Junior linebacker Chris Presto (6) returns as one of the key defensive players for Southern Illinois this season. (Photo by SIUSalukis.com)
By Dan Verdun
That was then. This is now.
It’s a slogan that fits Southern Illinois football well as veteran head coach Nick Hill and his players push aside the disappointment of last year’s non-playoff fall into the promise of this season.
“This time of year is always exciting,” Hill said during Tuesday’s Missouri Valley Football Conference media day. “Last season was last season. Obviously, you’ve got to put together a new group and retaining players like this is super important especially in this era of college football.”
Two players that SIU retained are senior quarterback D.J. Williams and linebacker Chris Presto, who represented the Salukis at the league media event in Sioux Falls, S.D.
Williams returns from a season in which the Thornton Township graduate passed for 2,846 yards and 22 touchdowns. Williams, who began his career at Murray State, rushed for an SIU QB record 847 yards and 18 touchdowns.
Presto, a junior from Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., registered 59 tackles and grabbed two interceptions last season. He recorded a season-high 12 tackles in SIU’s rivalry win against Southeast Missouri.
“We’ve got a good team. We’ll go into the season confident and we’ll handle our business,” Hill said.
Like his head coach, Williams is ready for the competition of SIU’s 12-game schedule that opens Aug. 27 in the heat and humidity of Pensacola, Fla., against FCS rookie West Florida.
On Tuesday, Williams was named to the preseason Walter Payton Award Watch List.
“I’m a competitor, man,” Williams said. “If someone tells you he didn’t see the list or they don’t even care to know it, they’re probably lying. I’m going to tell you the truth. I see all the lists. I see every quarterback that people have in front of me. I’ve been that type of competitor.”
Williams finished eighth in last year’s Walter Payton Award balloting for the nation’s top FCS offensive player. He was third in the voting for MVFC Offensive Player of the Year.
Youngstown State quarterback Beau Brungard, who is also back this season, won both awards last fall.
“You’ve got to prove it. Beau proved last year that he was the best in the nation,” Williams said.
Williams and his teammates are out to prove they’re one of the best teams not only in the Missouri Valley but also playoff worthy this time around.
“I like the way the guys are maturing,” Williams said of his teammates. “Last year, I’d say that was one of the things we could improve on, the maturity of the team. Handling leads, handling the way we approached games.”
Again, that was then. This is now.
“I’m liking the maturity of the team,” Williams said. “(We’re) going through tough times during the offseason. Having a bond with those guys on and off the field. We’re jelling more and more. That’s the thing that’s going to take us over the top – having that relationship with one another.”
Presto shared a similar sentiment.
“The buy-in and the consistency from everyone on the team through winter workouts now to summer OTAs leading into training camp (has) everyone excited,” Presto said. “Keeping that excitement throughout all those phases, that’s one thing I’ve noticed about this year. The guys are energized. They’re bringing the energy every day. Even after the workouts.”
News and notes: SIU was picked sixth in the MVFC preseason poll that was released Tuesday . . . In addition to the opener at West Florida, which is moving to the FCS level from Division II this season, the Salukis will face Samford, Southeast Missouri State and FBS Illinois for their non-conference schedule. . . . Lindy’s College Football Preview magazine ranked SIU No. 24 nationally. . . . The Salukis play five of their first six games on the road, including the MVFC opener Sept. 26 at Murray State. . . . SIU has made three playoff appearances under Hill, who took over the program in 2016. The Salukis made the postseason field in the spring 2020 COVID-19 season, 2021 and 2023.
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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