Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Football Lands Top Seed In I-AA Playoffs
11/21/2004 | 12:00:00 | Football
Nov. 21, 2004
By Scott Mees
www.SIUSalukis.com
CARBONDALE, Ill. - It is official. The NCAA Division I-AA football playoffs are coming to McAndrew Stadium for as long as the Salukis remain in the field.
Players, coaches and fans of the Southern Illinois University football team roared into applause as the Salukis were announced as the tournament's top seed on the ESPNews selection show at the Student Center's Ballrooms on Sunday.
SIU will host Eastern Washington at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday at McAndrew Stadium. The Salukis will host all three potential playoff games in Carbondale - with the national championship contest to take place in Chattanooga, Tenn.
"This is what I call the icing on the cake," said SIU head coach Jerry Kill. "We're three quarters of the way up Mount Everest, and we want to get to the top.
"We did our job this year, and we did everything we could to bring a playoff game to Southern Illinois."
The Salukis wrapped up a regular season in which they won their second straight Gateway Conference title, and the atmosphere was lively on Sunday afternoon.
"Our kids have done a remarkable job," said SIU head coach Jerry Kill. "This is something that nobody can take away. We finished number one in the country in the polls, and we have the number one seed. You can't take that away."
SIU running back Brandon Jacobs added, "I feel good now that everything's known and out there. We got what we deserved, now we just have to prove to everyone that we deserved it."
There was a stark difference between last year's disappointing draw of facing Delaware on the road and the festive mood on Sunday. The Blue Hens handily defeated SIU and no one has forgotten that day.
"To be honest, I think that's helped our kids out a lot this year," Kill said. "I think it's helped them keep their focus, and they're not just settled in on being champs etcetera."
The Salukis proved that last year's incredible run was no fluke, and that mission has been accomplished.
"A lot of players and teams didn't think we could do this again," said SIU running back Arkee Whitlock. "We were out to prove that we're a good football team and get some respect."
Paul Wulff -- who is in his fifth year at the helm, coaches Eastern Washington.
Now, the difficult task of preparing -- in a just a few short days -- for a team that it knows little about.
"I believe in our coaching staff," said SIU safety Alexis Moreland. "They've done a great job getting us prepared for teams both this year and last year."
The Salukis have had high expectations placed on them all year long, and Moreland is just ready to get the show on the road.
"We weren't going to sneak up on anybody," Moreland said. "We had the number one on our back all year."
Despite rumors that SIU might be outbid for the potential third playoff game, SIU Athletic Director Paul Kowalczyk was informed that Southern will hold onto home field advantage as long as it keeps winning games.
Quarterback Erik Meyer, who has put up some gaudy numbers this season, leads the Eagles offensive attack. Meyer is 207-of-308 passing with 28 TD and seven interceptions. The EWU QB has a passer rating of 175.49 and averages 276 passing yards per game. The junior threw for 3,037 yards during the 2004 regular season.
"I know that quarterback is a great player, and I've heard a lot about him," Kill said. "They're all good when you get in the playoffs. There is no easy draw."
Wide receiver Eric Kimble caught 68 passes for 1,207 yards this season. Kimble scored 16 touchdowns as well.
"Our coaches are working on film exchange right now," Kill said. "They're getting things lined out for when I come over there. We'll probably have to pull an all-nighter to get through preparation for practice."
SIU has been ranked atop the polls most of the season, and this year's team put that ranking in perspective throughout the regular season. The football Salukis played consistently well every single week.
"I don't think there's any pressure on us," Jacobs said. "We just have to come out and play football like we're supposed to."
The only other Gateway Conference team to make the playoffs was Western Kentucky. The Hilltoppers travel to Sam Houston State for their opening-round game.
