Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Football renews series with Eastern Illinois
07/17/2009 | 12:00:00 | Football
July 17, 2009
By Tom Weber
www.SIUSalukis
CARBONDALE, Ill. - Southern Illinois will renew its gridiron rivalry with Eastern Illinois, as the two schools have agreed to play games in 2011 and 2012. The Salukis will host the Panthers on Nov. 11, 2011, and play at Charleston on Aug. 30, 2012.
The Football Championship Subdivision teams have not met in a regular-season game since 2001, although they have met twice in the FCS playoffs, with SIU winning in 2005 and 2007. Overall, Southern holds a 38-25-1 advantage in the series that dates back to 1913.
"We're excited to renew the series with Eastern," said Saluki football coach Dale Lennon. "They are a formidable FCS program and a natural, in-state rival. It will be great for fans of both schools."
Only 160 miles separate the universities, and Lennon expects Saluki fans to make the trip to EIU in large numbers.
"This is a much more fan friendly game than trips to Southern Utah or Hampton," Lennon said, referring to some of the team's recent out-of-region non-conference road games.
SIU's non-conference schedule is now set through 2012. In 2010, Southern will host Quincy and SEMO, while traveling to Illinois. In 2011, the Salukis will play at Mississippi and SEMO, in addition to hosting Eastern. In 2012, SIU travels to EIU and Missouri and hosts SEMO.
