Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Koutsos, Moreland named preseason all-conference; Salukis picked 8th
07/25/2002 | 12:00:00 | Football
July 25, 2002
ST. LOUIS, Mo. - Saluki running back Tom Koutsos and safety Alexis Moreland were named to the Gateway Conference Preseason Team, the league announced Thursday at its annual media day.
In a poll of coaches, media and sports information directors, Southern Illinois University was picked to finish last in the conference.
SIU is coming off a 1-10 season in 2001, including a 1-6 record in conference play. Head coach Jerry Kill said he believes this year's team has better talent than last year, but lacks experience.
"I'd rather be young and talented than old and slow," he said.
Koutsos, a senior, is SIU's career rushing leader with 3,531 yards. He has been a first-team, all-conference pick the last two years.
Moreland, a sophomore, started seven games last year as a true freshman and was finished second on the team in tackles. He was named to the 2001 all-newcomer team.
Northern Iowa was selected to win the Gateway Football Conference. Last year, they surprised some folks winning the league title and reaching the I-AA playoff semifinals, despite being picked fifth in the preseason poll.
Gateway Media Day Press Conference Audio
2002 Gateway Preseason Poll
Team (first-place votes) Points
Northern Iowa (24) 242
Youngstown State (5) 213
Western Kentucky (2) 191
Western Illinois 160
Southwest Missouri State (1) 132
Illinois State 91
Indiana State 68
Southern Illinois 55
2002 Gateway Preseason Team
OFFENSE
QB- Julian Reese, INS 6-3 205 Sr.
RB- Tom Koutsos, SIU 5-11 210 Sr.
RB- P.J. Mays, YSU 5-9 208 Sr.
WR- Mark Marcos, SMS 5-11 175 Sr.
WR- Vito Golson, ILS 6-3 197 Sr.
TE- Nathan Schurman, SMS 6-3 245 Jr.
OL- Buster Ashley, WKU 6-4 290 So.
OL- Eric Bowman, INS 6-3 295 Sr.
OL- Chris Price, WKU 6-0 290 Sr.
OL- Chad Setterstrom, UNI 6-3 303 Sr.
OL- Daniel Withrow, WKU 6-3 285 Jr.
PK- Mackenzie Hoambrecker, UNI 6-0 202 Sr.
DEFENSE
DL- Richard Harris, INS 6-3 270 Sr.
DL- Robert Hamre, UNI 6-4 295 Sr.
DL- Mike O'Brien, WIU 6-3 275 Jr.
DL- Patrick Reynolds, WKU 6-3 250 Sr.
LB- Sherrod Coates, WKU 6-2 225 Sr.
LB- Erik Dandy, WKU 6-0 205 Jr.
LB- Lee Russell, WIU 6-0 225 Jr.
DB- Carlos Banks, SMS 5-10 180 Jr.
DB- Dennis Butler, ILS 5-9 180 Sr.
DB- Terrance Miles, INS 5-8 165 Sr.
DB- Alexis Moreland, SIU 6-1 200 So.
DB- Daryl Warren, SMS 6-1 210 Jr.
P- Mike Scifres, WIU 6-2 230 Sr.
RS- Jerald Burley, YSU 5-10 170 Sr.
Honorable Mention (listed on at least 20% of the ballots):
QB Tom Petrie, Northern Iowa; RB Adam Benge, Northern Iowa; TE Ryan McAllister, Southern Illinois; OL Crockett Ladd, SMS; OL Ben Deike, Northern Iowa; DL Terrell Morgan, Northern Iowa; LB Boomer Grigsby, Illinois State; LB Jason McWilliams, Western Illinois; DB Ryle Irish, Western Illinois; DB Derrick Corker, Southern Illinois; SS Russell Stuvaints, Youngstown State
