Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Abdulqaadir Bounces Back From Injury
08/28/2003 | 12:00:00 | Football
Aug. 28, 2003
By Dave Siegal
www.SIUSalukis.com
After his breakout debut season with the Salukis was cut short by a wrist injury, Muhammad Abdulqaadir knew he had to make the best of a second chance in 2003.
The preseason experts for Division I-AA football named Abdulqaadir a leading candidate for the Payton Award, which goes to the best I-AA player.
With high expectations for himself and the team, Abdulqaadir, also known as Mo, couldn't wait for Thursday's opener against Quincy.
On his second carry of the game, Abdulqaadir burst untouched for a 59-yard touchdown. He also added two more TDs for a total of 142 yards in little more than half a game in the Salukis' waltz over Quincy, 64-14.
"I've played football long enough to know injuries are part of the game and football is about how well you recover from the problem," Abdulqaadir said. "Anyone who sits around and lingers about it all day is a bum."
"Coming out of high-school, my coaches always told me I'd fit better in a smaller program. The more I play in this division, the more I realize what they've been trying to say. He told me it would be better to be a big fish in a small pond than a small fish in a big pond."
The Salukis are glad Abdulqaadir took his coaches' advice.
