Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Football hosts Southwest Baptist Saturday at 6 p.m.
09/14/2009 | 12:00:00 | Football
Sept. 14, 2009
By Jason Clay
www.SIUSalukis.com
Click Here for Complete Game Notes 
CARBONDALE, Ill. - After a bye weekend early in the 2009 season, the eighth-ranked Southern Illinois Salukis (0-1) entertain the Southwest Baptist Bearcats (0-3), Saturday, Sept. 19 at 6 p.m. CT in the home opener of the final season at McAndrew Stadium... You can listen to all the action with "Voice of the Salukis" Mike Reis, color analyst Gene Green and sideline reporter Joel Sambursky with the Saluki Sports Network beginning at 5 p.m. on WVZA-FM 105.1 in Carbondale... Live stats as well as video and radio streaming of the game are available at www.SIUSalukis.com... Saturday's game marks the "Final Ride" at McAndrew Stadium with the sixth annual Hawgs and Dawgs event where bikers can receive a game ticket and much more for $20... After playing up to the FBS level in week one, the Salukis now face Division II Southwest Baptist, which is the first D-II school SIU has faced since playing Lock Haven in 2006. The Dawgs defeated the Bald Eagles 49-0 in that 2006 season-opener and it spurred a five-game winning streak... SIU has won its last seven home openers, with six of those seven coming in blowout fashion as the Salukis won those seven games by a staggering average of 49 points... Junior quarterback Chris Dieker led SIU in its season opener with 206 yards passing and four total touchdowns (two passing and two rushing)... Buchanan Award candidate Brandin Jordan had 12 tackles, a sack and a forced fumble against Marshall. He was named the Missouri Valley Football Conference Defensive Player of the Week on Sept. 6...
Note of the Week Much has been made of SIU's struggles in the third quarter, but its success in the first quarter has gone unnoticed. Since head coach Dale Lennon took over at the start of the 2008 season, Southern Illinois has outscored its opponent 107-23 in the first 15 minutes of games. Add in the second quarter and the Dawgs have a 247-101 advantage on the scoreboard going into halftime. The Salukis have scored first in 16 out of their last 17 games and have led at the half 10 of the last 13 games as well as holding opponents to 10 points or less in 10 of the last 13.
The Southwest Baptist Bearcats Southwest Baptist is one of 12 Division II independent schools and is located in Bolivar, Mo. The Bearcats enter Saturday's game with two more games under their Belts than the Salukis have, but are winless in three games. SBU has fallen at Central Missouri (39-28), vs. Northwest Missouri State (49-14) and lost last weekend at Harding in three overtimes (49-41). SBU and Harding combined for a whopping 216 plays last weekend, with 127 of them coming from Harding (three off of the all-time collegiate record). Southwest Baptist is giving up 45.7 points per game and just about 550 yards of total offense. Their secondary has been scorched for over 300 yards in all three games and have given up 10 passing TDs.
Offensively, SBU averages 490 yards per game and 355 of that has come through the air. Junior quarterback Steven Gachette has thrown for 1,065 yards in the three games with seven touchdowns and he completes 58.7 percent of his passes. Gachette is also the Bearcats leading rusher with 58.3 yards a game and two TDs. He spreads the ball out well in the passing game, as four different receivers have over 12 catches in their three games. Leading the receiving corps is Johnnie King with 18 receptions for 307 yards and three scores. Buck linebacker Jarred Schumpert, a senior, has 17 more tackles than any other Bearcat. He's record 6.5 tackles for a loss, two sacks, one interception and broken up two passes this year.
SIU vs. D-II and Below Southern Illinois has never faced Southwest Baptist University and this is the Dawgs first game against a Division II school since the 2006 season opener. That's when the Dawgs hammered Lock Haven, 49-0, and held the Bald Eagles to just 92 yards of total offense - the 10th fewest allowed in school history. In the last 10 seasons SIU has only faced three Division II schools - Lock Haven, St. Joseph's in 2003 and Kentucky Wesleyan in 2002. The Salukis beat St. Joseph's and Kentucky Wesleyan by the combined score of 153-0. Asides from the three D-II opponents, Southern Illinois has also played four games against NAIA schools and won all four. In 2007 and 2003 the Dawgs defeated Quincy (59-14 and 64-14), in 2005 they beat Union (Ky.) (82-7) and in 2004 SIU defeated William Penn (59-9). On the flip side of the coin, the Salukis have faced nine FBS opponents in the last 10 years, including the season opener at Marshall, where they compiled a 2-7 record.
Home Opener Saturday's game marks the home opener for the Salukis, but this is the last home opener in McAndrew Stadium as the Dawgs will christen a new stadium in 2010. In the last 50 years, the Salukis are 29-20-1, but currently sport a seven-game winning streak in home openers. In the last seven home openers, the Salukis have outscored their opponents 411-69 and have scored over 35 points in all seven games. SIU has a 191-158-6 all-time record playing in McAndrew Stadium and have gone 23-4 at home in the last four seasons.
With a Week's Rest Southern Illinois enjoyed a bye week after its Sept. 5 season opener at Marshall. The Salukis have won their last four games coming off a bye week, but all four of those were decided by seven points or less. In 2008 the Dawgs defeated Northern Iowa, 27-24, after their bye week thanks to a 42-yard field goal from kicker Kyle Dougherty as time expired. In 2007, SIU won at Western Illinois, 10-9 and in `06 the Salukis won by seven at Indiana. The 2005 game that came after a bye week was against Missouri State and SIU needed overtime to win, 30-23. In 2004 the Salukis played 11-straight weeks before the playoffs started and thus, had no conventional bye week even though they did have a week off before their first round game, which was a 35-31 loss to Eastern Washington. The last time SIU faced a Division II school before its bye week came in 2003, when the Dawgs hammered St. Joseph's College 75-0 at McAndrew Stadium.
Old Reliable Senior right tackle Shawn Smith has started in 39-consecutive games for the Salukis entering Saturday's game. Smith, who has played in all 40 games of his career, has been a part of three playoff teams including the 2007 Saluki team that went 12-2 and reached the Final Four of the FCS playoffs. SIU has gone 30-10 in his career. This season he made the move over from guard, where he played his first three years, to right tackle.
Iron Men Southern Illinois has three seniors on its roster who have played in all 40 games in their respective careers. Right tackle Shawn Smith, nose tackle Chris Arthurs and outside linebacker Chauncey Mixon (although his streak is coming to an end, read below). Inside linebacker Brandin Jordan, tight end Ryan Kernes and guard John Purdy have all played in 39 career games. Other Saluki seniors who have plenty of game experience include: Tony Colleti (38 games), Ryan Patton (38 games), Kyle Walker (35 games), Brandon Williams (35 games), and Marty Rodgers (33 games).
Jordan Moving Up on Record Lists Brandin Jordan's two tackles for a loss against Marshall gave him 30.0 in his career, which moved him up into a tie for seventh place with Andre Bailey who played from 1997-99. Jordan moved ahead of Bart Scott on the record list, as Scott recorded 28.0 tackles for a loss before going on to the NFL where he was selected to the 2006 Pro Bowl and is currently with the New York Jets. Jordan needs just three more total tackles for a loss to move all the way up into sole possession of fourth place.
Jordan's forced fumble in the first quarter of the season opener was the fourth of his career and that moves him into a tie for sixth place in Saluki history. Jordan finished with a game-high 12 tackles against Marshall, which was the 14th game in his career that he has registered double-digit tackles. He now has 297 career tackles and needs eight more to tie Rick Bielecki for 12th place on the SIU all-time tackles record list.
Wrecking Havoc SIU's defensive unit picked up right where they left off from the year before in the turnover department. The Salukis forced Marshall to turn the ball over two times and have now forced two or more turnovers in their last six games, dating back to last season of course. Southern Illinois has a 8-2 record under Lennon when they force at least two turnovers in a game, with the two losses occurring in the last two games (the other being the 2008 playoff loss to New Hampshire when they forced four turnovers).
Lindsey Picks Another After an all-American sophomore season, cornerback Korey Lindsey took a good first set to repeating the honors in the first game of the season. Lindsey picked off one pass, had a pass break-up and nine tackles against Marshall. His interception gave him eight for his career, which has him tied in 12th place for the most in program history. Lindsey's nine tackles in the game set a new career-high, as his previous best was the seven stops he recorded against Northern Iowa in his sophomore season of 2008.
Two-Minute Offense Down 31-21 with 3:35 left in the game at Marshall in the season opener, SIU's offense proved it can move the ball quickly under pressure. Junior quarterback Dieker and the Salukis inherited the ball on their own nine-yard line and proceeded to go 91 yards in 12 plays for a touchdown and it only took them 1:55 to score. Dieker had five plays in that drive that went for 10 yards or more - four were passes and one was a 19-yard scramble. The Saluki offense, which operates under a no-huddle system, had four touchdown drives in the game and all four of them took less than three minutes to cross the goal line.
First Four-TD Game Junior quarterback Chris Dieker registered his first career four-touchdown game in the season opener at Marshall. He threw for two scores and added two more with his legs. In his sophomore season, his first as the starting quarterback, Dieker had three different three-touchdown games, but never one with four. For his career, Dieker has thrown for 2,301 yards with 18 touchdowns and has completed 57.3 percent of his passes. He has five total rushing touchdowns and one receiving TD, giving him 24 touchdowns that he has accounted for in his career.
Dawgs Score in all Four Southern Illinois scored one touchdown in all four quarters of its season-opening game at Marshall. This marked the ninth time in the last three seasons and the third time since Lennon took over as head coach that SIU has scored in all four quarters. However, this was the first time since Oct. 20, 2007 that the Salukis have scored a touchdown in every quarter of the game. The one down side in this trend is that this most recent game against Marshall was the first time SIU has lost the game when the Dawgs have scored in every quarter.
SIU's Backfield Junior running back Richard White, who is listed atop the depth chart at running back, missed the season opener against Marshall with an injury. Senior Deji Karim stepped in to handle the bulk of the work and he finished the game with 16 rushes for 67 yards (4.2 yards per rush). Expect Karim and White to carry the load as they are replacing all-American Larry Warner, who rushed for 1,265 yards and 10 touchdowns last year.
Right off the Bat True freshman running back Steve Strother made his debut in a Saluki uniform against Marshall and showed flashed of his potential. He rushed the ball twice for eight yards and had three receptions for 25 yards. Late in the second quarter, Strother took a Dieker pass 17 yards down to the Marshall 2-yardline, setting up SIU's second score of the game.
Third Quarter Woes Like much of the 2008 season, the 2009 season looked the same as far as the third quarter goes. SIU was outscored 93-15 in the third quarters of `08 games and in the season opener the pitfall continued. Marshall outscored the Dawgs 21-7 in the third where they had the ball for 9:25 seconds of the period. Adding to the misery of the third was SIU's turnover on its own 40-yard line, five penalties that went for 45 yards and the Salukis had just four first downs in the quarter to the MU's 11.
Jordan and Ravanesi Named Players of the Week Senior inside linebacker Brandin Jordan and senior punter Scott Ravanesi were named the Missouri Valley Football Conference Defensive and Special Teams Players of the Week, respectively, for their play against Marshall in the season opener.
Jordan, who received the honor for the third time in his career, racked up a game-high 12 tackles with a sack and two tackles for a loss. He had a hand in forcing both Marshall turnovers in the game. Jordan forced the fumble on the Herd's second offensive drive of the game and on their first drive his quarterback hurry led to the interception by cornerback Korey Lindsey.
Ravanesi, who received his first career player of the week award, averaged 45.5 yards on is four punts with one being downed inside the 20-yard line. Ravanesi's long punt on the day went for 50 yards and SIU netted 41.5 yards on his punts.
This-N-That... Sophomore fullback John Goode scored his first career touchdown in the 31-28 loss at Marshall on a 4-yard pass from quarterback Chris Dieker... The Salukis registered 8.0 tackles for a loss against Marshall with two sacks... Southern Illinois' loss at Marshall in the season opener marked its first loss in the first game of the year since 2001 (had won seven straight) and it ended head coach Dale Lennon's personal streak of 11-stragith season-opening victories... Southern Illinois has scored in 99-consecutive games...
83-Striaght Southern Illinois once against appeared in the Top 20 of the Sports Network and/or FCS Coaches Polls, extending the Dawgs' streak to 83-straight weeks where they have been ranked there. That streak is the longest active streak in the Missouri Valley Football Conference and the second longest of all-time for the league. This week the Salukis were ranked No. 9 in the Sports Network Poll and appeared at No. 8 in the coaches poll.
Elite Company Southern Illinois entered the year as the 11th-winningest program in all of Division I (FBS and FCS) since 2003. The Salukis' 59 wins are the third most by a Football Subdivision School in that time period, trailing Montana (66) and Appalachian State (63).
Six-Straight Southern Illinois has been to the Football Championship Series playoffs in each of the last six seasons. That is the second longest active streak in the nation, behind Montana's long string of 16. In 2005 and 2006, the Salukis advanced to the Elite 8 and in 2007 SIU reached the final four. However, last season the Dawgs were bounced in the opening round of the playoffs at home by New Hampshire.
Catch The Dawgs on TV The Saluki football team will make four television appearances in 2009. The Oct. 3 game at Western Illinois will be part of the Missouri Valley Football Conference regional package and will air on FS Midwest and Fox College Sports. Mediacom Cable will televise three games - road contests at Northern Iowa (Oct. 17) and Indiana State (Oct. 31) plus the final home game at McAndrew Stadium when SIU hosts Missouri State (Nov. 14).
FCS Radio Game of the Week Southern Illinois will be featured twice this season nationally on the radio as part of the fourth annual FCS Game of the Week. The Oct. 3 game at Western Illinois and the Oct. 17 game at Northern Iowa were selected as part of the national 11-game schedule. Gino Communications and Broadcaster Marketing Services are the co-producers of the series. The FCS Game of the Week brings the best teams and players to football fans all over the U.S., from Bangor to Baton Rouge, from Lacrosse, Wis., to Largo, Fla., through the facilities of Clear Channel Communications' 50,000 watt all-sports station - The Homer - 1530 AM WCKY in Cincinnati and online at www.1530homer.com. It is one of only four 50,000 watt AM all-sports radio stations, reaching over one-half of the United States and Canada.
New Stadium Southern Illinois University is in the process of building a new football stadium, which will open in 2010. The horseshoe-shaped facility will have a seating capacity of 15,000 and include 1,080 prime chairback seats. The new stadium will be highlighted by a two-story press box that will feature 12 luxury suites and a 2,500-square foot VIP Club Room, along with traditional booths for coaches and TV/radio personnel.
Southern Illinois is just the 14th Division I university to build a new stadium since the turn of the century. Minnesota and Akron christened new stadiums this past weekend. SIU will be the first FCS school to open a stadium since 2005, which is when Elon University opened up its 8,020 seat Rhodes Stadium.
Lennon Live "Lennon Live" - the official radio show of Southern Illinois head coach Dale Lennon, is held Monday's from 6-7 p.m. at Buffalo Wild Wings in Carbondale. The show is hosted by SIU Hall of Fame broadcaster and "Voice of the Salukis" Mike Reis. You can listen on any of the Saluki Sports Network affiliates or on-line at www.SIUSalukis.com. Listener questions are welcome in person at BWW, as well as by phone by calling 1-800-345-2804 or locally at 618-993-4097. Questions can be e-mailed during the show and at any time to askcoach@shawneelink.net.
Hawgs and Dawgs The sixth-annual Hawgs and Dawgs event will be the last one at McAndrew Stadium. For $20, a cycle rider will receive a game ticket, food coupon, commemorative t-shirt and the opportunity to form the Harley Tunnel for the team before the game and will be able to ride his or her bike around the field at halftime. All bikes are welcome. For more information visit www.SIUSalukis.com.
