Southern Illinois cornerback Jeremiah McClendon grabbed his first interception of the season Saturday against Northern Iowa. (Photo by SIUSalukis.com)
By Barry Bottino
Jeremiah McClendon’s interception came at just the right time for the Southern Illinois defense Saturday.
With Northern Iowa driving inside the SIU 30, McClendon elevated to grab a Matthew Schecklman pass at the SIU 13-yard line and end UNI’s first-quarter scoring threat.
The play was part of an impressive first half for the Salukis and was the first pick for McClendon since Oct. 4, 2024, against Illinois State, a span of 15 games.
“Interceptions are great no matter when you do it,” McClendon said in a postgame interview. “After eight weeks (this season), it felt great to get one.”
Though Saturday marked his first interception, the game also showed McClendon’s impact on the Salukis, who ended a two-game losing streak and improved to 5-3 overall, 2-2 in the Missouri Valley Football Conference.
McClendon had a sack on a cornerback blitz, two pass breakups and five tackles.
“He filled the stat sheet,” SIU head coach Nick Hill said. “That guy is playing aggressive. It was an unbelievable play to drop (in coverage) and make the pick. Guys count on him and he’s doing a great job.”
McClendon leads the team and the MVFC is passes defended with 12 (11 pass breakups, one interception). He’s also among the top 15 nationally in that category.
“You want to go into your last year and just go out with a bang,” said McClendon, a senior from Florida. “The ultimate goal is to make it to the NFL. You have to perform week in and week out.”
The big team goal for the Salukis is making the FCS playoffs.
With four games remaining – including Saturday’s trip to Murray State (0-8, 0-4) – the Salukis could feel confident about a postseason berth by collecting eight wins. Nine wins would ease their minds even more.
The schedule includes three road games – Saturday at Murray, Nov. 8 at Youngstown State (5-3, 2-2) and the regular-season finale at Illinois State (5-3, 2-2) on Nov. 22.
The Salukis’ lone home game is Nov. 15 against South Dakota (5-4, 3-2).
“The whole team, we told each other after last week (a loss to North Dakota) that it’s do or die right here,” McClendon said. “Play every game like it’s the last game.”
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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