Chris Presto earned Missouri Valley Football Conference Defensive Player of the Week honors for his performance against regional rival Southeast Missouri. (Photo by SIUSalukis.com)
By Dan Verdun
Southern Illinois head coach Nick Hill spent time in Florida during his days playing in the Arena Football League. During that time, he developed relationships with a number of high school coaches in the Sunshine State.
One of those is Jack Daniels, who coached Saluki junior linebacker Chris Presto at Cardinal Newman High School in West Palm Beach.
“Honestly, we offered Chris based on Jack Daniels,” Hill said. “Whenever he gives his stamp of approval on whatever type of a kid you’re going to get, (that’s enough for me).”
Presto called Daniels an “amazing” coach with a number of college connections.
“He set me up with everyone he knew. He always put in a good word,” the 6-foot-2, 230-pound Presto said. “Fortunately, it led me here.”
When the No. 10/11 Salukis (3-1) open their Missouri Valley Football Conference schedule with a 6 p.m. Saturday kickoff against Indiana State (2-2) in Carbondale, a takeaway defense will be on full display.
SIU’s 1.75 turnover margin leads the conference and ranks fourth in FCS. The Salukis have gained a league-best 10 turnovers.
Presto has definitely played his part. In SIU’s 59-31 romp over regional rival Southeast Missouri, the linebacker earned MVFC Defensive Player of the Week honors with a 12-tackle, two-turnover performance.
Presto snagged an interception and also forced SEMO running back Payton Brown to fumble. Fellow linebacker Colin Bohanek grabbed the loose ball and returned it 55 yards.
Presto credits going against the Salukis’ high-powered offense each day in practice as improving his skills, especially in pass coverage.
“Going up against those guys every day provides a great opportunity for me,” he said. “I tell them all the time that covering them in practice makes it easier in the game.”
Hill noted that Presto made an impact as a true freshman based on his work ethic, maturity and leadership.
“He’s a joy to have,” Hill said, “and then there’s the talent that he has. He’s athletic, kind of a hybrid-type guy that can do a lot of different things. He’s played at a high level since he got here.”
This week’s opponent
Indiana State looks to snap a seven-game MVFC opener losing streak. The Sycamores last won their conference opener in 2016 with a 34-31 win against Illinois State, while winning their last league opener on the road in the 2015 season at Missouri State (56-28).
Indiana State is coached by Curt Mallory, in his ninth season leading the Sycamores.
Indiana State has wins over Division II McKendree and FCS regional rival Eastern Illinois. The Sycamores’ losses were at FBS Indiana and FCS No. 5 Montana.
Redshirt junior Keegan Patterson took over at quarterback when Elijah Owens was injured against EIU. Patterson can rely on top receiver and Springfield native Rashad Rochelle, who has 14 catches for 186 yards and two touchdowns.
Redshirt junior Nick Osho rushed for 134 yards and two touchdowns against Montana. Lawrence Plez leads Indiana State with 211 rushing yards.
Defensive back Kimal Clark and linebacker Braxton Sampson are the top Sycamore tackle leaders with 36 and 31, respectively.
Kickoff: 6 p.m. TV: ESPN-Plus; Radio: Cilfm.com.
Key matchup to watch
SIU defense vs. Indiana State run game
The Salukis want to force the Sycamores into a one-dimensional offensive game. Putting Indiana State into longer-yardage passing situations allows SIU greater opportunities to continue to gain turnovers.
What’s at stake
A Southern Illinois victory gives the Salukis three straight wins and a 1-0 start in the MVFC.
Quick hits
Southern Illinois moved into the Top 10 FCS rankings this week for the first time this season. The Salukis are No. 10 in the Stats Perform poll after being ranked 11th a week ago. Southern also moved up one spot in the American Football Coaches Association poll to No. 11. … SIU leads the all-time series with Indiana State, 30-29. The Sycamores’ 20-17 win last season in Terre Haute ended an ISU three-game losing streak at home to the Salukis. … The series is 6-4 in Indiana State’s favor over the last 10 contests dating back to the 2012 season. The Sycamores held a three-game winning streak over SIU from 2014-16, but SIU has rallied back in the series to win four of the last six games. … The Saluki offense is one of 10 FCS teams averaging more than 40 points per game. In addition, SIU leads the MVFC in third-down conversion percentage and red zone offense.
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.
Find us on social media!
Twitter: https://twitter.com/PSPigskin
Facebook: Prairie State Pigskin
Instagram: Prairiestatepigskin
Blue Sky: PSPigskin
Prairie State Pigskin 
Leave a comment