SIU at Memphis Game Notes & Links

Southern Illinois (2-0, 0-0 MVFC) at Memphis (2-0, 0-0 AAC)
Date & Time	Sept. 23, 2017 \| 7 p.m. CT
Location	Memphis, Tenn. \| Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium (58,318 // Turf) \| Weather
TV	KFVS-TV (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) Channel 12 - AND - WMC-TV (Memphis, Tenn.) Channel 5 with Jeff Brightwell and Greg Gaston
Video	ESPN3 with Jeff Brightwell and Greg Gaston
Radio	Saluki Sports Network with Mike Reis (play-by-play), Gene Green (analysis) and Connor James (analysis)
Audio	Saluki All-Access (Free all season)
Live Stats	Provided by Memphis
SIU	Game Notes \| Stats \| Media Guide
Memphis	Game Notes \| Stats \| Media Guide
MVFC	Weekly Notes \| Stats
Series	First Meeting
Social	@SIU_Football \| @SIUSalukis \| Saluki Football

QUICK HITS

Southern Illinois travels to Memphis to face the Tigers on Saturday, Sept. 23. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.
Memphis is 2-0 and coming off a win over nationally ranked UCLA. The Tigers are receiving votes in both FBS top-25 polls and are the de facto No. 31-ranked team in FBS football.
The local CBS affiliate, KFVS-TV Channel 12, will broadcast the game locally. Nationally, the game will also be available on ESPN3.
SIU has lost nine-straight games against FBS opponents. Southern's last two FBS wins came in 2006 (over Indiana) and 2007 (over Northern Illinois), when now-head coach Nick Hill was the starting quarterback for the Salukis.
Since 2003, nine of Southern's 14 FBS games have been decided by one possession, including each of the last two years (at Indiana in 2015 and at Florida Atlantic in 2016). Four of Southern's losses to FBS opponents in that span have been by three points or fewer.
Southern's defense leads the FCS in tackles for loss per game and ranks second in both sacks per game and turnovers forced per game.

SALUKIS AGAINST THE FBS

SIU is 3-29 against FBS programs since the Salukis joined the FCS before the 1982 season. Southern beat New Mexico State in 1983, Indiana in 2006 and Northern Illinois in 2007.
Head coach Nick Hill was the starting quarterback for SIU in two of its three FBS wins, beating Indiana and Northern Illinois in 2006 and 2007, respectively.
Since 2002, nine of SIU's 14 FBS games have been one-possession games. Four of SIU's losses in that span have been by three points or fewer.
A quick recap of SIU's recent close calls vs. FBS programs:
- In 2016, SIU led 24-21 at halftime against Florida Atlantic. For the game, SIU outgained the Owls by nearly 80 yards (530-452); but FAU's 14-0 third quarter was the difference in the 38-30 game.
- In 2015, SIU lost a heartbreaker at Indiana, 48-47. Southern scored a touchdown with less than 20 seconds remaining in the game and went for a 2-point conversion, but was unsuccessful.
- SIU recorded 394 yards of total offense in the first half alone vs. Indiana. SIU had 659 yards of total offense in the game vs. the Hoosiers.
- In 2013, SIU drove to the Illinois 3-yard line with less than a minute remaining but couldn't punch in the potential game-tying score in the 42-34 loss.
Since 2011, SIU has played six FBS opponents, including four Power 5 programs (Ole Miss, Miami (OH), Illinois, Purdue, Indiana and Florida Atlantic).
Since 2011, SIU has outgained its FBS opponent by an average of 25 yards per game (449.2 to 423.8), but the Salukis are 0-6 in those games.
The Missouri Valley Football Conference is widely considered the best conference in the FCS. The MVFC has 39 wins against FBS schools since 1985, including at least one win in seven-straight seasons. This year, South Dakota won at Bowling Green to keep that streak alive.

SALUKI DEFENSE SHOWING MARKED IMPROVEMENT

The SIU defense has been one of the nation's best through the first two games.
SIU limited Mississippi Valley State to negative-eight yards rushing in the season opener.
Southern's defense has already forced seven turnovers, which ranks 12th in the nation (3.5 per game ranks second in the nation).
In both 2015 and 2016, SIU forced 14 turnovers in 11 games each season. The Salukis are halfway there in just two games of 2017.
In the season opener against Mississippi Valley State, Southern Illinois piled up 16 tackles for loss and six sacks.
SIU's 16 TFLs during the season opener are tied for the most in Division I football this season (FBS or FCS).
The 16 TFLs are also the most for the program since at least 2006.
The Salukis recorded 20 sacks all of last season, and they already have 10 this year.
Last year's Saluki defense excelled on third down and in the red zone.
- Southern's defense led the MVFC and ranked seventh nationally in third-down defense last year, allowing opponents to convert just 29.7 percent of their third downs.
- SIU also led the MVFC and ranked 11th nationally in red zone defense, allowing opponents to convert just 71.4 percent of their red zone trips into points.
This year's Saluki defense has replicated that success.
- SIU is holding opponents to 22.6 percent on third-down conversion attempts, which ranks ninth nationally.
- SIU opponents are scoring points on only 57.1 percent of their red zone trips. Southern's defense ranks ninth nationally in red zone defense.
After the SEMO win, SIU defensive back Ryan Neal was named MVFC Defensive Player of the Week. Neal had a game-high eight tackles, an interception and a fumble recovery in the win.