Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Football picked fourth in Gateway Conference preseason poll
07/24/2007 | 12:00:00 | Football
July 24, 2007
By Jeff Honza
www.SIUSalukis.com
ST. LOUIS, Mo. - Southern Illinois University was picked fourth in the Gateway Football Conference preseason poll, the league announced during its media day at the Renaissance Hotel Tuesday.
SIU, which made four-straight NCAA playoff appearances, garnered 127 points and one first-place tally in the annual poll conducted by league coaches, media and sports information directors.
"I don't pay too much attention to the preseason stuff," said Saluki head coach Jerry Kill. "We've had an outstanding spring and a good summer. I'm excited about what we've recruited."
Northern Iowa is tabbed this year's favorite after edging Illinois State and Youngstown State in the closest preseason vote in Gateway history.
The Panthers received 11 of 28 first-place votes and a total of 166 points. The Redbirds followed with 160 points and seven first-place nods.
Meanwhile, the two-time defending Gateway champion Penguins collected 159 points and nine first-place votes.
"This conference is tough," said Kill. "Preseason polls give you something to talk about. However, what you do during the season is what counts."
Western Illinois (82 points), Missouri State (55 points) and Indiana State (35 points) rounded out the balloting.
Individually, Brandin Jordan (LB), Craig Turner (DB, RS), Darren Marquez (OL), Andre Tillman (DL), Alan Turner (WR) and Shawn Smith (OL) earned preseason all-conference honors.
Jordan, who hails from Kenner, La., was the Gateway's Freshman-of-the-Year after leading SIU with 107 tackles last season.
Also an honorable mention and all-newcomer pick, he ended up with double-digit takedowns in seven of his 13 starts at linebacker.
A native of Boutte, La., Turner makes the preseason team as both a defensive back and return specialist.
One of the top return men in the country, Turner garnered first-team honors, broke the school's all-time career record in punt return yardage and ranked seventh in the nation in punt returns (14.9 ypr).
Defensively, he notched 58 tackles and led the team with eight pass breakups over 13 starts in the Saluki secondary.
Marquez, who is from New Orleans, La., was an honorable mention all-conference selection in 2006. He started all 13 games at left tackle as part of a veteran offensive line which led the Gateway in rushing (233.46 ypg) and scoring (34.46 ppg) offense.
Tillman, who hails from Thibodaux, La., took all-newcomer accolades after collecting 18 tackles, three sacks and five tackles for loss in 13 starts at defensive tackle.
A native of El Paso, Ill., A. Turner was the team's second-leading receiver with 22 catches for 411 yards and six touchdowns.
Smith, who is out of Hutchinson, Kan., was named to the league's all-newcomer team after making 12 starts as a redshirt-freshman last season.
A. Turner and Smith were named honorable mention.
2007 Gateway Preseason Poll
Team (first-place votes), Points
Northern Iowa (11), 166
Illinois State (7), 160
Youngstown State (9), 159
Southern Illinois (1), 127
Western Illinois, 82
Missouri State, 55
Indiana State, 35
