Southern Illinoise University Athletics
2002 Football Schedule Announced, Salukis to Play Seven Home Games
02/28/2002 | 12:00:00 | Football
Feb. 28, 2002
Southern Illinois will play seven home football games in the 2002 season, taking advantage of an NCAA rule that allows schools to play 12 regular-season games this year.
"We're trying to create interest and get people excited about football at Southern Illinois," Saluki head coach Jerry Kill said. "It's tough to play on the road. The more home games you have, the better your chances are to win. And it helps us recruit locally."
The Salukis have two Division II schools on the slate for next year, the season opener against Kentucky Wesleyan on Aug. 31 and a Sept. 21 matchup with West Virginia Tech. The rest of the non-conference schedule features a home game with rival Southeast Missouri State and road trips to Murray State and Division I Eastern Michigan.
"We're taking a similar philosophy to what Youngstown State does in the way they've built their program," Kill said. "They play a bunch of home games and then schedule a Mid-American Conference team on the road."
Homecoming has been set for Oct. 5, when the Salukis host Western Illinois. Also in conference play, SIU hosts Northern Iowa, Indiana State and Western Kentucky, and travels to Illinois State, Southwest Missouri State and Youngstown State.
2002 Football Schedule
Aug. 31 KENTUCKY WESLEYAN
Sept. 7 SE MISSOURI STATE
Sept. 14 at Murray State
Sept. 21 WEST VIRGINIA TECH
Sept. 28 at Eastern Michigan
Oct. 5 WESTERN ILLINOIS (Homecoming)
Oct. 12 NORTHERN IOWA (Parent's Weekend)
Oct. 19 at Illinois State
Oct. 26 at Southwest Missouri State
Nov. 2 at Youngstown State
Nov. 9 INDIANA STATE
Nov. 16 WESTERN KENTUCKY
HOME GAMES IN ALL CAPS
