Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Football shows off new identity in annual Spring Game
04/17/2010 | 12:00:00 | Football
April 17, 2010
By Tom Weber
www.SIUSalukis.com
CARBONDALE, Ill. - With the loss of eight starters on defense and six more on offense, the Saluki football team entered the spring season searching for a new identity.
If Saturday's annual Spring Game is any indication, the team will be built around the powerful passing arm of senior quarterback Chris Dieker and a young but hungry defense that has speed to burn.
Dieker played only two series for the offense, but he completed 10-of-16 passes for 88 yards, including touchdown strikes to Joe Allaria of four and six yards. His crisp passing and ability to move the offense have been consistent in scrimmages throughout the spring.
Dieker was 6-1 as a starter last season before a separated shoulder knocked him out of the lineup.
"Chris is our number one quarterback," Lennon acknowledged after the game. "We said that coming in, and he's established himself as a good leader."
The only reason Dieker wasn't automatically named the starter for the 2010 season was because sophomore Paul McIntosh was so dynamic in relief of Dieker last fall, posting a 5-1 mark, while completing 67 percent of his passes.
"With the new offensive schemes that we're looking at, it was important to give Paul that opportunity to show (offensive coordinator) Coach (Kalen) DeBoer what he can do," Lennon said.
There was little, if any, dropoff with McIntosh leading the offense today. He completed 4-of-8 passes for 88 yards and was the game's leading rusher with 39 yards on five carries. While Dieker wore a yellow jersey that prevented the defense from hitting him, McIntosh was a live target.
"I wanted to take the yellow jersey off and let him play," Lennon explained. "That's where he's a very talented player, capable of moving this offense."
One of McIntosh's drives nearly ended with a touchdown, except that running back Steve Strother lost possession of the football as he reached for the end zone. It rolled out of bounds as a touchback for the defense. It was Strother's only mistake of the scrimmage, as he led all running backs with 28 yards on six carries.
The Salukis used five, different quarterbacks in the game, and reserves Kory Faulkner and Taylor Beasley were both 4-of-6 passing. SIU's trio of senior wide receivers had a productive day, with Matt Guinn catching seven passes, while Jeff Evans adding five and Allaria four.
"We have three seniors with a lot of game experience," Lennon said. "That's one of our more veteran spots on the team, so we need them to be a factor in our offense."
Defensively, the Salukis used a heavy rotation that allowed 24 different defenders to record tackles. Safety E.J. Clark led the unit with six solo tackles. Safety Mike McElroy had four tackles and the only interception of the day, picking off a Dieker sideline route. Nose tackles Kayon Swanson and Derrick Nsubuga both registered sacks.
Southern must replace all four of its starting linebackers, and Lennon said two individuals emerged as big-time playmakers in SIU's 3-4 defense.
"Stephen Franklin and Connor James had great springs," he said. "They're ready to play. Connor can play outside or inside, and he really gives us that flexibility."
Lennon also praised the play of veteran linebackers Joe Okon, Jayson DiManche, Travis Littles and Robert Spann, saying, "I think we have a good corps of linebackers that are ready to contribute."
A crowd of approximately 500 fans needed a roster sheet to keep track of the frequent substitutions in the game, as Lennon and his staff made sure every player had an opportunity.
"When you watch a spring game, it's not always the prettiest thing, but you're trying to find out some things about your team," he said. "You want to make sure you give everybody a chance to compete and show what they're capable of doing. It all factors into deciding who are the 90 players we're going to bring back next fall. Every player is being evaluated. We've already been working on next year's depth charts."
Last year's team won 11 games and a Missouri Valley Football Conference championship, and Lennon said he already sees some similarities and differences between the teams.
"One of our goals coming in was to find our identity," he explained. "This team may be a little quieter, but we're going to have a quiet confidence that we take into the games, and I like that. Hopefully, we can keep developing good solid leadership, do the little things right, and the big things will follow."
