Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Football Prepares For Final Road Game
11/04/2004 | 12:00:00 | Football
Nov. 4, 2004
By Scott Mees
www.SIUSalukis.com
CARBONDALE, Ill. - The last team to go undefeated in Gateway Conference play was Illinois State University in 1999.
It just so happens that the top-ranked Southern Illinois University football team will travel to Normal Saturday to face the Redbirds and attempt to move one step closer to achieving a perfect conference mark this season.
The Salukis (5-0, 8-1) can clinch at least a share of the conference title with a win over ISU, and can win it outright if that scenario is coupled with a Western Kentucky loss at SMS.
SIU will earn the league's NCAA Division I-AA Tournament automatic berth with a win at ISU, or a WKU loss. The Salukis put up 66 points last week in a win over Western Illinois, and the Redbirds lost by a field goal, 24-21, at No. 5 Western Kentucky.
The team's practices have had cold and rainy weather for most of the week, but it should be sunny on Saturday in Normal.
"We tried to get out of practice earlier today and dodge some of the weather," said SIU head coach Jerry Kill. "But it didn't work out so well."
One piece of its dominant offensive line is still questionable for the game.
"Right now Elmer McDaniel is the biggest question mark we have," Kill said. "I think Elmer will be ready to play."
McDaniel was named to the Gateway All-Conference Second Team last season.
Illinois State is 2-3 in the conference this season and 4-4 overall. The Salukis have lost only one game on the road in their last two regular seasons.
"So far, on the road, we've had some success," Kill said. "Rarely can you go undefeated in the Gateway, so it's a big challenge for us."
Kill said he is primarily concerned with good playing conditions because the Salukis need decent footing for their skill players.
"We don't want to lose that speed, and hopefully we'll have that on Saturday," Kill said.
ISU defensive end Nate Johnson is fully aware that the nation's No. 1 team is coming to town.
"There's definitely a buzz around here this week," Nate Johnson said. "It's going to be very challenging, but very exciting."
Illinois State head coach Denver Johnson also weighed in on facing the Salukis.
"Without question, Southern Illinois is coming into town with a great football team," coach Johnson said. "They're probably the best football team I've ever seen in the Gateway.
"They don't have many deficiencies."
Kill added that ISU's players would likely be fired up because it's the team's final home game of the year.
Coach Johnson also expressed concern about facing the SIU defense, which remains second in the nation in fewest points allowed.
"They've got numbers that are leading the nation," coach Johnson said. "We're going to have to scratch and claw."
According to Kill, the key to victory will be not handing out gifts to the Redbirds in their own backyard.
"If we don't turn over the ball, and have dumb penalties then we'll be in great shape," Kill said.
The Gateway contest begins at 1:30 p.m. at Hancock Stadium.
