Football opens fall camp with media day and first practice

Aug. 6, 2010

By Jason Clay and Adam Longueville
www.SIUSalukis.com

Saluki football players ecstatic about new facilities - Article by Tom Weber

CARBONDALE, Ill. - The Southern Illinois football team held its annual media day Friday before taking the field for its first practice of the 2010 season.

The Salukis unveiled their new locker rooms to the media Friday afternoon for media day. Head coach Dale Lennon, defensive coordinator Bubba Schweigert, offensive coordinator Kalen DeBoer and several players talked to the media about the upcoming season.

Later in the day Southern Illinois came together for the first time in its new playing facility, holding a two-hour practice inside Saluki Stadium.

SIU donned just helmets for its first practice of the fall, as part of the NCAA-mandated five-day acclimation period. The Salukis will practice Saturday in helmets once again and go in shoulder pads and helmets on Sunday morning.

Media Day Quotes

Head coach Dale Lennon
On opening up fall camp
"It's an exciting time to be a part of this program. Part of the challenge with pre-fall is keeping the focus on preparation. It's great that we have the new facilities, it's definitely going to make a difference. At the same time, we need to make sure that we keep the old-fashioned preparation and do the things that have allowed us to be successful through the years."

On his team
"I'm excited about this football team. It's a team that has a lot of potential. I think that one of our challenges is to realize our potential of this program. We're definitely not there right now, even with the preseason polls and accolades that are coming out right now that aren't earned. We are not getting too involved with that. We're going to have some young players that will have to step up and perform for us."

On bringing along the younger players
"That will be another one of our challenges, how fast we can bring our young players into the mix and make sure they're solid contributors in the program. I do like the fact that we have experienced players at key positions, and that makes a difference with your offense and defense. We do have a good mix of experienced players countered with our young players, and hopefully that will help our growth process that we need to have in the pre-fall."

On the schedule
"With the schedule, things I like are that we're getting our three non-conference games in the beginning. Last two years, we've had a non-conference game mixed in the schedule somewhere. For myself, I look at those games as a preparation for conference play. We'll coach each game the same way, but it's nice to have the non-conference schedule the way it is. And once we hit the conference schedule, it's going to be challenging. Our first two conference games are on the road against teams that are highly improved from last year. We go to Youngstown first, then Illinois State, so we need to be at a high level right out of the gate. That's one of the challenges, winning on the road in the conference right from the get go, which is a tough task to ask. But I do like our home schedule, we've got some key matchups at home. But a big thing for us will be having success on the road early."

Offensive coordinator Kalen DeBoer
Thoughts on entering his first year at SIU
"First of all, I'm extremely happy to be here. How could you not be in a beautiful place like this? It wasn't up when I came to visit, you could kind of see what was going to develop with the stadium and the facilities, and it's really is amazing. It's an exciting time. Fitting in with the coaches has been a blast for me the last few months. I couldn't have expected it to go any better. But working with Coach Lennon, and understanding his philosophy, each and every day a little bit better."

Junior center Bryan Boemer
Thoughts on beginning fall camp
"I'm very excited. This summer, it was hot. We were out there running around every day and it's nice to keep the pads off for a while, but now we're all ready to put them back on and I'm really looking forward to putting the pads on and playing football again."

How important will fall camp be for the offensive line to build chemistry together?
"It's huge. We've got two guys returning on the offensive line, so we've got some holes to fill there and we've got be able to play with them at the same time."

Junior defensive end Chance Coda
After a solid year last season, how can the defensive line improve this year?
"I think we'd like to improve on getting after the QB. That's going to really put a hurt on their offensive drives if we get to him. It's going to be hard for them to put drives down the field."

Being a two-year starter, what are you looking for out of your junior year?
"I feel like I should make some big plays this season, but I know I've got to take it day-in and day-out. Things will fall into place."

Senior linebacker Stephen Franklin
On being the go-to guy at linebacker and taking on a leadership role
"I'm very excited about it. It's one of those things you dream of as a kid. I feel like we've got the guys to instill the work ethic and know how to win, I think it's going to be good. I'm excited about it."

Overall thoughts on the linebacker unit
"I feel great about them, there's no lack of talent. It will just be getting the young guys around the learning curve, and getting us to gel together as a unit. I think we're going to be fine as a group and a defense."

Senior kicker Kyle Dougherty
Thoughts entering your senior season
"As a personal thing, my goal since I've been here is to break all the records. Those are still the same. The team always comes first, but I feel like if I'm being successful the team will be as well. Any way, shape or form, as long as we're successful there will be a positive that comes out of it."

You're two field goals away from setting a new school record, how good would that feel?
"It will be awesome. Whenever it comes, it comes. I know I need 103 points for a NCAA record. I need 66 points for the conference record, I need 11 field goals for the conference record, I know them all."

Senior safety Mike McElroy
On summer workouts
"I think it was the most guys we've ever had in this summer. That really helps with our team chemistry and that bonding and getting to go know guys. We had a good offseason with conditioning and weights, so i think we're ready to go for camp."

On the battle between you and Korey Lindsey for the interception lead
"A new one is who is going to get the first one in the new stadium? Who's going to be the first to get one and who's going to be the first one to return one? Instead of it being a job or a chore, we get to go out and compete and have fun. We're the first ones to congratulate each other when someone does get the pick, so it's a fun thing we've got going."

Is there another player on the team who can join in and battle with you two for the interception crown?
"We'll see, we've got some really athletic young guys coming in this year so I think we are going to surprise people with our safeties and our corners."