Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Football announces 2008 Schedule
02/19/2008 | 12:00:00 | Football
Feb. 19, 2008
By Jeff Honza
www.SIUSalukis.com
Click Here to View 2008 Schedule
CARBONDALE, Ill. - Southern Illinois University first-year head coach Dale Lennon announced the 2008 football schedule Tuesday. The 11-game schedule features six home games with one return trip from last season.
"I believe that our 2008 schedule will be one of the most challenging in the Football Championship Subdivision (formerly I-AA)," said Lennon. "The Gateway Conference is challenging enough, but when you add one Big Ten opponent and two more quality FCS opponents, the difficulty factor becomes very high."
SIU opens the season Sept. 6 when Hampton visits McAndrew Stadium for a 6 p.m. kickoff. The Salukis defeated the Pirates, 45-27, in the teams' first-ever meeting a year ago.
SIU heads to Football Bowl Subdivision (formerly I-A) and Big Ten Conference member Northwestern the following week.
The Salukis, who face the Wildcats for the first time Sept. 13, vie to become the first Gateway Conference school to upend a FBS opponent three consecutive years. SIU won on the road at Northern Illinois in 2007 and Indiana in 2006.
In 2008, the Gateway Conference expands to nine teams with the addition of North Dakota State and South Dakota State.
The Bison (10-1) and Jackrabbits (7-4) were Top-25 teams a year ago, ranking ninth and 19th in the final Sports Network FCS Poll, respectively.
"I know from past experiences that North Dakota State and South Dakota State will be contenders in their first year in the Gateway. Both programs will bring a very physical style of play into the league and have high expectations of success with their programs," said Lennon.
SIU opens conference play at home against Northern Iowa Sept. 27. SIU and UNI are scheduled to kick off at 6 p.m., to headline Family Weekend.
After that, the Salukis take to the road for three of their next four games, visiting North Dakota State (Oct. 4), Youngstown State (Oct. 18) and Missouri State (Oct. 25). The lone home game during that stretch is SIU's Homecoming tilt against Indiana State on Oct. 11 (1:30 p.m.).
Following its trip to Missouri State, SIU returns to Carbondale for three-straight games.
The Salukis first step out of league play to host the University of North Dakota, which begins its first year of re-classification to FCS. Lennon, who won 90 games, one National Championship and five North Central Conference titles in nine seasons at the UND helm, will coach against his former team for the first time Nov. 1.
"The University of North Dakota football program has a proud and rich football history," said Lennon."The emotions leading up to this game will be unique, but once the whistle blows, it will be business as usual. I do know, however, that without exception, every UND player, alumni and fan will have November 1 circled on their calendar."
SIU resumes league play against Western Illinois Nov. 8, where the Salukis and Leathernecks meet for the 55th time. The Dawgs close out the homestand when they take on South Dakota State Nov. 15.
SIU concludes its regular-season at Illinois State Nov. 22.
