Showing posts with label SIU Football. Show all posts
Showing posts with label SIU Football. Show all posts

Pigskin Pimpin On A Sunday Night: Bears, Salukis & Much More

Your favorite football feature that is chock-full of cheerleaders is back.

Pigskin Pimpin On A Sunday



Your weekly installment of football stuff and gratuitous cheerleader photos after the jump ... has been replaced for this week.

The Paul McIntosh Era For SIU Set To Begin Saturday At Indiana State


Paul McIntosh, your table is ready

I knew I had to write this post as soon as I received a text message early Sunday morning that claimed the Saluki football team's season dead on arrival upon hearing the news of Chris Dieker's injury, which was confirmed today..  As usual, yours truly has been asked to play the voice of reason.  Between the boo-hoo birds and the maroon kool-aid drinkers, here I am telling both parties to sit down, shut up and enjoy the rest of the show.  Because that's what you're going to get out of the rest of the Southern Illinois football season.

A show.

It's not as if the Salukis will be trotting out the collegiate equivalent of JaMarcus Russell every Saturday until the team hits Chattanooga.  Paul McIntosh is a damn good quarterback, and you'll see it soon enough. 

McIntosh, a redshirt freshman, will make his first career start Saturday against the Indiana State Sycamores.  Here's what you need to know about McIntosh before we make the trip to Larry Bird's old stomping grounds.
  • Was a 3-year varsity starter at the quarterback position.
  • Rushed for 1,600 yards and 34 scores in his high school career.
  • Threw for 2,400 yards and 22 touchdowns and only 5 picks in his senior year (4.4-to-1 TD/INT ratio) 
  • Led his team to a 15-0 record and state title as a senior.
  • Was Indiana's Mr. Football and Gatorade Player of the Year in 2007.
  • Other recipients of that award include none other than Rex Grossman
  • Unlike Grossman, McIntosh doesn't suck.
Alright Saluki fans, let's get this straight.  He's a winner (evidenced by the state title and 15-0 record).  He's not turnover prone (22 TD passes, 5 INTs as a senior).  He's versatile and mobile (34 rushing TDs).  He was an elite high school signal caller (Indiana's Mr. Football).  Name is not Rex Grossman.

Those are all signs that SIU isn't as completely screwed as you might think it would be.  Dale Lennon is still roaming the sidelines.  Deji Karim is still on the team, as well as offensive weapons such as Bryce Morris, Joe Allaria, Marc Cheatham and Ryan Kernes.  The defense hasn't left Carbondale either as Brandin Jordan, Korey Lindsey and Marty Rodgers still are alive and well.

And as scary as it might sound for the rest of the Missouri Valley Football Conference, the Salukis might be better off with McIntosh under center.  He led the team with 81 rushing yards on Saturday, and his nimble feet will send defensive coordinators scrambling to defend what was once a non-factor of Southern's offense.

Remember when New England Patriots fans thought their season was over when Drew Bledsoe went down and all the Pats had to fall back on was a former 6th round pick named Tom Brady?  Well, we saw how well that has worked out for everyone.

I expect similar results out of McIntosh.

Pigskin Pimpin On A Sunday



Your weekly installment of football stuff and gratuitous cheerleader photos after the jump.

SIU Wins ... Just Like Someone Predicted

I'm like Jimmy The Greek ... but I like black people.

Friday:




Today:

Um, yeah.  Did I call it or did I call it?

Southern Illinois > Northern Iowa: Book It!



Deji Karim is good.  Everyone knows that by now.  And quarterback Chris Dieker threw for 274 yards last week in a game fans and coaches have been waiting for him to have for a long time.  Chauncey Mixon returns for the Saluki defense after leaving Week 1's loss with a busted jaw.

I could bore you with numbers and drown you with plenty of logical reasons why the No. 5 Salukis of Southern Illinois Universiy will finally end their drought inside the UNI Dome on Saturday against Northern Iowa.

I won't.

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.

Pigskin Pimpin: Week 4




Football stuff and gratuitous cheerleader photos after the jump.

Pigskin Pimpin' On A Sunday




Ohhhh snap it's another edition of your favorite snarky and sarcastic football segment.  Catch it if you can ... after the jump.

Salukis Should Be Primed For Payback


Chris Dieker holds the keys to the Saluki offense.


Can anyone get a hold of Larry Warner before Saturday's game between the Southern Illinois Salukis and North Dakota State Bison?

SIU opened up a 20-0 lead in the Fargo Dome, but NDSU rallied to pick up a 35-27 win over the Salukis*.  It would be the only conference loss the Maroon & White would suffer in Dale Lennon's first season.

A lengthy winning streak began the next week against Indiana State and the good times rolled until SIU fell to New Hampshire in the playoffs.  So, what keyed the Salukis run to success?

A speech by Larry Warner.

In an interview during Indiana State game week, Lennon mentioned that the team's star running back had addressed the team after the loss in the locker room ... but would not expand on what he said.  I later approached Warner and asked him what he told his teammates and received the generic football speak of playing harder, increasing focus and flawless execution.

Warner was the most outspoken Saluki.  And at the tender of 22, I had seen enough press conferences and conducted enough interviews to know that Warner wouldn't tell me exactly what he said.  But the fact that he said something was enough.  SIU would go on to outscore its opponents 235-104 in the team's ensuing 7-game winning streak.

In those games, Larry Lightning accumulated 879 rushing yards and 7 rushing touchdowns.  It was clear that he was the heart and soul of the offense in the locker room and on the field.  And it is even clearer that his teammates responded to whatever he said that Saturday afternoon after what could have been a soul-crushing loss.

Hell, he still won't tell me and I've asked him about it every time I've seen him on a football field since.  I guess some things are better left unsaid.

For the 2009 Salukis to avenge last season's lone conference loss the following needs to happen.
  • Chris Dieker can't throw interceptions.
  • The running game must not only control the clock, but score as well.
  • Saluki defenders can't allow NDSU to score 21 unanswered points at any point in the game -- let alone the fourth quarter.
Burying a lead of my own, the biggest key might come after halftime.  For whatever reason, SIU comes out flat in the third quarter.  Lennon couldn't explain it last year.  Neither could the players.  After the team's 31-28 loss at Marshall, your favorite sports writer's favorite sports writer/blogger noted that his beloved alma mater allowed 21 points to the Thundering Herd in the third quarter.

That can't happen again.

That shouldn't happen again.

Hopefully, it doesn't happen again.

* If siuDE.com worked properly, I would have linked to the stories myself and BFeldt wrote.  Um, someone might wanna get on that...

Saluki Football: It's Deja Vu All Over Again

Saluki football fans have been down this road before.  They know where it leads, and quite frankly, would be very disappointed to follow that same track again.

SIU was outscored 21-7 in the third quarter of its 31-28 loss at Marshall on Saturday.  Sure, the game proved that (once again) the Salukis could compete with an FBS foe -- and probably could earn a bowl bid in the MAC.  But allowing 21 points in the third quarter isn't going to look good -- especially when FCS opponents get a hold of that game tape and figure out where they can exploit the Salukis.

Competitive against the next level is one thing.  But SIU needs to re-focus its efforts to its FCS opposition.  And a good starting point would be fixing its third-quarter deficiencies.

More later when the Maroon Kool-Aid shipment comes in.

Or not.

Saluki Football Fever: Catch It If You Can

Saluki Football Fever (better known as Maroon Fever) is sweeping the nation.  OK, well, it's not sweeping the entire nation just yet.  But the defending MVFC champs have Saluki Nation buzzing.

SIU returns nine defensive starters, and in last night's scrimmage, looked to be dominant again.  As good as Jerry Kill's defenses were, the switch to the 3-4 package has added roster flexibility while getting the most out of the talented athletes current head coach Dale Lennon has at his disposal.

And while the offense gets no love, and people are fearing the loss of Larry Warner with every snap that goes by, I'd like to be the voice of reason that says "Hey, what about Deji Karim?"

Sure, he missed the entire 2008 season because of injury, but it shouldn't diminish the fact that he led the team in rushing touchdowns with eight scores in 2007.  The highly touted, very talented and often injured Richard White is hurt (again) as the season starts -- sidelined with a turf toe injury.  Last year, White was hurt in the Salukis' opening game against Hampton.

His injury opened the door for Larry Warner to scamper for more than 1,000 yards and become the most electrifying rusher I saw in my five years at SIU -- and that includes seeing Brandon Jacobs my freshman year.

Will this year's injury lead to the showcase of Deji Karim?

Alright enough of my observation, here are some quotes I gathered:

Deji Karim, senior, running back: (On being back on the playing field): "I can't even express the words. I'm really looking forward to getting out there and just playing the game again. This scrimmage felt like a game to me because I haven't been in a game in about a year-and-a-half."

(On facing the vaunted Saluki defense: "That is the best defense in the country, by far, to me. We go up against them everyday and it makes the offense better as a whole."

(On how the offense can match said defense): "Limit mistakes and everything will take care of itself."

Brandin Jordan, linebacker, senior: (On the ultimate goal, winning a national title): "Every time we start the season, we've got that in mind. This year is the best chance we've got at it in the years that I've been here."

(On how the defense looks compared to last year): "We're looking real good right now. Last year at this time everybody was running around like a chicken with their head cut off, basically. But this time around, it's all recall.

(On how he envisions his senior year): "We're going out with a bang."

(On trying to be the first Saluki road team to beat UNI in a very, very long time): "Hopefully we can change history and re-write history.

Dale Lennon, head coach:  "Last year we were very elementary with what we were doing, and now we have a lot of variations and combinations we can use to be effective."

"We're ahead of where we were last year. But what I told the team is, 'We don't have any wins yet. Last year they had nine wins. We've just got to take it one week at a time."

Overall, I had a good return to McAndrew Stadium.  It was nice to see a lot of the people I worked with at the Daily Egyptian, along with SIU administrators and such.  I'd try to name you all, but then I'd forget one and feel really bad about it.  But you know who you are ... and I appreciate your support.



Homerism At Its Finest Part I: I'm Psyched About Saluki Football

When it comes to SIU Football, I'm so excited I can do a backflip. (Not really)

While the days of covering Saluki athletics like a blanket are behind me (for the most part) I will always keep a close eye on the alma mater. And there might not be a better year to do so than 2009.

Over the weekend, I ran into several current and former SIU athletes, prompting this Twitter post announcing my excitement. And while I understand that it is only July, I have good reason to believe things are on the upswing for Southern Illinois University.

FOOTBALL

I wonder what second-year head coach Dale Lennon and the football Salukis have up their sleeves for an encore. In his first year, Lennon was named the Missouri Valley Football Conference's coach of the year as SIU posted a 9-2 regular season record en route to a conference championship and the conference's automatic bid to the NCAA Playoffs.

Yes, a college football playoff system. Whodathunkit?

The Salukis return all but one starter from last season's defense. Everyone knows that. But what exactly does it mean for the team's success? How about everything.

The only departed starter is the ever-so-popular James Cloud, but SIU returns fellow linebackers Brandin Jordan, Ryan Patton and Chauncey Mixon. Nose tackles Chris Arthurs and Tony Colletti also return, meaning that six of the starting front seven returns. And that will lead to much havoc for opposing offensive lines.

The emergence of cornerback Korey Lindsey solidifies the secondary gives me hope that teams will struggle to move the ball through the air. After a strong sophomore season, few teams dared to throw to Brandon Williams' side, so they picked on Lindsey. Who, in turn, picked back with a few interceptions.

OFFENSE

The bad news is that junior quarterback Chris Dieker loses one of his top targets in wide out Damian Sherman. But the biggest concern is finding someone to replace Larry Warner's production out of th ebackfield and on special teams.

The good news is that Joe Allaria is progressing as more than a slot receiver and could be in the running in the return game. He will be joined by Marc Cheatham, Jeff Evans, who will hopefully be healthy, and Bryce Morris.

For those of you worried about who will be toting the rock, don't worry. SIU churns out running backs like Michael Jackson churned out No. 1 hits. It seems that every year, Saluki coaches, fans and beat writers have to ask who's going to be the top dawg in the backfield. And every year, several Salukis emerge to be productive backs.

Larry Warner is the latest in the line of great Saluki running backs. He followed the lead of John Randle, who came after Arkee Whitlock, who came after Brandon Jacobs. So, who will it be this year? Richard White and Deji Karim get first dibs on the tailback position, but don't be surprised if Anton Wilkins or Jonate Govan get a chance, as Lennon loves show off the team's depth.

SPECIAL TEAMS

Last we saw placekicker Kyle Dougherty, he missed a few crucial kicks in the team's playoff loss against New Hampshire. Consider that a fluke. Dougherty will come back strong, I'm sure. And expect punter Scott Ravanesi to rebound as well from his issues. Ravanesi had several punts blocked last year, including one in the playoff game. Lennon said SIU will re-work some punt protection schemes to prevent opponents pressuring the punter.

THE SCHEDULE

The Salukis start their season against Marshall, which will be a very winnable game against a Football Bowl Subdivision (formerly Division I-A) opponent. SIU returns home to face the sacrificial lamb game against Division II Southwest Baptist.

Then the fun starts.

The defending champs travel to Macomb, Ill., to face one in-state rival (Western Illinois) before coming home to face another in-state foe Illinois State, which will come into the match-up with a new coach and probably some new schemes.

It is very likely the conference champion will be decided in the UNI Dome when SIU travels to Northern Iowa on Oct. 17. That place has been a house of horrors for the Salukis, but Dale Lennon pounced on the Panthers in his only previous appearance at the Dome of Doom.

The match-up I look forward to most is the payback game against North Dakota State. The Salukis went up to the Fargo Dome and took an early lead before watching it all fall apart. After that loss, Larry Warner delivered the pep talk that would charge SIU into a conference champion.

And 'til this day, Warner still will not share the details of that speech. But if SIU needs it, I'm sure Larry Lightening won't mind repeating himself for his former teammates.

Stay tuned for Part II tomorrow, featuring how and why the SIU men's basketball team will win 20 games next year.


(Image Credit: Sean McGahan Exclusive)

Are You Ready For Saluki Football?

After 73 years, SIU football is (finally) getting a new home. But first, the Salukis must defend their Missouri Valley Football Conference championship in McAndrew Stadium's final year.

I'm sure I'll be divulging plenty of Saluki football memories, many of which came on Saturday afternoons after a long night of drinking studying with cute co-eds classmates.

Here's the video that's got me all fired up to re-live those days.

Year In Review: Saluki football strikes again

This trio covered SIU football like a jimmy hat!

[Ed. Note: This is the second in a series of stories that I found intriguing in 2008. This series will cover a storyline from the year that was from the perspective of the Cubs, White Sox, Bears, Bulls, Blackhawks and SIU football and men's basketball. This post details how the SIU football team didn't skip a beat despite numerous losses and changes. And why this picture, because these three gentlemen covered SIU football like a blanket. Not pictured Sean or Edyta and the many others who also helped cover Saluki football.]

There were more questions than answers coming into this season for the SIU football team.

How would first-year head coach Dale Lennon adapt from Division II to the Football Championship Subdivision, formerly Div. I-AA? How would the team react to a new coaching staff implementing new schemes, systems and terminology? Would the team be able to be competitive in the newly named Missouri Valley Football Conference with the addition North Dakota State and South Dakota State? Would they be able to replace the offensive production lost with the graduations of quarterback Nick Hill, running back John Randle and offensive lineman Darren Marquez?

The answer to each of those questions was a resounding yes!

And they did it with a first-year head coach and a first-year starting quarterback.

Saluki football didn't skip a beat despite losing a majority of its offensive weaponry and the head coach that brought the team from near extinction to a powerhouse in the FCS. When Jerry Kill left, no one expected the kind of season SIU had.

The Salukis posted a 9-3 record in 2008, culminating with a Missouri Valley Football Conference title and sixth straight playoff berth. SIU went 7-1 in the MVFC, as its only blemish was a 35-27 loss at North Dakota State in which the Bison came back from a 20-point deficit to pick up the win.

And while many teams would have packed it in after a devestating road loss such as that one, the Salukis didn't. Senior running back Larry Warner spoke to the team after the game and said his words to his teammates after the loss helped spring the successful squad that played thereafter.

SIU rattled off seven straight wins en route to the conference crown. There were blowouts, shutouts, "shootouts," nailbiters, walk-off winners and overtime thrillers. If anything, this might have been the most entertaining Saluki team since (dare I say?) Brandon Jacobs donned the maroon and white.

Offensive coordinator Phil Longo brought in a modified spread offense which took advantage of Warner's speed, Chris Dieker's arm strength and various receiving threats on the outside.

Dieker threw 16 touchdowns, ran three in and even caught one. Warner rushed for over 1,200 yards, scored 10 touchdowns via the ground and returned three(!) kickoffs for touchdowns. He was an all-purpose threat and a nice guy, on top of that.

Lennon put defensive coordinator Bubba Schweigart in charge of the 3-4 defense each has run their entire careers. And James Cloud, Ryan Patton, Brandin Jordan and Chauncey Mixon made the lives of opposing quarterbacks and running backs a living nightmare.

Even though SIU found success in its first year under a new regime, there were still isues. Like its pass defense and team struggles during the dreaded third quarter.

In the end, the Salukis fell to New Hampshire, 29-20, in the first-round of the playoffs.

2009 Outlook: It looks as if the arrow is pointing up for SIU as it returns many key members of the team including Dieker, wide receivers Marc Cheatham, Joe Allaria, Bryce Morris, tight end Ryan Kernes and running back Richard White.

The defense returns Mixon, Jordan and Patton from the linebacking crew, not to mention defensive backs Korey Lindsey, Brandon Williams and Mike McElroy.

There is no reason for SIU not to be competitive in the MVFC next year with the returning talent and another year of familiarity under Lennon's system. Replacing Warner, Cloud and stud offensive lineman Aaron Lockwood might prove to be difficult, but the Salukis have gone down that path before.

And have still found a way to succeed.

Saluki Football: A year in review under my watchful eye

Thanks to my position at the Daily Egyptian, I had the pleasure to watch the SIU football team's season unfold from the beginning.

The Salukis evolved from summer camp to conference champs under the direction of a first-year coach and were led by a first-year starting quarterback.

Here are my 10 favorite moments from the football season.

  1. When the curtain opened on the 2008-09 season, the efficiency of the offense was questioned after the defense dominated its August scrimmages. Yet, a 37-point effort led by first-year starting quarterback Chris Dieker put SIU on the map. He threw for 216 yards and three touchdowns as the Salukis silenced their critics. [Playmakers pace SIU past Pirates]
  2. I'll never forget Joe Allaria's conversion to a wide receiver because it was the first time I broke a story. I'll never forget it because after I witnessed Allaria running routes and catching passes from Dieker, I went into the newsroom and told my editor "Joe Allaria's catching passes, that's a big deal, right?" It immediately went to the blog. Eventually a story developed. Allaria developed into a pretty solid route runner and one of Dieker's go-to-guys in the flats, near the sidelines and over the middle. Allaria's versatility will be key to future Saluki squads. [Allaria a wide receiver?]
  3. My favorite stories revolved around a football team that shined three years before I was born. Writng about reuniting members of the 25th anniversary of the only national title the football program was so much fun. Head coach Rey Dempsey had so much to offer about football and life beyond the gridiron. I'd go on, but I don't want to leave anyone out. [1983 team honored for the past, witnesses future]
  4. While blowout wins provide many highlights, it was what was done under the radar that stood out to me. It was the Saluki super-subs who earned a gold star in the 60-7 rout of the Sycamores. Special teams standout Kyle Walker collected seven tackles, a sack and a return touchdown. Reserve running back Jonate Govan tallied 94 yards on 10 total touches, including a 20-yard rushing touchdown. The Salukis' depth was one of the factors that helped the team reach its ultimate goal of a conference title. [SIU subs help Salukis roll to 53-point victory]
  5. My first true football road trip (the game against Northwestern doesn't count) yielded the provided photo from Sean McGahan, who captured my love for cheerleaders with that picture. As for the game, it solved a lot of questions media folks like me had about the team. It was the team's first road win. It was probably the first time SIU played a complete game. It ws the first evidence of the team gelling, as it shutout Youngstown State, 33-0. [SIU pitches shutout for first road victory]
  6. It was the great escape. It was an act Houdini would have been proud of. If Eli Manning wasn't busy on Sunday's, he would have been jealous of Chris Dieker. Dieker eluded the grasp of two Missouri State defenders and heaved a pass downfield to an open Marc Cheatham to give the Salukis the win as time expired. [Last-second TD gives SIU 23-17 win at Missouri State]
  7. After hearing University of Michigan big wigs preach patience as Rich Rodgriuez puts forth his new system as the team struggles, I needed to take note that Lennon was putting together a new offense, a new defense and a whole new kind of lingo. Yet, no one made excuses, SIU just went out and played and Lennon just went out and coached. And really, that's all you can ask. [Coaching factory keeps SIU churning]
  8. Senior running back Larry Warner was a human highlight reel all on his own. He's great on the field, off the field and he's one heck of a quote. He racked up a career-best 256 rushing yards and two touchdowns in a 40-21 win against North Dakota, Lennon's former school. [Warner carries SIU to victory]
  9. This was the first game in which I left McAndrew Stadium thinking that SIU was a national title contender. The Saluki defense stifiled Herb Donaldson and Western Illinois' outstanding rushing attack. And then when they had to air it out, cornerback Korey Lindsey picked a pair or passes to seal the Saluki win. [Saluki defense denies Western Comeback]
  10. Saluki cornerback James Wheeler went from picked on by South Dakota State quarterback Ryan Berry to picking off Berry's last-minute attempt to pull off the upset at McAndrew Stadium. Wheeler was burned time-and-again by Berry and the high-flying air attack of the JackRabbits, but his last minute pick sealed another SIU win. [Timely turnovers give SIU victory]
That's just 10 moments that stood out in my mind. There are more. I'll hopefully get to them before this week is over. If not, I'll have to go deep into the archives and pull out some classics for ya.

Daily Dosage: Mmmm...Applegate

I'm not sure how I remember Christina Applegate, but I do.

She was Kelly from Married With Children, which was a great show. But she was also name dropped in PM Dawn's only hit "Set Adrift On Memory Bliss."

My memory's shot ... and that's not a good thing with Finals Week approaching.

Oh well, I guess I'm gonna have to get by on my looks.

SIU hoops host Saint Louis. The Salukis will look to get back on the 'D' and in the 'W' column tonight against the Billikens. The regional grudge match pits a pair of excellent coaches against one another as Chris Lowery squares off against Rick Majerus.

However, if SIU wants to get back to .500, it's going to have to play the kind of lockdown defense that Saluki fans are used to seeing. Read more about that at noon.

Young Salukis fighting through adversity. I could run this down and break down how the new guys have to adjust to a 40 minute game instead of the 32 minute games from high school. that would be easy. But you know what's easier? Having C-Lo explain it for me.

"They come in so highly acclaimed that they all think they can do what they did as high school seniors. The biggest thing for them to realize is that nobody cares about that," Lowery said. "For them to come in here to blend - and that's what they need to do - blend and help us be good instead of trying to stick out and be individuals."


Damning, but on point. Expect the Salukis to come out hungry and ferocious ... you know ... like dawgs!

Lennon earns Valley's Coach of the Year. Not bad for a team that implemented new systems on offense and defense, had a first-year quarterback to go along with its first year head coach. Yet, I am impressed with Dale Lennon, who deserves most of the kudos for the team's success this year.

Sure, he did it with Jerry Kill's players. But he did it with his system. He let Ryan Patton, James Cloud, Brandin Jordan and Chauncey Mixon shine in the 3-4 defense. He let Larry Warner break all sorts of records in the return game and helped ease Chris Dieker as a first year starter. You couldn't ask for more out of Lennon.

Quality Linkage:

A bitter pill to swallow for Salukis

It's not how I envisioned this season would finish. It's not how anyone envisioned the season to finish.

Unfortunately for the SIU football team, its 29-20 loss to the University of New Hampshire in the first round of the FCS Playoffs was a bitter pill to swallow, indeed.

It's not as if the Salukis were short of prime opportunities. They forced four turnovers including three interceptions of Wildcat quarterback R.J. Toman. However, SIU was only able to turn one of those turnovers into a touchdown. You could almost see it coming: the failure to make points out of turnovers was going to bite the Dawgs in the behind.

It did.

So did other missed opportunities, including two missed field goals by sophomore kicker Kyle Dougherty, who hit a career-long 52 yarder last week against Illinois State. Even though they weren't chip-shot kicks (both attempts were beyond 40 yards) it was a surprise to see the sure-footed Saluki kicker misfire twice in a row.

Dougherty's third quarter troubles weren't the only special teams let downs for SIU. The team allowed 199 yards in kickoff returns. Again, it came as a surprise to the keen eye of those who followed the team from day one.

Credit New Hampshire for creating lanes for its returners and containing its blocks down the field.

While the Saluki special teams struggled, the Wildcats excelled.

Kicker Tom Bishop banged through all five of his field goal attempts and when John Clements wasn't wrecking havoc and shredding the SIU special teams unit (3 for 143 yards) he picked up a blocked punt and returned it for a 26-yard touchdown.

Again, credit New Hampshire, which played well enough to win, despite only scoring one offensive touchdown.

As for the Salukis, a great run ended tonight at McAndrew Stadium. The season started with enough questions to drive any coach mad.

That's what made this season special. First-year head coach Dale Lennon turned question marks into certanties, making his hiring look like an absolute steal by athletic director Mario Moccia. Lennon took a team that lost a significant portion of its offense, including its quarterback and top tailback, and returned it to its rightful spot at the top of the Missouri Valley Football Conference standings.

While the goal always is to win a national title, it says a lot about Lennon, his staff and his players to win a conference title in the first year after implementing a new set of schemes and losing one of the school's all-time great coaches to it's upstate rival.

The future looks bright for SIU, especially after another offseason under Coach Lennon's tutilage.

But as of press time, it's Nov. 29, 2008. It's a long time 'til Spring Ball starts.

Until then, so long from McAndrew Stadium. It's been a heck of a ride.

Salukis lose 29-20 to New Hampshire [Daily Egyptian]

SIU trails New Hampshire 16-13 at halftime

The SIU football team trails New Hampshire 16-13 at halftime in the opening round of the FCS Playoffs.

The team's traded field goals early and often as Kyle Dougherty and Tom Bishop were true on their kicks through the games first 18 minutes. As the teams battled with the boot, they also battled turnovers.

There were turnovers on four straight possessions, including a never-before-seen interception by defensive lineman Kendrick Young, who caught a deflected pass (off the referee).

That led to the first touchdown of the game, a sneaker by quarterback Chris Dieker gave the Salukis a 13-6 lead with 4:28 remaining in the first half.

The Wildcats inched closer when Bishop banked another field goal to make it 13-9, and then took the lead on a run by quarterback R.J. Toman to give UNH a 16-13 lead that stood 'til halftime.

If SIU can complete another thrilling comeback, they might want to heed the following:
  • Win the turnover battle. SIU has picked two of Toman's passes, but has also been bitten by the turnover bug with two turnovers of its own. If the Salukis can continue to pressure Toman, the team might be able to capitalize on an errant pass.
  • Get Larry Lightning to strike. Warner's been productive on the ground, gaining 62 yards on 11 carries (5.6 yards per carry) but hasn't been able to gain many yards on slow developing plays. Quick hitters have been the Salukis' biggest gaining plays.
  • Somehow get the Shermanator to strike. Senior wideout Damian Sherman has been impressive this afternoon with 3 catches for 46 yards. It's too bad a statsheet couldn't give you a picture of a pair of Sherman's grabs. He's extended his body to extreme lengths to grab a pair of Dieker's high passes. If SIU can get in the end zone, look for a Dieker-to-Sherman connection on a jump ball.
That's it for now from The Mac in Carbondale. Stay tuned to the sidebar Twitter updates throughout the game. And of course, siuDE.com for a post-game wrap up.

Playoff Pigskin Preview Brief: SIU-New Hampshire

Well folks, we're about 20 minutes from beginning the logical way to determine a national champion in football.

That's right a playoff.

No, President-Elect Barack Obama didn't use his executive power to force the greedy FBS school presidents into a playoff. Instead, I'm talking about the FCS a.k.a. Division I-AA a.k.a. The Giant Slayers who start their 16-team playoffs today.

And of course, I'm LIVE! in Carobondale's McAndrew Stadium to cover the tilt between the SIU Salukis and the New Hampshire Wildcats. Both teams have alumni I hold near and dear to my heart. UNH proudly recognizes former Chicago Bears standout return specialist and cornerback Jerry Azumah, who starred as the Wildcats' feature running back.

Speaking of running backs, I'm sure a certain segment of the New York Giants' locker room has an eye on this game as running back Brandon Jacobs is a former Saluki star. And since he's injured, maybe he'll be able to park himself in front of a television (or Saluki All-Access) and check out his alma mater.

As for the game itself, it's a toss-up as both of these teams come highly ranked and winners of their respective conferences. UNH won their division in the Colonial Athletic Conference, while SIU won the inaugural Missouri Valley Football Conference title. It represents the team's first conference title since winning the Gateway in 2005.

The Wildcats possess a strong offensive unit that scored 36 points per game. They will be led by quarterback R.J. Toman who has scored 31 touchdowns (27 passing, 4 rushing). The Salukis' 3-4 defense will face a tough test.

As for SIU's offense, it has scored its fair share of points. The Salukis averaged 37.6 points in their home games.

So is it right to expect a shootout? Of course not. But everytime I call for one, it's a defensive struggle.

Prediction: 24-21 SIU in a nailbiter ... which really shouldn't surprise anyone associated or familiar with Saluki football.

Take care, and enjoy the game.
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