Colin Bohanek led Southern Illinois with 12 tackles in the season-opener at FBS Brigham Young University last year. (Photo by SIU Communications)
By Dan Verdun
Of course, Southern Illinois linebacker Colin Bohanek remembers the play on which he was hurt last season. After all, it resulted in a season-ending injury that required surgery less than two games into the fall.
“The (Austin Peay) running back was coming to me as I was getting off a block. We kind of hit helmet-to-helmet. His helmet went into my (right) arm and a lineman hit me from the side too. My arm got sandwiched,” Bohanek told Prairie State Pigskin.
Though he realized something wasn’t right almost immediately, Austin Peay was running a hurry-up offense.
“So I had to line up and play another down. I had no time to really think or run off the field,” Bohanek said.
He instinctively ran to the ball as it was snapped but knew “100 percent that something was up” and sprinted off the field as soon as the next play ended.
The injury turned out to be a torn bicep. It was not only a severe blow to the 6-foot, 227-pound senior linebacker; it was also a bitter loss for the SIU defense and locker room.
Bohanek’s misfortune served as a prelude to a series of injuries that decimated the Salukis. After making the FCS playoffs three of the previous four seasons, SIU stumbled to a 4-8 record. Southern won only two conference games.
Where things stand now
After graduating with a marketing degree in December, Bohanek is working on his MBA. As he finishes his post-surgery rehabilitation, Bohanek prepares for Thursday’s opening of SIU spring practice.
As a team captain, Bohanek played a key role in the Salukis’ 2023 playoff run. A starter in all 12 SIU games, he earned a spot on the Missouri Valley Football Conference All-Newcomer team after transferring to Carbondale from Eastern Illinois.
Expectations ran high for both the team and player last season. SIU began the season ranked No. 10 in the Stats Perform FCS poll. Bohanek, a Chicago Marist graduate, led the Salukis with 12 tackles in the Aug. 31 season opener at FBS Brigham Young University.
Then came the play that ended his season. Surgery followed 10 days later.
“It’s been a long recovery. I’ve never had an injury this serious before,” he said. “It was definitely a struggle at the start. Not being able to do simple tasks, especially having to use my left arm for a lot of things I use my right arm for, was a big adjustment.”
A learning experience
Forced to the sidelines with the injury, Bohanek took on a new role – a non-playing one.
“The biggest thing I learned was perspective,” he said. “I was basically another coach. I tried to help Coach Mac (McLeran) out with the linebackers and with the defense. During the games I was on the sidelines with a headset on. I heard everything from the coaches’ points of view.”
Yet, he remained a player, and a team captain, at heart.
“I was at that halfway place. I heard what the coaches were saying, but I was also talking with the players. I learned a lot more about the game in general. I definitely grew mentally, especially with mental toughness, as a player,” he said.
Final act
SIU practice runs through April 19 when the annual spring game takes place at Saluki Stadium.
Bohanek grasps that 2025 marks his final year of eligibility. Yet, he’s not overwhelmed by the thought.
“I wouldn’t say I have a sense of urgency,” he said. “It’s more that I’m trying to make every single day count. I have even more motivation this year than I even did last year. I’m trying to put my all into the game that I love.
“I’m thankful that I get another year.”
Bohanek has played in 42 collegiate games in his career, averaging nearly seven tackles per game. He wants to take his game even higher.
“I’m harping on all the little things like taking care of my body each day, making sure that I’m in the best position possible,” he said.
Bohanek also spends time with head trainer Mike Lyznicki along with strength and conditioning coach Meade Smith. Then there’s learning SIU’s new defensive scheme with Lee Pronschinske, who was promoted from safeties coach to defensive coordinator this offseason.
“The older you get, the more you realize time flies by. I want to make the most of it,” Bohanek said.
News & notes
Pronschinske took over as SIU defensive coordinator after Antonio James was dismissed in December. … In his postseason media address, Hill pointed out the depth in SIU’s linebacker corps. “We don’t lose a guy out of that room (from last fall),” he said. Bohanek added, “We definitely made a lot of great strides this past season. We had a lot of guys who didn’t have much starting experience, but now they have that under their belts. Now, we’re trying to elevate our game.” … Quarterback Hunter Simmons announced March 5 that he is entering the transfer portal as a graduate student. Simmons appeared in five games, passing for 852 yards and three touchdowns last fall. … To date, the Salukis’ fall schedule has yet to be finalized as SIU is still seeking an opening opponent.
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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