White Out Fuels Karim's Dream Season

Richard White has tallied 53 yards on 11 carries in the 2009 season.  He didn't even suit up for the Salukis' 30-10 win Saturday at Western Illinois.

But for the second straight season, there is a case for naming White the Salukis' most valuable member.

Last season, White was injured on a kick-off return in SIU's 37-31 season-opening win against the Hampton Pirates.  His injury opened the door for Larry Warner.  And to say Larry Lightning ran through it would be an understatement.  Warner went on to rush for what was then a career-high 151 yards and score two touchdowns -- including a 95-yard kick-off return in the win against Hampton.

And even when White returned, Warner became Dale Lennon's featured back.  Warner gained 1,265 yards on the ground to go along with 10 rushing TDs and three kick return touchdowns.  With White sidelined, Warner became a cult hero for the Dawg Pound as he was the team's leader and focal point throughout the 2008 season.

Fast forward to 2009 and White has found himself in street clothes once again.  This time it is Karim busting through the door en route to a stellar season with the Salukis. Through four games, in which SIU is 3-1, Karim has taken full advantage of the increased PT, notching 561 yards and five touchdown runs.  He opened Saturday's win at WIU with a 92-yard run on the team's first offensive play from scrimmage.  He went on to pick up 157 yards, averaging 9.7 yards per rush.

Like Warner, Karim has also shined in the special teams department.  Deji has averaged 42.6 yards per kickoff return -- including an 69-yard scamper that nearly went all the way on Saturday.

A rare back that combines power and speed, Karim is making good on a new lease on life at Southern.  While Warner shined in White's place, Karim also found himself on the sideline nursing a season-long injury sustained in spring ball.  It would be an injury that sidelined a player that scored eight rushing touchdowns the year before.  It would have been easy for Karim to risk his status and take off the redshirt.  But Lennon and the training staff was somehow able to convince Karim to tough it out and wait 'til next year.

And now that next year is here, Karim is living the dream as he is on pace for a 1,234-yard, 11 touchdown season.

It's too bad that for the second straight season, it is coming at White's expense.

HALFTIME UPDATE: SIU leads Missouri State 3-0

The SIU football team leads Missouri State 3-0 as the teams head into the locker rooms for halftime.

It's been a sluggish start for both squads, who have both been able to move the ball but have been unable to convert yards into touchdowns.

Saluki kicker Kyle Dougherty's 19-yard field goal with 42.3 seconds remaining in the second quarter.

SIU has four turnovers this half thanks to fumbles by Larry Warner, Richard White and Chris Dieker. Dieker has also thrown an interception on a tipped pass.

MSU is a second-half team, outscoring its opponents 62-38 after the half.

SIU isn't a second-half team, being outscored....I don't have those numbers in front of me but trust me. I've listened to each game and have been to all but one. Trust me, it's not pretty.

But, as I said earlier...that's why they don't play the games on paper.

Follow Me On Twitter!

Today I'll be tweeting for the SIU/Missouri State football game at the Plaster Sports Complex in Springfield, Mo.

P.S. There's a lot of maroon here as both teams rep the Maroon & White as school colors.

Check out the sidebar on the right side of the page for updates.

It's a beautiful day for football. It's a bright and sunny day high atop the Plaster Field press box and there isn't a cloud in the sky.

The Salukis (4-2, 3-1) will look to remain in first place in the Missouri Valley Football Conference with a win against the Bears (3-3, 2-1) this afternoon.

SIU is currently tied with Northern Iowa and Western Illinois atop the MVC standings with 3-1 marks, while MSU and South Dakota State sit in second with 2-1 records.

I expect a shootout this afternoon as this matchup features two of the highest scoring teams in the Valley. But that's why they play the games on the field.

Speaking of which, I'll hopefully be able to post a new video blog this afternoon if time and opportunity present itself.

Take care, folks. And don't forget to follow the sidebar for constant twitter updates.

SIU 33 YSU 0

Good win for the Dawgs this afternoon/evening in Youngstown, Ohio.

The defense was stifling as it shutout the Penguins for the first time in the history of the series.

More to come when I get back to Carbondale.

It's time to enjoy the "nightlife" that Youngstown has to offer.

I wish Maurice Clarett, Jim Tressel or Jerry Angelo could give me some advice.

Now where's my sweater vest?

Salukis win 33-0 at Youngstown [Daily Egyptian]

SIU leads Youngstown State 17-0 at the half

The SIU football team leads Youngstown State 17-0 at halftime.

The Salukis struck first with a quick three-play 67-yard drive which culminated in a 24-yard touchdown pass from starting quarterback Chris Dieker to back-up quarterback/wide receiver Chris Dieker.

SIU scored its second touchdown with 1:48 remaining in the first quarter when Ryan Patton intercepted Dailyn Campbell pass and returned it 52 yards for a touchdown.

The Penguins have been winning the field-position battle in the second half, but has been able to do nothing with it. YSU has been in scoring position twice, but was unable to put points on the board when kicker Brian Palmer missed a 38-yard field goal attempt and was then was stuffed on a 4th-and-less-than-a-yard rush.

Continue to check out the Twitter updates on the sidebar for continuous updates on this game.

Follow me on Twitter!

Today I'll be tweeting for the SIU/Youngstown State football game at Stambaugh Stadium in Youngstown, Ohio.

Check out the sidebar on the right side of the page for updates.

It's a beautiful day for football. It's a clear, sunny and crisp autumn day that any football fan can appreciate.

The Salukis (3-2, 2-1) will look to beat the Penguins (2-5, 1-2) in Youngstown for the first time since 2004 - and more importantly - look to keep at least a share of first place in the Missouri Valley Football Conference.

Daily Dosage: T.G.I.F.

Seriously, there isn't a better day than Friday.

Sure, Saturday's great and so is Sunday. But there is no day I look forward to more than Friday.

To celebrate what will hopefully be a Happy Friday, I bring you Tina Fey.

Yes. I've had a crush on the former SNL starlet in a geeky kind of way since forever.

It's the glasses.

Enough is enough.

It's time for the Dosage.

Rose 'terrible' in preseason opener. In a city that is known for gloom and doom, is it too early to panic over the Chicago Bulls selection of Derrick Rose as the No. 1 overall pick?

In a word, yes!

Rose scored 10 points in his professional debut, but the Bulls were downed by the Dallas Mavericks 110-102 as the Chicago native also turned the ball over six times.

It's too early to judge the Bulls because it is truly a difficult task to evaluate talent in the first exhibition game of the season.

With that said, I'm happy that the Bulls scored more than 100 points. That's a nice start, Vinny Del Negro. Now it's time to hold the opposition under 100.

[Chicago Tribune]

A Cuban-Economic Crisis. Gas prices are high ant tuition continues to rise, yet my concern about the economy is whether or not Mark Cuban is going to buy the Chicago Cubs.

Cuban, one of the finalists possibly in line to buy the team, said the United States' fledgling economy is slowing down the sale process of the Chicago Cubs.

Cubs fans have dreamed about a new owner for years, but since Sam Zell took over at Tribune Tower, the sale of the team has dragged.

The good news is that it looks like it will be business as usual this winter, according to Cuban.

''Nothing's going to change,'' Cuban said. ''They weren't asking everybody about whether they should opt in on Rich Harden. They're doing what they need to do."

Mark, if they ask you for some advice, tell 'em to give CC Sabathia a box of donuts and a blank check.

[Chicago Sun-Times]

Tree choppin' on the comeback trail. Looking for a rebound isn't an act reserved for members of the SIU basketball team. The Saluki football squad is looking to rebound from a difficult 35-27 loss at North Dakota State University, in which the Bison were able to erase a 20-0 deficit with 35 consecutive points.

Luckily for SIU, lowly Indiana State comes to Carbondale winless this season (0-5) and winless on the road since 2004.

I'm not taking the Sycamores for granted, because I know as well as anyone that any team can beat another on any given day. But the annual cellar dwellers might be just what the doctor ordered - a confidence boost.

[Daily Egyptian]

Quality Linkage:

• Guess who's gonna be at the NLCS? [*touch* 'em all]
• T.J. Simers isn't a fan of the Illa-delph. [L.A. Times]
• What's better than phone sex? Let a Playboy bunny explain. [The Big Lead]
• More gold for the great Michael Phelps. [Fan IQ]
• Great golf headlines. [With Leather]
• BONUS LINKAGE: Check out DUAN! for the greatest picture ever! [Deadspin]
  

Greetings, from McAndrew Stadium

Good evening and welcome to SIU football, live from Carbondale, Ill.

The Salukis enter today's rivalry match with the University of Northern Iowa coming off a bye-week following a 33-7 loss to Northwestern University.

SIU should be well-rested and healthy coming into a game in which the home team generally wins and then takes that momentum throughout the rest of the conference season.

Picks to click:

1. Chris Dieker, QB. Dieker was accurate with his short and long passes in SIU's opening night victory, and with very favorable weather conditions, should succeed against the Panthers' passing defense.
2. Larry Warner, RB. Warner is the beneficiary of the projected return of running back Richard White, who will be giving Warner a blow when necessary. A fresher Warner down the stretch could make SIU's running and short passing game a threat throughout.
3. Brandin Jordan, LB. He has been one of SIU's best linebackers to date, this season. I can see Jordan being one of the Salukis' most active defenders this evening.

Prediction:

SIU 27 UNI 23