Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Selection Show Quotes
11/22/2009 | 12:00:00 | Football
Nov. 22, 2009
Head Coach Dale Lennon
"Number one, we are glad we're seeded. That's a good thing in itself. We were hoping for better, but right now we'll take that No. 3 seed and get ready for this game."
Being ranked No. 1, was it a surprise to see that No. 3 seeding?
"The committee makes the decision and they really don't go off what the polls say. They have their own formula to go off who will be the number one and number two seed. It's not a big surprise, little bit of a disappointment. We worked hard this season and thought we put together and good body of work. Right now we're just glad to know who we're playing."
"We're in game week. It's one of those things if you start feeling sorry for yourself for not having a higher seed, then I think you've got some issues. We're happy to be in the playoffs, we're happy to be playing Eastern Illinois. We can't wait to get started with the preparation. I think we're on track."
How does everything compare from last year to this season?
"Last year everything was brand new. Each week in itself was an exploration, where you didn't know what to expect a lot of times. We know what to expect with this group. They know each other and the foundation is there, so hopefully the experiences from last year can take the team further this year."
Do you think yesterday's performance had anything to do with the seeding?
"I don't think so. If they started getting into how points you won by, I can't control that. I think we could have won by 50 and it wouldn't have changed the outcome. We just do what we do and hopefully it's good enough."
It's no surprise that you're playing Eastern, any thoughts on them?
"They're a good team. We saw them play last Thursday, disappointing game for themselves but they have played a couple of teams in our league and played well against those teams. We just like playing a league team of a high caliber."
Deji Karim
Any initial thoughts on picking up that No. 3 seed?
"We have worked hard up to this point, so we are happy where we're at right now. We've had our backs against the wall since the beginning of the season, especially going in against Northern Iowa and South Dakota State. We've got our backs against the wall and we're ready to fight.
"We're going to take care of ourselves going into that game." "We sit down that week and prepare ourselves to get out there and play our best ball."
Kyle Walker
Initial thoughts about getting No. 3 seed?
"As long as we get a seed, it doesn't really matter. If you want to get to the National Championship you have to beat everyone you play, it doesn't matter if you play them home or away. We thought we'd probably be seeded higher. It's really frustrating, you feel like you don't really get as much respect as you deserve. But when you prove what you can do on the field, that's where you gain your respect. That's what we're going to go out and do."
