Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Football to use preseason poll for motivation
07/25/2006 | 12:00:00 | Football
July 25, 2006
By Tom Weber
www.SIUSalukis.com
ST. LOUIS, Mo. - After winning three-straight Gateway Conference titles and more games than any league team in the last three years, you'd think Southern Illinois might get a bit more respect.
Or at least the benefit of the doubt.
Instead, the Salukis were picked to finish fourth in the annual, preseason poll of beat writers, radio announcers and head coaches.
If Jerry Kill was bothered by the snub, the Saluki head coach certainly didn't let it show Tuesday at the league's media day. In fact, Kill looked more relaxed than ever as he fielded questions about his team.
The fourth-place projection may be just what his young team needs, he said. Saluki running back Arkee Whitlock and safety Patrick Jordan attended the event with Kill, and both players were sporting their conference championship rings.
"Our players will have a chip on their shoulders to prove they can still get it done," Kill said. "The older ones remember what it was like to go 4-8 (in 2002), and they don't want to go back."
Noteworthy
One writer asked if Kill was worried about his quarterback situation, now that Joel Sambursky has graduated and taken his string of 49-straight starts with him.
Although Kill has not named junior Nick Hill as the team's starter, he clearly indicated that the lefthander has the lead heading into camp. Kill also said that Hill's top competitor for the job, JUCO transfer Justin Allen, was so impressive in the spring that the team will find a place for him to play, regardless of whether he overtakes Hill.
"Justin is talented enough that he can play tailback or wide receiver," Kill said. "He runs the 40 in the low 4.4. He is way too valuable to have standing next to me on the sidelines."
Where Allen plays may have as much to do with the status of quarterback Jon Cairns as anything. Cairns was a promising QB prospect until foot injuries slowed his progress in 2005. If he returns to form, Kill said he'd be even more comfortable trying Allen at different positions.
"You have to have depth at the quarterback position," Kill said. "I think we're in pretty good shape there."
Perhaps the biggest reason SIU was picked fourth is that it returns only two starters on defense. However, Kill sounded confident when he discussed the unit.
"I feel like the key to your defense at this level is having a good pass rush and good corners," he said. "I think we've identified the players we need at those positions."
Kill is excited about the return of cornerback Brandon Bruner, a talented coverage man who sat out the 2005 season. Defensive end Lorenzo Wims is an emerging talent, also, who led the team with 7.0 sacks a year ago, even though he didn't start.
Kill said the linebacker position is a concern, because the team lost eight of the 10 players in its playing rotation from last year.
When asked if the team will go back to a more run-oriented offense with the loss of Sambursky, Kill seemed to say, "not necessarily."
"Each year, we've become a more balanced offense," he said. "I think we'll be very similar with Nick at quarterback."
The Salukis begin training camp on Friday, August 4.
