Four true freshmen to play this year

08/30/2010 | 12:00:00 | Football

Aug. 30, 2010

CARBONDALE, Ill. - Southern Illinois head coach Dale Lennon announced Monday that four true freshmen will play this season instead of redshirting for the Salukis.

Three of the four are on the defensive side of the ball, as safety Marc "Boo" Rodgers, cornerback Terrell Wilson and linebacker Taylon Hunter will all play this year.

Punter Austin Pucylowski is the last of the four out of the 22-man freshmen class.

Lennon also announced Monday that sophomore cornerback James McFadden will miss the entire season because of a knee injury. Back at SIU's media day in early August, Lennon said that junior safety Rashad Graham would be out for the year, also with a knee injury.

Southern Illinois opens up its 2010 season on Thursday, Sept. 2 at 7 p.m. against Quincy. The game will be the first-ever played in Saluki Stadium.