Saturday, October 5
Brookings, SD
2:00 PM
Southern Illinois University
at
South Dakota State
Saluki Football Notebook at South Dakota State
10/01/2019 | 11:31:00 | Football
CARBONDALE, Ill. — Southern Illinois plays at No. 3-ranked South Dakota State on Saturday in the conference opener for both teams. The game will be televised on ESPN+ and locally on WDKA My49. The Salukis (2-2) are aiming for their first win over a top-3 ranked team since 2009. The Jackrabbits (3-1) have outscored their last three opponents by a margin of 119-20.
Salukis versus ranked FCS opponents
The Salukis have lost their last six games versus ranked FCS opponents, with the last win over a ranked team coming on Oct. 14, 2017, when SIU beat No. 15 Illinois State, 42-7. The last time SIU won a road game against a ranked team was on Oct. 12, 2013, when it won at No. 4 Northern Iowa, 24-17. The last time Southern beat a top-3 team was on Oct. 17, 2009, when it won at No. 2 Northern Iowa, 27-20.
Series versus South Dakota State
The Salukis are 3-6 all-time against the Jackrabbits in a series that debuted in 2008. Southern is 2-2 at SDSU with wins in 2009 and 2013.
Road Warriors
The Salukis play four of their first five games on the road this season. Since 1970, the only other times that's happened in school history came in 1993 and 1999. The 1974 team played its first five games on the road.
Karé Lyles takes over at QB
Junior college transfer Karé Lyles (6-1, 225, Jr.) made his first-career start at Arkansas State in Week 4. He stepped in during Week 3 for injured starter QB Stone Labanowitz (5-10, 187, So.), who hurt his right shoulder in the first series and is out indefinitely. Lyles completed 19-of-31 passes for 288 yards in his first start, with 2 touchdowns and 1 interception. He also rushed for 24 yards and a touchdown.
RB Javon Williams Jr. leads team with 7 TDs
RB Javon Williams Jr. (6-1, 239, rFr.) has scored seven touchdowns in four games and has already matched SIU's season leaders from 2018 (Matt DeSomer and Raphael Leonard). Frequently operating out of the Wildcat formation, Williams averages (6.72) yards per carry. At UMass, he had an 85-yard TD catch — the third-longest in school history. Williams is also a capable passer, having played quarterback in high school and beginning his career at SIU under center.
S Jeremy Chinn moves up to 7th in INTs
With two interceptions so far in 2019, preseason All-American S Jeremy Chinn (6-3, 212, Sr.) has moved into seventh place in interceptions at SIU with 11. He is also third in pass breakups (24) and second in forced fumbles (6). A starter since his freshman season and with 29 career starts, Chinn was named the "Top FCS Target" by the Senior Bowl heading into the season. A year ago Delaware's Nasir Adderley earned the Senior Bowl's distinction and ended up as a San Diego Chargers 2nd round pick.
DE Anthony Knighton moves up sacks, TFL lists
DE Anthony Knighton (6-4, 260, Jr.) has started every game (26) of his Saluki career and picked up career sack number 18.0 at Arkansas State to move into sixth place all-time at Southern. His 8.5 sacks last season ranked seventh all-time at SIU and were the most by a Saluki since James Cloud had 8.5 in 2007. He also has 29.0 tackles for loss in his career, which is tied with Bart Scott for 10th all-time at SIU.
WR Avante Cox has breakout game
WR Avante Cox (5-10, 175, So.) caught seven passes for 142 yards in SIU's last outing at Arkansas State — the most by a Saluki against an FBS opponent since Brent Little had 152 yards at Western Michigan in 2005. A transfer from Wyoming, Cox was named the MVFC's Newcomer of the Week for Week 4.
WR Landon Lenoir is active leader in receptions
WR Landon Lenoir (6-0, 190, Jr.) is the team's active leader in receiving with 70 catches for 679 yards. Lenoir has two relatives currently in the NFL. Brother Lance Lenoir (age 24), who holds the Western Illinois school record for career touchdown catches (28), is currently a member the Dallas Cowboys. Cousin Laquon Treadwell (age 24) is a wide receiver for the Minnesota Vikings.
Qua Brown 3rd in the nation in solo tackles
Although Jeremy Chinn grabs the headlines as one of the nation's top safeties and NFL prospects, S Qua Brown (5-11, 203, Jr.) is third in the nation in solo tackles per game (7.8) and 10th in total tackles (10.8). He had 16 tackles at SEMO and 14 at UMass. He also has three pass breakups to his credit.
RB D.J. Davis sidelined with dislocated elbow
RB D.J. Davis (5-8, 170, Sr.) suffered a dislocated elbow at Arkansas State and will not play Saturday. He leads the MVFC in all-purpose yards per game (143.25) and ranks third all-time in school history (4,717) in career all-purpose yards (rushing, receiving, return yardage). Davis has recorded eight 100-yard rushing games in the last 15 games. He is one of 40 players on the 2019 preseason watch list for the College Football Performance Awards (CFPA) FCS National Performer of the Year trophy. Davis led the Missouri Valley Football Conference last season and ranked 14th in the nation in all-purpose yards per game with 140.3. He rushed for 1,118 yards in 2018 — the most by a Saluki running back since Jewel Hampton in 2011 — and averaged 6.28 yards per carry.
True freshman RB Romeir Elliott is next man up
RB Romeir Elliott (5-5, 188, Fr.) will see more action due to the injury to Davis. Elliott has carried 27 times for 169 yards (6.3 ave.) in three games. He missed the UT Martin game due to injury. Elliott also has five receptions for 31 yards and a TD.
Dawg Bites
• The Salukis have out-scored opponents, 68-41, in the second half this season. Last year, they were out-scored, 225-145, in the second half.
• SIU's three, active running backs are all freshmen — redshirts Javon Williams Jr. and Tremayne Lee and true freshman Romeir Elliott.
• The Salukis rank 6th in the nation in kickoff return defense, allowing 14.36 yards per return.
• SIU's 3rd down conversion percentage (.500) ranks 9th in the nation and is much improved over last year's mark (.394).
• RB Javon Williams Jr. (103 rushing) and WR Avante Cox (142 receiving) both topped 100 yards at Arkansas State, marking the 22nd time two SIU players reached 100 yards rushing and receiving in the same game.
• After recording one tackle for loss and no sacks at SEMO, the Salukis have generated 23.0 TFLs and 12.0 sacks in the last three games. They rank 11th in the nation in team sacks.
• In addition to Romeir Elliott, true freshmen WR Tanner Corum (5-11, 185, Fr.) and S PJ Jules (6-2, 233, Fr.) have also played three games this season. True freshmen can play up to four games and still apply for a redshirt.
TE Nigel Kilby on Senior Bowl Watch List
One of SIU's most potent targets in the passing game is TE Nigel Kilby (6-8, 243, Sr.). Of his 16 receptions in 2018, six of them went for touchdowns. Against South Dakota, he caught seven passes for 109 yards and two touchdowns. NFL scouts have shown increased interest in Kilby this fall, and he is one of three FCS tight ends on the preseason Senior Bowl watch list.
The Leg from Down Under
A native of Melbourne, Australia, P Jack Colquhoun (6-2, 190, Jr.) is the first Australian to play for the Salukis since Wayne Cowley punted 32 times in 1973. Colquhoun, who averages 40.0 yards per punt and has three kicks of 50+ yards this season, had never seen an American football game in person prior to his college debut at SEMO on Aug. 29. Colquhoun (pronounced KUH-hoon) was a decorated rugby player back home.
Saluki O-Line trio has combined to start 76 games
The Salukis return three starters on the offensive line — C Jacob Marnin (6-2, 316, Sr.), LG ZeVeyon Furcron (6-1, 320, Jr.) and LT Ernest Dye Jr. (6-2, 307, Sr.). The trio has 76 games combined of starting experience. The right side of the O-line features RG Calvin Francis Jr. (6-1, 306, So.) and RT Beau Branyan(6-4, 294, rFr.), who have each started four games this season.
Utah transfer Tre Strong earns MVFC honors
CB Tre Strong (6-1, 195, Sr.) was the MVFC's Newcomer of the Week in Week 3, thanks to his performance against UT Martin in which he forced two fumbles and had two pass breakups, and also added five tackles, including a tackle for loss. A transfer from Utah, he also started 12 games in two seasons (2015-16) at Montana State.
| Southern Illinois (2-2, 0-0) at No. 3 South Dakota State (3-1, 0-0) | |
| Date & Time | Oct. 5, 2019 | 2 p.m. CT |
| Location | Brookings, S.D. | Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium (19,340) |
| TV/Video Stream | ESPN+, WDKA My49 |
| Live Stats | Provided by South Dakota State |
| Radio | Saluki Radio Network Mike Reis, Gene Green |
| Radio Stream | TuneIn (free) |
| Southern Illinois | Game Notes (PDF) | Stats | Media Guide |
| SDSU | Game Notes (PDF) | Stats | Media Guide |
| MVFC | Weekly Notes | Stats |
| All-Time Series | Salukis trail, 3-6 (H: 1-4, A: 2-2) |
| Social Media | @SIU_Football  | @SIUSalukis  | Saluki Football  |
| Video Channel | Vimeo |
Salukis versus ranked FCS opponents
The Salukis have lost their last six games versus ranked FCS opponents, with the last win over a ranked team coming on Oct. 14, 2017, when SIU beat No. 15 Illinois State, 42-7. The last time SIU won a road game against a ranked team was on Oct. 12, 2013, when it won at No. 4 Northern Iowa, 24-17. The last time Southern beat a top-3 team was on Oct. 17, 2009, when it won at No. 2 Northern Iowa, 27-20.
Series versus South Dakota State
The Salukis are 3-6 all-time against the Jackrabbits in a series that debuted in 2008. Southern is 2-2 at SDSU with wins in 2009 and 2013.
Road Warriors
The Salukis play four of their first five games on the road this season. Since 1970, the only other times that's happened in school history came in 1993 and 1999. The 1974 team played its first five games on the road.
Karé Lyles takes over at QB
Junior college transfer Karé Lyles (6-1, 225, Jr.) made his first-career start at Arkansas State in Week 4. He stepped in during Week 3 for injured starter QB Stone Labanowitz (5-10, 187, So.), who hurt his right shoulder in the first series and is out indefinitely. Lyles completed 19-of-31 passes for 288 yards in his first start, with 2 touchdowns and 1 interception. He also rushed for 24 yards and a touchdown.
RB Javon Williams Jr. leads team with 7 TDs
RB Javon Williams Jr. (6-1, 239, rFr.) has scored seven touchdowns in four games and has already matched SIU's season leaders from 2018 (Matt DeSomer and Raphael Leonard). Frequently operating out of the Wildcat formation, Williams averages (6.72) yards per carry. At UMass, he had an 85-yard TD catch — the third-longest in school history. Williams is also a capable passer, having played quarterback in high school and beginning his career at SIU under center.
S Jeremy Chinn moves up to 7th in INTs
With two interceptions so far in 2019, preseason All-American S Jeremy Chinn (6-3, 212, Sr.) has moved into seventh place in interceptions at SIU with 11. He is also third in pass breakups (24) and second in forced fumbles (6). A starter since his freshman season and with 29 career starts, Chinn was named the "Top FCS Target" by the Senior Bowl heading into the season. A year ago Delaware's Nasir Adderley earned the Senior Bowl's distinction and ended up as a San Diego Chargers 2nd round pick.
DE Anthony Knighton moves up sacks, TFL lists
DE Anthony Knighton (6-4, 260, Jr.) has started every game (26) of his Saluki career and picked up career sack number 18.0 at Arkansas State to move into sixth place all-time at Southern. His 8.5 sacks last season ranked seventh all-time at SIU and were the most by a Saluki since James Cloud had 8.5 in 2007. He also has 29.0 tackles for loss in his career, which is tied with Bart Scott for 10th all-time at SIU.
WR Avante Cox has breakout game
WR Avante Cox (5-10, 175, So.) caught seven passes for 142 yards in SIU's last outing at Arkansas State — the most by a Saluki against an FBS opponent since Brent Little had 152 yards at Western Michigan in 2005. A transfer from Wyoming, Cox was named the MVFC's Newcomer of the Week for Week 4.
WR Landon Lenoir is active leader in receptions
WR Landon Lenoir (6-0, 190, Jr.) is the team's active leader in receiving with 70 catches for 679 yards. Lenoir has two relatives currently in the NFL. Brother Lance Lenoir (age 24), who holds the Western Illinois school record for career touchdown catches (28), is currently a member the Dallas Cowboys. Cousin Laquon Treadwell (age 24) is a wide receiver for the Minnesota Vikings.
Qua Brown 3rd in the nation in solo tackles
Although Jeremy Chinn grabs the headlines as one of the nation's top safeties and NFL prospects, S Qua Brown (5-11, 203, Jr.) is third in the nation in solo tackles per game (7.8) and 10th in total tackles (10.8). He had 16 tackles at SEMO and 14 at UMass. He also has three pass breakups to his credit.
RB D.J. Davis sidelined with dislocated elbow
RB D.J. Davis (5-8, 170, Sr.) suffered a dislocated elbow at Arkansas State and will not play Saturday. He leads the MVFC in all-purpose yards per game (143.25) and ranks third all-time in school history (4,717) in career all-purpose yards (rushing, receiving, return yardage). Davis has recorded eight 100-yard rushing games in the last 15 games. He is one of 40 players on the 2019 preseason watch list for the College Football Performance Awards (CFPA) FCS National Performer of the Year trophy. Davis led the Missouri Valley Football Conference last season and ranked 14th in the nation in all-purpose yards per game with 140.3. He rushed for 1,118 yards in 2018 — the most by a Saluki running back since Jewel Hampton in 2011 — and averaged 6.28 yards per carry.
True freshman RB Romeir Elliott is next man up
RB Romeir Elliott (5-5, 188, Fr.) will see more action due to the injury to Davis. Elliott has carried 27 times for 169 yards (6.3 ave.) in three games. He missed the UT Martin game due to injury. Elliott also has five receptions for 31 yards and a TD.
Dawg Bites
• The Salukis have out-scored opponents, 68-41, in the second half this season. Last year, they were out-scored, 225-145, in the second half.
• SIU's three, active running backs are all freshmen — redshirts Javon Williams Jr. and Tremayne Lee and true freshman Romeir Elliott.
• The Salukis rank 6th in the nation in kickoff return defense, allowing 14.36 yards per return.
• SIU's 3rd down conversion percentage (.500) ranks 9th in the nation and is much improved over last year's mark (.394).
• RB Javon Williams Jr. (103 rushing) and WR Avante Cox (142 receiving) both topped 100 yards at Arkansas State, marking the 22nd time two SIU players reached 100 yards rushing and receiving in the same game.
• After recording one tackle for loss and no sacks at SEMO, the Salukis have generated 23.0 TFLs and 12.0 sacks in the last three games. They rank 11th in the nation in team sacks.
• In addition to Romeir Elliott, true freshmen WR Tanner Corum (5-11, 185, Fr.) and S PJ Jules (6-2, 233, Fr.) have also played three games this season. True freshmen can play up to four games and still apply for a redshirt.
TE Nigel Kilby on Senior Bowl Watch List
One of SIU's most potent targets in the passing game is TE Nigel Kilby (6-8, 243, Sr.). Of his 16 receptions in 2018, six of them went for touchdowns. Against South Dakota, he caught seven passes for 109 yards and two touchdowns. NFL scouts have shown increased interest in Kilby this fall, and he is one of three FCS tight ends on the preseason Senior Bowl watch list.
The Leg from Down Under
A native of Melbourne, Australia, P Jack Colquhoun (6-2, 190, Jr.) is the first Australian to play for the Salukis since Wayne Cowley punted 32 times in 1973. Colquhoun, who averages 40.0 yards per punt and has three kicks of 50+ yards this season, had never seen an American football game in person prior to his college debut at SEMO on Aug. 29. Colquhoun (pronounced KUH-hoon) was a decorated rugby player back home.
Saluki O-Line trio has combined to start 76 games
The Salukis return three starters on the offensive line — C Jacob Marnin (6-2, 316, Sr.), LG ZeVeyon Furcron (6-1, 320, Jr.) and LT Ernest Dye Jr. (6-2, 307, Sr.). The trio has 76 games combined of starting experience. The right side of the O-line features RG Calvin Francis Jr. (6-1, 306, So.) and RT Beau Branyan(6-4, 294, rFr.), who have each started four games this season.
Utah transfer Tre Strong earns MVFC honors
CB Tre Strong (6-1, 195, Sr.) was the MVFC's Newcomer of the Week in Week 3, thanks to his performance against UT Martin in which he forced two fumbles and had two pass breakups, and also added five tackles, including a tackle for loss. A transfer from Utah, he also started 12 games in two seasons (2015-16) at Montana State.
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