Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Football Ready For Another Road Test
10/07/2004 | 12:00:00 | Football
Oct. 7, 2004
By Scott Mees
www.SIUSalukis.com
The Salukis (4-1, 1-0) will meet the Penguins (2-3, 0-1), who have averaged nearly 15,000 fans over their first three home games at Stambaugh Stadium.
"We're looking forward to going up there and giving it our best," said SIU head coach Jerry Kill. "As far as the fans, the more people in the stands the better we play."
Monquantae Gibson leads YSU in rushing and averages 122 yards per game. Quarterback Tom Zetts is 74-of-115 passing with four interceptions. Wide receiver Matt Rycraft has 23 receptions for 199 yards and two touchdowns.
For SIU, Arkee Whitlock continues to lead the Salukis in rushing. The sophomore averages 80 yards a game, but it is difficult to say who will get the bulk of the carries this week. Brandon Jacobs, Terry Jackson and freshman Craig Turner make it a crowded house in the Saluki backfield.
Western Kentucky beat
"I think their record might not indicate that they're a powerhouse," said SIU quarterback Joel Sambursky. "But every year we play them they are a great team."
The Salukis are coming off a thrilling 40-36 win over
"We had opportunities, as an offense, to kind of put them away, and we didn't," Sambursky said. "It was frustrating."
Kill has a great deal of respect for
"They've won national championships there," Kill said. "Their remembrances of us are to struggle for 20 years. Going up there, into that great tradition, that is what it's all about."
Kill added that SIU would like to develop a football program with the rich tradition that
"When I first came here, I said we want a program like that," Kill said. "We went one that's respected where people know we play hard. We kind of model ourselves after them a little bit."
Sambursky said SIU is ready and prepared for what could be a difficult test for the No. 1 Salukis.
"They have a great program, and they've been able to build something," Sambursky said. "We are definitely not taking them lightly with them being at home."
The Salukis certainly expect a rowdy audience in the stands on Saturday.
"That's why they call it home field advantage," Sambursky said. "It's going to be a big challenge for us."
