starter?
While Saturday’s final game will be bittersweet for Evans and Green, it’s made more special because they’re joined by their third roommate, retired quarterback-turned defensive graduate assistant-turned active QB Michael Lindauer.
With freshman Jake Curry questionable for Saturday’s home game with a hamstring injury, Lindauer could very well get the starting nod.
“I’ve been playing football since like second or third grade,” said Evans, the center. “(I’ve got) a bunch of great memories, but really all three of us being on the field together has been great.”
To date, Lindauer has played in three games since being reactivated this season. That includes last weekend’s second half at No. 3 South Dakota State in which he completed 12-of-17 passes for 148 yards and a touchdown.
How much would a win in their final game together mean?
Green, who has played both guard and tackle, delivered a cinematic spin.
“That would make one hell of a movie for sure,” Green said. “We’re like, ‘Let’s go out and sling it. We’ve got nothing to lose at this point.’”
The opponent
Since joining the Missouri Valley Football Conference in 2022, Murray State has lost 14 straight league games. … Ironically, the Racers won their inaugural MVFC game, a 30-28 triumph against Indiana State Sept. 30, 2023. … This year’s team has one win, which came Sept. 14 against Mississippi Valley State of the Southwestern Athletic Conference. … The Racers rank last among the MVFC’s 11 teams in scoring defense (45.3 points per game) and 10th in scoring offense (18.8 ppg). … Junior Jawaun Northington tops the team with 495 rushing yards, which places him 19th among conference leaders. … Quarterback Jayden Johannsen ranks last among MVFC passers, throwing for 128.9 yards per game. The grad transfer from Division II South Dakota Mines has passed for seven touchdowns while being intercepted 11 times. … North Texas transfer J’Kalon Carter is the top receiver with 38 catches for 498 yards. Redshirt senior Kade Neely leads the team with three TD receptions. … Kicker James London has made 14-of-19 field goal attempts with a long of 55 yards.
Kickoff: noon TV: ESPN-Plus; Radio: Cilfm.com.
Key matchup to watch
SIU offense vs. Murray State defense
Southern Illinois put up 37 points in a last-second win against Youngstown State two weeks ago at Saluki Stadium. The Salukis would love a repeat performance.
Meanwhile, the Racers are last in both rush and pass defense in the MVFC.
“It would be huge (to win the final game of my career),” Evans said. “There’s nothing like a locker room after a win.”
What’s at stake
A Saluki victory would send 20 seniors out on a winning note to cap their careers.
Quick hits
Murray, Ky. is 113 miles from Carbondale, according to Google maps. … Murray State previously played in the Ohio Valley Conference prior to joining the MVFC. The Racers were charter members of the OVC when the league formed in 1948. … SIU has won the last four meetings with Murray State, dating back to 2003. … The two schools have met once before at Saluki Stadium with SIU posting a 50-17 win in 2016. All-purpose back D.J. Davis returned the opening kickoff 98 yards for a touchdown in that game. Running back Justin Strong broke away for an 80-yard TD run on the first play from scrimmage.
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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