Saturday, October 19
Carbondale, IL
2:00 PM
Southern Illinois University
vs
Youngstown St.
Football hosts No. 18 Youngstown State on Homecoming
10/15/2019 | 3:11:00 | Football
Eight Saluki Hall of Fame inductees to be recognized during the game.
CARBONDALE, Ill. — Southern Illinois celebrates Homecoming on Saturday by hosting No. 18 Youngstown State in a key conference battle at 2 p.m. at Saluki Stadium. The last six games between the teams have been decided by a touchdown or less. Prior to the game fans are invited to meet the 2019-20 Saluki basketball teams. From noon to 1 p.m. outside the Banterra Center, the teams will be available for a three-point contest, autograph session, and more. Posters and schedule cards will be available.
Reminder that the Saluki Row Tailgate Zone opens three hours prior to kickoff. Located in the fenced-in field just south of Saluki Stadium, Saluki Row offers free food, ice cream, music and games for all ages. Beer is available for $3. Kids can sign up for free membership in Brown Dawg's Kids Club and lead the team onto the field prior to kickoff.
In addition to the traditional Homecoming festivities, the 2019 Saluki Hall of Fame class will be introduced during the game. The class consists of Jake Alley (Baseball), Karlton Carpenter (Football), Craig Coffin (Football), Deke Edwards (Wrestling), Kelly Gerlach Hovland (Women's Golf), Deb Heyne Gross (Volleyball), Tim Kratochvil (Baseball) and Chris Lowery (Men's Basketball).
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Salukis versus ranked FCS opponents
The Salukis have lost their last eight 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. Youngstown State enters this week's game ranked No. 18 in the Coaches Poll.
Series versus Youngstown State
The Penguins have won the last three meetings between the teams and five of the last six. All six of the games have been decided by eight points or less. Southern's last win over YSU came in 2015, a 38-31 overtime victory on SIU's Homecoming. SIU trailed by 11 with five minutes remaining but forced overtime on an Austin Johnson field goal with six seconds to go. In OT, Saluki quarterback Mark Iannotti threw a 24-yard touchdown pass to Israel Lamprakes, and the defense stopped YSU on 4th-and-2 stop at the 9-yard line.
RB D.J. Davis expected to return
RB D.J. Davis (5-8, 170, Sr.) suffered a dislocated elbow at Arkansas State, missed the last two games, but is expected to return versus YSU. He 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 his 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. In 2018, Davis led the MVFC 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.
S Jeremy Chinn also expected back
Preseason All-American S Jeremy Chinn (6-3, 212, Sr.) is also expected back this week after missing the last two games with a foot injury. With two interceptions this season, Chinn has moved into seventh place in career 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.
RB Javon Williams Jr. has 7 TDs
RB Javon Williams Jr. (6-1, 239, rFr.) has scored seven touchdowns in six 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 (5.8) 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.
DE Anthony Knighton moves up sacks, TFL lists
DE Anthony Knighton (6-4, 260, Jr.) has started every game (28) of his Saluki career and is sixth all-time in sacks at SIU with 18.5, including 3.5 this season. His 8.5 sacks in 2018 ranked seventh all-time at SIU and were the most by a Saluki since James Cloud had 8.5 in 2007. He also has 30.0 tackles for loss in his career, which is tied with ninth all-time at SIU.
WR Avante Cox has 16 catches in last three games
After catching five passes in his first three games, WR Avante Cox (5-10, 175, So.) has caught 16 passes for 239 yards in his last three games. His 142 receiving yards at Arkansas State were 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.
Karé Lyles takes over at QB
Junior college transfer Karé Lyles (6-1, 225, Jr.) replaced injured starting QB Stone Labanowitz (5-10, 187, So.) during the first series of the UT Martin game. Labanowitz hurt his right shoulder. In three games, Lyles has completed 62-of-101 (.614) passes for 687 yards, 3 TDs and 4 interceptions. Labanowitz began throwing in practice this week and his availability is week-to-week. Labanowitz won a three-way competition during training camp, in which redshirt freshman Nic Baker (5-8, 191, rFr.) was the leader at the start of camp.
Dawg Bites
• OLB Makel Calhoun (6-3, 216, So.) has 14 tackles, 3.5 TFL, 1.5 sacks and a fumble recovery in the last three games. He also leads the team with six special teams tackles.
• DT Malik Haynes (5-11, 334, Sr.) has 18 tackles in the last four games.
• RB Romeir Elliott (5-5, 188, Fr.) leads the team with a 7.0 yard average per carry. He's coming off his first 100-yard game, a 109-yard effort versus Illinois State.
• In the last six quarters, SIU has had 19 drives, consisting of 94 plays. The only points during that span came on a 1-play drive in which Romeir Elliott ran for a 74-yard touchdown versus ISU.
• SIU's 3rd down conversion percentage was .500 entering MVFC play, but the offense is 4-for-28 on 3rd down in two league games.
• The Salukis rank 4th in the nation in kickoff return defense, allowing 14.69 yards per return.
• In addition to Romeir Elliott, true freshmen WR Tanner Corum (5-11, 185, Fr.), CB PJ Jules (6-2, 233, Fr.) and CB Zay Frazier (6-3, 177, Fr.) have each played more than four games this season. True freshmen can play up to four games and still apply for a redshirt. Jules ranks third on the team in special teams tackles with 4.
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 (7.5) and 10th in total tackles (10.3). He had 16 tackles at SEMO and 14 at UMass. He also has four pass breakups to his credit.
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 in 1973. Colquhoun, who averages 42.0 yards per punt and hassix kicks of 50+ yards this season, including an 80-yard boot at South Dakota State that was the third-longest in school history. Last year, SIU only had four punts of 50+ all season. He 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.
OLB Cody Crider bounces back
After undergoing the third knee surgery of his career in 2018, OLB Cody Crider (5-11, 218, Sr.) is back and having his best season at SIU with 43 tackles (2nd on the team), 3.5 TFLs and a sack.
WR Landon Lenoir is active leader in receptions
WR Landon Lenoir (6-0, 190, Jr.) is the team's active leader in receiving with 75 catches for 747 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.
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.
Saluki O-Line trio has combined to start 82 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 82 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.). Francis Jr. has started five games this season, and Branyan has started all six.
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.
Reminder that the Saluki Row Tailgate Zone opens three hours prior to kickoff. Located in the fenced-in field just south of Saluki Stadium, Saluki Row offers free food, ice cream, music and games for all ages. Beer is available for $3. Kids can sign up for free membership in Brown Dawg's Kids Club and lead the team onto the field prior to kickoff.
In addition to the traditional Homecoming festivities, the 2019 Saluki Hall of Fame class will be introduced during the game. The class consists of Jake Alley (Baseball), Karlton Carpenter (Football), Craig Coffin (Football), Deke Edwards (Wrestling), Kelly Gerlach Hovland (Women's Golf), Deb Heyne Gross (Volleyball), Tim Kratochvil (Baseball) and Chris Lowery (Men's Basketball).
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| No. 18 Youngstown State (4-2, 0-2) at Southern Illinois (2-4, 0-2) | |
| Date & Time | Oct. 19, 2019 | 2 p.m. CT |
| Location | Carbondale, Ill. | Saluki Stadium (15,000) |
| TV/Video Stream | ESPN+, Connor Onion, Connor James |
| Live Stats | Provided by SIU |
| Radio | Saluki Radio Network Mike Reis, Gene Green |
| Radio Stream | TuneIn (free) |
| Southern Illinois | Game Notes (PDF) | Stats | Media Guide |
| Youngstown State | Game Notes (PDF) | Stats | Media Guide |
| MVFC | Weekly Notes | Stats |
| All-Time Series | Salukis trail, 12-17-1 (H: 7-7-1, A: 5-10) |
| Social Media | @SIU_Football  | @SIUSalukis  | Saluki Football  |
| Video Channel | Vimeo |
Salukis versus ranked FCS opponents
The Salukis have lost their last eight 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. Youngstown State enters this week's game ranked No. 18 in the Coaches Poll.
Series versus Youngstown State
The Penguins have won the last three meetings between the teams and five of the last six. All six of the games have been decided by eight points or less. Southern's last win over YSU came in 2015, a 38-31 overtime victory on SIU's Homecoming. SIU trailed by 11 with five minutes remaining but forced overtime on an Austin Johnson field goal with six seconds to go. In OT, Saluki quarterback Mark Iannotti threw a 24-yard touchdown pass to Israel Lamprakes, and the defense stopped YSU on 4th-and-2 stop at the 9-yard line.
RB D.J. Davis expected to return
RB D.J. Davis (5-8, 170, Sr.) suffered a dislocated elbow at Arkansas State, missed the last two games, but is expected to return versus YSU. He 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 his 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. In 2018, Davis led the MVFC 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.
S Jeremy Chinn also expected back
Preseason All-American S Jeremy Chinn (6-3, 212, Sr.) is also expected back this week after missing the last two games with a foot injury. With two interceptions this season, Chinn has moved into seventh place in career 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.
RB Javon Williams Jr. has 7 TDs
RB Javon Williams Jr. (6-1, 239, rFr.) has scored seven touchdowns in six 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 (5.8) 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.
DE Anthony Knighton moves up sacks, TFL lists
DE Anthony Knighton (6-4, 260, Jr.) has started every game (28) of his Saluki career and is sixth all-time in sacks at SIU with 18.5, including 3.5 this season. His 8.5 sacks in 2018 ranked seventh all-time at SIU and were the most by a Saluki since James Cloud had 8.5 in 2007. He also has 30.0 tackles for loss in his career, which is tied with ninth all-time at SIU.
WR Avante Cox has 16 catches in last three games
After catching five passes in his first three games, WR Avante Cox (5-10, 175, So.) has caught 16 passes for 239 yards in his last three games. His 142 receiving yards at Arkansas State were 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.
Karé Lyles takes over at QB
Junior college transfer Karé Lyles (6-1, 225, Jr.) replaced injured starting QB Stone Labanowitz (5-10, 187, So.) during the first series of the UT Martin game. Labanowitz hurt his right shoulder. In three games, Lyles has completed 62-of-101 (.614) passes for 687 yards, 3 TDs and 4 interceptions. Labanowitz began throwing in practice this week and his availability is week-to-week. Labanowitz won a three-way competition during training camp, in which redshirt freshman Nic Baker (5-8, 191, rFr.) was the leader at the start of camp.
Dawg Bites
• OLB Makel Calhoun (6-3, 216, So.) has 14 tackles, 3.5 TFL, 1.5 sacks and a fumble recovery in the last three games. He also leads the team with six special teams tackles.
• DT Malik Haynes (5-11, 334, Sr.) has 18 tackles in the last four games.
• RB Romeir Elliott (5-5, 188, Fr.) leads the team with a 7.0 yard average per carry. He's coming off his first 100-yard game, a 109-yard effort versus Illinois State.
• In the last six quarters, SIU has had 19 drives, consisting of 94 plays. The only points during that span came on a 1-play drive in which Romeir Elliott ran for a 74-yard touchdown versus ISU.
• SIU's 3rd down conversion percentage was .500 entering MVFC play, but the offense is 4-for-28 on 3rd down in two league games.
• The Salukis rank 4th in the nation in kickoff return defense, allowing 14.69 yards per return.
• In addition to Romeir Elliott, true freshmen WR Tanner Corum (5-11, 185, Fr.), CB PJ Jules (6-2, 233, Fr.) and CB Zay Frazier (6-3, 177, Fr.) have each played more than four games this season. True freshmen can play up to four games and still apply for a redshirt. Jules ranks third on the team in special teams tackles with 4.
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 (7.5) and 10th in total tackles (10.3). He had 16 tackles at SEMO and 14 at UMass. He also has four pass breakups to his credit.
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 in 1973. Colquhoun, who averages 42.0 yards per punt and hassix kicks of 50+ yards this season, including an 80-yard boot at South Dakota State that was the third-longest in school history. Last year, SIU only had four punts of 50+ all season. He 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.
OLB Cody Crider bounces back
After undergoing the third knee surgery of his career in 2018, OLB Cody Crider (5-11, 218, Sr.) is back and having his best season at SIU with 43 tackles (2nd on the team), 3.5 TFLs and a sack.
WR Landon Lenoir is active leader in receptions
WR Landon Lenoir (6-0, 190, Jr.) is the team's active leader in receiving with 75 catches for 747 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.
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.
Saluki O-Line trio has combined to start 82 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 82 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.). Francis Jr. has started five games this season, and Branyan has started all six.
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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