Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Football ranked No. 5 in TSN Preseason Top 25 Poll
08/16/2010 | 12:00:00 | Football
Aug. 16, 2010
By Jason Clay
SIUSalukis.com
The Sports Network/Fathead.com FCS Preseason Top 25 Poll
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PHILADELPHIA, Pa. - The Southern Illinois football team has been ranked No. 5 in The Sports Network/Fathead.com FCS Preseason Top 25 poll that was released Monday by The Sports Network.
The Salukis received one first-place vote and tallied 2,569 points in the first polling period of the 2010 season.
"The ranking is a compliment to our program and what we were able to accomplish last season," head coach Dale Lennon said. "It's exciting and fun for the fans as the anticipation for the season amplifies, but you can't put too much stock into it. We have to go out and earn it."
Defending FCS National Champion Villanova was voted first in the preseason poll after it gained 104 of the 126 first-place votes.
Montana, which has lost in the last two FCS championship games, was the No. 2 team in the poll and received nine first-place votes. The Grizzlies were followed by Appalachian State at No. 3 and William & Mary at No. 4.
William and Mary defeated the Salukis in the quarterfinals of the 2009 playoffs, ending SIU's season with an 11-2 record.
South Dakota State (No. 9) and Northern Iowa (No. 14) also represented the Missouri Valley Football Conference in The Sports Network/Fathead.com poll, while Illinois State, Indiana State, Missouri State, North Dakota State and Youngstown State all received at least one vote.
Nine starters return from last year and the Salukis were tabbed as the preseason favorites in the MVFC. SIU has a chance this year to capture its third-straight league title and sixth in eighth seasons.
Southern Illinois' first game comes on Thursday, Sept. 2 when the Salukis host Quincy in the inaugural game in Saluki Stadium. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.
