Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Football Set To Clash With Western Kentucky
10/14/2004 | 12:00:00 | Football
Oct. 14, 2004
By Scott Mees
www.SIUSalukis.com
CARBONDALE, Ill. -The Southern Illinois University football team will get back to facing stiff competition when it hosts Western Kentucky Saturday at 6 p.m.
The No. 1 Salukis (5-1, 2-0) defeated the fourth-ranked Hilltoppers (4-1, 2-0) last season 28-24 when Brent Little scored a touchdown in the final minute.
"I hope that our fans are out in full force because we're really going to need them," said SIU quarterback Joel Sambursky. "We're going to need everything we can get to beat these guys."
Western Kentucky may give up about 350 yards per game on defense, but it allows just under 13 points a contest. The Hilltoppers obviously have a terrific red zone defense.
"Nobody is scoring points on those people," said SIU head coach Jerry Kill. "They are great on defense.
"They come up with big plays when they need to."
WKU employs a three-four defense, which includes only three linemen.
"Western Kentucky has a totally different defensive scheme than we've seen all year," Kill said. "We have a lot to pick up and learn this week because of what they do."
The Hilltoppers are coming off a 17-10 victory at Northern Iowa last week, and SIU trounced Youngstown State 37-2 on the road.
Inside linebacker Charles Thompson (6-1, 240) leads a stellar Hilltopper defense. The senior was added to the Buck Buchanan Award watch list this season, which honors the best defensive player in the country. The Sports Network ranked Thompson in the top ten in returning linebackers in Division I-AA.
Thompson leads the team in total tackles (50) and ILB Deonte Smith (43) is not far behind. Outside linebacker Brandon Smith (6-1, 220) has a pair of sacks to lead WKU, and he had nine last season.
"They have so much team speed," Kill said. "They're just a difficult ball club to handle."
Cornerback Antonio Thomas has picked off five passes this season in only five games. Three other Hilltoppers have two interceptions apiece.
Western Kentucky running back Lerron Moore is questionable for the game, but Kill said the Salukis are preparing as if he will play. Saluki special teams standout James Smith will likely miss the game due to injury.
WKU quarterback Justin Haddix is 47-of-83 passing for 812 yards. The sophomore has thrown three TD passes and two interceptions. Moore has 442 rushing yards and five touchdowns this season. The running back averages 6.2 yards per carry and 110 yards per game. Wide receiver Maurice Perkins has made 20 receptions - four times more than anyone else - for 401 yards.
Sambursky leads the SIU offense with a quarterback rating of 170.8. The junior is 65-of-105 passing for 1,095 yards with eight touchdowns. Brent Little has 18 catches for 341 yards and three TD receptions. Quorey Payne has 13 receptions for 380 yards and four TD.
Arkee Whitlock continues to lead the rushing attack for the Salukis. The sophomore has 82 carries for 501 yards and seven touchdowns. Brandon Jacobs has also reached the end zone seven times, and he has 316 yards. The Salukis average 484 yards of offense and 41 points per game.
Southern has scored 82 points in the second quarter this season, but Western Kentucky has only allowed three points in the second frame all year. Something will definitely have to give this weekend.
"This is a huge game, and it's going to be an extremely big challenge for us," Sambursky said. "Obviously, we're going to try to exploit the weaknesses of their defense, but they don't have many."
If Southern Illinois wins this game it will move Kill's record at the school to the .500 mark. Kill is currently 20-21 in his fourth season. The achievement is remarkable considering he was 5-18 after his first two years at SIU. The Salukis are third in I-AA in total offense and second in scoring defense.
WKU head coach David Elson is 13-5 in his second season for the Hilltoppers. Western is ranked third in the nation in scoring defense and first in turnover margin.
"They're a team that can match us speed-wise, and there's not many teams that can," Kill said.
As far as the Salukis being ranked first for over a month now, Sambursky said he does not think about it that often.
"Sometimes it dawns on me, but we know how to handle it more now," Sambursky said.
Temperatures will be in the low 50s and dropping Saturday night, with a small chance of rain.
SIU will be aiming for its 10th consecutive win at McAndrew Stadium. Western Kentucky has won four straight games since its season-opening loss at Kansas State.
"I think we both have very good football teams," Kill said. "It should be a tremendous game on Saturday."
Sambursky added, "There's a lot of reason to be excited about this game."
