Southern Illinoise University Athletics
10 things to watch for this football season
08/09/2010 | 12:00:00 | Football
Aug. 9, 2010
By Jason Clay
www.SIUSalukis.com
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Changing of the guard at inside linebacker - Article by Tom Weber
CARBONDALE, Ill. - The 2010 football season for Southern Illinois is going to be a historic one with the opening of Saluki Stadium.
There are many storylines surrounding the program as they enter the year. Here is a Top 10 list in no particular order of things to watch for in 2010...
1. Defending the MVFC crown - It will be difficult for the Salukis to go through the conference schedule with a perfect 8-0 record like SIU did last season. The Salukis do enter the year with a 14-game winning streak in Valley games and head coach Dale Lennon has only lost one MVFC game (at North Dakota State, 2008) in two seasons at Southern. If SIU can claim the MVFC title this year, it would be its third-straight league championship and sixth in eight seasons. SIU (2003-05) and Northern Iowa (1990-97) are the only teams in league history to capture at least a share of the league title in three or more consecutive seasons.
2. Interception battle - Seniors Korey Lindsey and Mike McElroy have a fun competition between each other on who can intercept more passes. Last year, McElroy edged Lindsey by the count of 7-6 and McElroy tied for fourth in the nation in passes intercepted. Lindsey has 13 career picks and is seven shy of tying Terry Taylor's (1980-83) school record. Another defensive back that could join in on Lindsey and McElroy's fun in sophomore cornerback James McFadden. McFadden started the two playoff games for the Salukis last year and has looked very good so far in fall camp.
3. Joe Allaria - Joe Allaria is a football player. Two years ago he was battling Chris Dieker for the starting quarterback job and now he is an all-conference wide receiver. There was one time in spring ball where Allaria was just crushed going for a ball over the middle and did not make the catch. Two plays later he found himself in the same exact spot, only this time he caught the ball while being hit even harder. Allaria is a playmaker for the Salukis and it will be fun to watch his senior season.
4. Illinois game - Southern Illinois heads up I-57 to face the Illinois Fighting Illini on Sept. 11 at 6:30 p.m. (Big Ten Network). It will be SIU's seventh meeting with a Football Bowl Subdivision school in as many years and its third game against the Illini in program history (last met in 1990). In 2006, the Salukis became the first MVFC team to topple a Big Ten opponent when they won at Indiana. The Salukis then beat Northern Illinois the next season. Does Southern Illinois have it in them again to beat another Big Ten team?
5. Attendance - Moving into the state-of-the art Saluki Stadium will hopefully boost attendance at games. Last season Southern Illinois finished in eighth out of nine Valley teams in average home attendance (8,882). Only Indiana State drew fewer fans on average than the Salukis did. With the new amenities, that should change. A 20x40 foot scoreboard with video replay capabilities in the North end zone and expanded concessions and restrooms will significantly enhance the fan experience.
6. The linebackers - No one realizes it because the Salukis lost five linebackers due to graduation, but the talent and depth among the linebacker corps is great. The experience level just isn't the same with the group they had last season. Senior Stephen Franklin is poised for a huge year and sophomore Joe Okon is a young guy that is going to make a name for himself. Those are two inside backers. There is an arsenal of weapons on the outside. Cameron James, Jayson DiManche, Robert Spann, Travis Littles and Blair Lane are some of the guys you'll see raising havoc. Don't expect to see a drop off within the linebacker crew.
7. Kyle Dougherty - SIU's kicker is entering his fourth season and has a chance to break several MVFC records. Dougherty needs to make two more field goals for the school record and 12 more for the league record. He also needs 77 points and 74 PAT's to break the school and Valley scoring record, which is held by Craig Coffin (2002-06).
8. John Goode - The junior fullback helped lead the way for Deji Karim's All-America season last year. He only got three carries, but did tie for the team lead with four touchdown receptions. Goode will still be used as a lead blocker, but look for him to be more involved in the passing game this year. New offensive coordinator Kalen DeBoer wants all eligible receivers to be used as weapons, and Goode has the athleticism and the hands to be an offensive threat.
9. The defensive line - In SIU's 3-4 defense, the defensive line plays the forgotten hero. The nose tackle is continually asked to draw double teams to free up the linebackers. This year's nose tackle is Kayon Swanson. The coaches like his athleticism and speed - yes, speed from a nose tackle. At the defensive ends, the Salukis have three proven players in two-year starter Chance Coda, senior Jason Seaman and preseason All-Conference selection Kyle Russo. The three last year combined for 10 sacks, helping SIU as a team lead the conference in sacks.
10. The coaching staff - Head coach Dale Lennon is 20-5 in two seasons with two MVFC titles. Associate head coach Bubba Schweigert is in his eighth season serving as the defensive coordinator on Lennon's staff (1999-03 at North Dakota, 2008-present at SIU). The Salukis do have a new offensive coordinator this year in Kalen DeBoer. His resume is about as impressive as it gets. He had a 67-3 record with three NAIA national championships and three NAIA Coach of the Year honors in five seasons as the head coach at the University of Sioux Falls. Can Lennon and his staff bring a second national championship to Southern Illinois?
