Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Football Picked to Win Gateway Conference Crown
07/27/2004 | 12:00:00 | Football
July 27, 2004
ST. LOUIS, Mo. - Southern Illinois University's Jerry Kill was the last head coach to leave football media day at the Renaissance Hotel in St. Louis Tuesday. Long after the others had departed, Kill was still patiently answering questions from media lined up to interview the 2003 Gateway Conference Coach of the Year.
It was an unusual experience for the fourth-year head coach, who admits he wasn't in high demand his first three appearances at the annual event.
But that's what happens when you're picked to win the conference title and expected to contend for a national championship.
For the first time in the 20-year history of the Gateway Conference, SIU was picked to win the league in the preseason poll of writers, coaches and sports information directors. Seven players were named to the preseason all-conference squad, including five from the defensive side of the ball.
"We were 1-10 just three years ago, so we've come a long way with our program," Kill said. "It's an honor to be picked number one, but most of that stuff is based on what you did a year ago, not what you're going to do this season."
Kill called the upcoming season "a critical year for us."
"We have to prove that we can win year-in and year-out. We haven't proved that yet. We had one good year," he said. "We certainly have the talent to do it, but team chemistry and breaks...that's why we play the games on Saturday."
Preseason all-conference picks quarterback Joel Sambursky and safety Alexis Moreland also participated in media day, and Kill was quick to point out that their experience and leadership are keys to the team's success.
"It's such a competitive conference, and you have to be able to win close games," Kill said. "We were fortunate to win several close games last year, and a lot of that had to do with Joel Sambursky. And Alexis is like the quarterback for our defense."
Anticipation is growing about the debut of two Division I-A transfers, running backs Brandon Jacobs (Auburn) and Terry Jackson (Minnesota), but Kill pointed out the value of a veteran offensive line in front of them.
"The most important thing is that you win up front, and we have four of our five starters on the offensive line coming back and both tight ends," Kill said. "Our biggest challenge on offense is going to be to solidify our backfield and utilize the talent that we have."
Kill said he's equally optimistic about the defense.
"We have pretty much our whole defense back, except for Eric Egan," Kill said. "They're a year older and stronger, and hopefully a year smarter."
2004 Preseason Poll
Team (First Place Votes) Points
Southern Illinois (25) 244
UNI (6) 212
Western Kentucky (1) 186
Western Illinois 174
Illinois State 110
Youngstown State 102
SMS 81
Indiana State 43
2004 Gateway Preseason Team
QB- Joel Sambursky, SIU, Jr.
RB- Terrance Freeney, UNI, Jr.
RB- Travis Glasford, WIU, Jr.
FB- Mike Larson, ILS, Sr.
WR- Reggie Gray, WIU, Jr.
WR- Steven Rush, SMS, Sr.
TE- Mike Roberts, YSU, Sr.
OL- Buster Ashley, WKU, Sr.
OL- Stafford Davis, ILS, Jr.
OL- Fred Layne, WIU, Sr.
OL- Elmer McDaniel, SIU, Sr.
OL- Stuart Williams, INS, Sr.
PK- Stephen Carroll, ILS, Sr.
DL- Billy Beard, SIU, Sr.
DL- Linton Brown, SIU, Jr.
DL- Kyle Mitchell, INS, Jr.
DL- Steve Watson, SMS, Sr.
LB- Boomer Grigsby, ILS, Sr.
LB- Brandon Smith, WKU, Jr.
LB- Charles Thompson, WKU, Sr.
LB- Royal Whitaker, SIU, Jr.
DB- Mike Bracken, YSU, Sr.
DB- Dre Dokes, UNI, So.
DB- Frank Johnson, SIU, Jr.
DB- Alexis Moreland, SIU, Sr.
P- Brian Claybourn, WKU 6-1, Sr.
RS- James Norris, WIU, Sr.
Honorable Mention: QB Tom Petrie, UNI; RB Lerron Moore, WKU; RB Cody Pratt, SMS; FB Matt Yellin, WIU; WR Brent Little, SIU; WR James Norris, WIU; TE Andy Thorn, UNI; OL Jeremy Melville, ILS; OL Brad Durham, SMS; OL Mike Stegeman, ILS; PK Brian Wingert, UNI; PK Nick Terracina, YSU; PK Justin Langan, WIU; DL Kevin Stensrud, UNI; DL Charlie Phillips, WKU; LB Kevin Sears, SMS; DB Antwan Oliver, ILS; DB Torre Endsley, SMS; P Ryan Hoffman, ILS; RS Steven Rush, SMS.
