Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Football Game Notes vs. Kentucky Wesleyan
08/26/2002 | 12:00:00 | Football
Aug. 26, 2002
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Night Football Returns
Thursday's opener will mark the first night game at McAndrew Stadium since Oct. 20, 1973. The Salukis lost that game to Tampa, 25-23, and the lighting system became inoperable the following year.
Scouting the Panthers
Kentucky Wesleyan is an independent Division II school located in Owensboro, Ky. Last season, the Panthers finished 1-9 with their only win coming against Quincy in the second to last week of the season. Wesleyan played three Division IAA schools last year, losing to UT-Martin (54-14), Austin Peay (59-7) and Morehead State (34-3).
Dawg Bites
Southern Illinois is looking for its first win in a home opener since beating Murray State, 58-51, on Sept. 11, 1999...Thursday's game marks the earliest start to a season in SIU history...49 players on SIU's 94-man roster are either true or redshirt freshmen... Offensive lineman Andrew Wynn (6-4, 270, So.) injured a knee during training camp and is out for the season...He is expected to be replaced by Brian Akins (6-4, 295, So.).
Salukis Versus Division II
When Southern Illinois hosts Kentucky Wesleyan, it will play its first Division II opponent since beating Winston-Salem State on Sept. 21, 1996. Since joining the Division IAA ranks in 1983, the Salukis have played four Division II schools. Salukis Versus Division II Opponents 8/31/85 Lincoln W, 63-0 9/5/87 Delta State L, 16-24 9/11/93 Washburn W, 46-14 9/21/96 Winston-Salem W, 48-18
Koutsos Eyes Gateway Conference Rushing Record
Payton Award finalist Tom Koutsos (5-11, 220, Sr.) is already the school's career rushing leader with 3,531 yards. Now he has his sights set on the Gateway Conference mark. Koutsos is currently fourth all-time in Gateway history and needs 701 yards to break the record.
No Need For Redshirt?
Head coach Jerry Kill said the freshman class has been impressive thus far and singled out several players who may contribute this season. Kill said to keep an eye on LB Royal Whitaker (6-0, 225), LB Max Pierre (6-2, 230), CB Quorey Payne (5-10, 165), CB Jay Upthegrove (6-0, 190), WR Brent Little (6-0, 180), OL Will Justice (6-5, 290), TE Micah Turner (6-4, 250), DE Tony Garner (6-5, 215) and DE Adam Harrison (6-4, 235).
Preseason All-Conference
Koutsos and DB Alexis Moreland (6-1, 200, So.) were named Preseason All-Gateway in a poll of coaches, media and sports information directors. Moreland was second on the team in tackles last year and has stepped up as a team leader this fall, according to Kill.
Davidson Makes Switch
The conversion of Steron Davidson (5-7, 160) from wide receiver to cornerback is a success, Kill said. The senior defensive back switched to CB in the spring after playing receiver his first three years at SIU. He has unseated senior Derrick Corker at one of the corner positions. Offensively, Davidson has 36 career catches.
Williams, Beard Make Debut on D-Line
DE Lionel Williams (6-3, 265, So.) and DT Billy Beard (6-4, 270, So.) are eligible to play after sitting out last season to focus on academics. Williams was rated one of the top 100 prospects in the country during his senior year of high school and was heavily recruited by Illinois.
Quarterback Battle Continues
For the second year in a row, two quarterbacks are battling for the starting position, and both may see significant playing time, regardless of who starts. Last year, Syracuse transfer Madei Williams got the starting nod on opening night at Southeast Missouri State, but he eventually yielded to Kevin Kobe, who started five games in 2001. Although Kobe returns as a senior this season, he appears to be out of the mix as the starter in 2002. Instead, a pair of redshirt freshmen, Stanley Bryant (6-1, 190, Fr.) and Joel Sambursky (6-0, 185, Fr.), are vying for the starting job.
Quarterbacks Are Roomates
While the battle rages on the field, Bryant and Sambursky remain close friends off the field. The two are roomates and have been close since arriving at SIU last year.
Injury Update
DE Mario Ivy (ankle sprain), RB Muhammad Abdulqaadir (hamstring), DE Rodney Smith (hamstring) are questionable...WR Cipriano Montes (hamstring), WR Kellen Allen (hamstring), OT Andrew Wynn (knee) are out.
McAllister Back for 5th Year
The tight end position received a big boost when senior Ryan McAllister (6-3, 265, Sr.) was granted a fifth year of elibility by the NCAA last spring. In the third game of the 2001 season, McAllister suffered a season-ending knee injury. The injury did not require surgery, and McAllister has returned to full strength. In his career, he has 27 catches and one touchdown.
Schafer Looks to Impress Scouts
OT Brice Schafer (6-7, 290, Sr.) is considered one of the best pro prospects on the Saluki roster. Originally a walk-on, Schafer broke into the starting lineup as a junior and has maintained his quickness while adding 30 pounds since his freshman year.
Former Saluki in the NFL
A former Saluki from last year's team is battling for a roster spot in the NFL after signing a free agent contract. LB Bart Scott, a First Team All-Gateway Conference pick last year, appears to have won a spot with the Baltimore Ravens. He was their leading tackler after two exhibition games. WR Jon Pendergrass, who played safety at SIU, was released by the Seattle Seahawks on August 25.
BIG Man in the Middle
Inside linebacker Jeff Jones (6-1, 275, Fr.) may be one of the biggest linebackers in the country. At 275 pounds, he still has the quickness to chase down linebackers, as well as the power to inflict pain. The redshirt freshman began his career at SIU as a defensive lineman.
Salukis Add Five Transfers
Relying more on true freshmen, the Salukis have added just five transfers since last spring. The only one who has earned a starting assignment so far is WR Courtney Abbott (6-6, 205, Jr., Coffeyville CC). Three other transfers were expected to make major contributions but are injured: DE Mario Ivy (6-2, 255, Sr., Illinois), WR Cipriano Montes (6-4, 190, Jr., East L.A. College), and RB Muhammad Abdulqaadir (5-7, 190, Jr., Coffeyville CC). DE Lamont Potter (6-3, 250, Jr., Shasta JC) was added to the roster in August.
Abdulqaadir Debut on Hold
Sidelined by a hamstring injury, RB Muhammad Abdulqaadir anxiously awaits his first opportunity to play Division IAA football. A dominating performer at Coffeyville Community College, he was being recruited by Division I schools such as Washington State until he injured a knee in the seventh game last season. He missed the rest of the season and subsequently signed with SIU. Abdulqaadir saw limited action in the spring as he continued to rehabilitate his surgically repaired knee.
Robinson Moves to Fullback
Brandon Robinson (5-11, 205, Jr.) led the Salukis in yards per carry last season (5.9) and did it as the backup tailback to Koutsos. After rushing for 338 yards on 57 carries in 2001, Robinson will move to fullback this season and team with Koutsos to form a 1-2 backfield punch. Robinson transferred to SIU as a walk-on prior to the 2001 season after spending two years as a non-scholarship walk-on at Purdue.
Koutsos Record Update
Tom Koutsos holds every career rushing record at SIU except for rushing yards per carry.
Koutsos in the SIU Record Book
Career Rushing Yards 3,531 1st
Career Rushing Attempts 764 1st
Career Rushing Touchdowns 32 1st
Career 100-Yard Rushing Games 17 1st
Career Total Offense 3,531 7th
Career Total Offense Attemptts 764 5th
Career Points Scored 192 5th
Career Touchdowns 32 2nd
Everhart Nears Career FG Record
K Scott Everhart (6-1, 190, Sr.) needs just three field goals to become the school's career record holder.
SIU Field Goals in a Career
1. Ron Miller, 1983-86 32
1. Paul Molla, 1978-81 32
3. Ryan Given, 1992-95 31
3. Ken Seaman, 1973-76 31
5. Scott Everhart, 1999-Present 30
