Saturday, October 26
Vermillion, SD
4:00 PM
Southern Illinois University
at
South Dakota
Football notebook versus South Dakota
10/22/2019 | 2:31:00 | Football
CARBONDALE, Ill. — Southern Illinois plays at South Dakota on Saturday as the Missouri Valley Football Conference race heats up. With a win, the Salukis (3-4, 1-2) would pull into a tie with the Coyotes (3-4, 2-1) as teams jockey for position behind league leaders North Dakota State and South Dakota State — who are both unbeaten in league play. The game will be televised on ESPN+.
Series versus South Dakota
The two teams have met each year since 2014 with South Dakota holding a 3-2 series lead, including a 2-0 mark in the Dakota Dome. The last time the Salukis played at South Dakota, they lost, 42-0, on Oct. 28, 2017. Southern out-gained the No. 7-ranked Coyotes, 402-280, but turned the ball over five times and had 148 penalty yards. Two of the turnovers were pick-sixes that went for 97 and 79 yards.
Salukis have MVFC's top pass defense
After three conference games, the Salukis lead the MVFC in pass defense, allowing just 159.3 passing yards per game. They are also second in sacks (13), behind South Dakota State (16). In 2018, the Salukis were last in conference games in pass defense (254.9).
Salukis snap streak versus ranked FCS opponents
With the win over No. 18 Youngstown State on Saturday, the Salukis snapped an eight-games losing streak versus ranked FCS opponents. Prior to Saturday, Southern's last win over a ranked team came on Oct. 14, 2017, when SIU beat No. 15 Illinois State, 42-7.
Javon Williams Jr. sets school record
RB Javon Williams Jr. (6-1, 239, rFr.) did something no Saluki has ever done in a game when he rushed for a TD, caught a touchdown pass and threw a TD pass against Youngstown State. Williams Jr. has scored nine touchdowns on the year and has already surpassed last year's team leader. Frequently operating out of the Wildcat formation, Williams averages 5.6 yards per carry.
RB D.J. Davis returns
After missing two games with a dislocated elbow, RB D.J. Davis (5-8, 170, Sr.) returned Saturday and led the Salukis with 70 rushing yards. He ranks eighth in career rushing at SIU (2,103) and third in school history (4,787) in career all-purpose yards (rushing, receiving, return yardage). Davis has recorded eight 100-yard rushing games in his last 16 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.
S Jeremy Chinn returns
Preseason All-American S Jeremy Chinn (6-3, 212, Sr.) also returned last week after missing two games with a foot injury. He led the Salukis with nine tackles (8 solos) against Youngstown. With two interceptions this season, Chinn has moved into seventh place in career interceptions at SIU with 11. He is also second in pass breakups (26) and second in forced fumbles (6). A starter since his freshman season and with 30 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 (29) 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 30.5 tackles for loss in his career, which is tied for eighth all-time at SIU.
WR Avante Cox leads team in catches
WR Avante Cox (5-10, 175, So.) leads the team with 23 catches for 327 yards. After catching five passes in his first three games, Cox has caught 18 passes for 259 yards in his last four. 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.
QB Karé Lyles gets first win
Junior college transfer Karé Lyles (6-1, 225, Jr.) improved to 1-3 as a starter with the win versus Youngstown State. He was 7-of-9 passing for 160 yards and 2 TDs in the game. Lyles replaced injured starter QB Stone Labanowitz (5-10, 187, So.) during the first series of the UT Martin game on Sept. 14. Labanowitz, who hurt his right shoulder, 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. Labanowitz returned to practice last week.
Dawg Bites
• The Salukis rank No. 1 in the nation in kickoff return defense, allowing 13.94 yards per return.
• SIU's nine sacks vs. Youngstown State were the most since recording nine sacks at Western Illinois on Oct. 8, 2005. SIU jumped to No. 7 in the nation in sacks per game (3.57).
• After three conference games, SIU's defense leads the MVFC in 3rd down conversion percentage (22.9%). MVFC opponents are on 8-of-35 on 3rd down.
• OLB Makel Calhoun (6-3, 216, So.) has 18 tackles, 5.5 TFL, 3.5 sacks and a fumble recovery in the last four games. He is also tied with Justin Strong (6-0, 212, rFr.) for the team lead with six special teams tackles.
• The Salukis are the only team in the MVFC without an interception yet in conference play. South Dakota leads the league with 4.
• Eight different players have caught at least one TD pass for the Salukis this year. Last year, only five different players caught touchdowns.
• DT Malik Haynes (5-11, 334, Sr.) has 20 tackles in the last five games.
• RB Romeir Elliott (5-5, 188, Fr.) leads the team with a 6.8 yard average per carry. He had his first 100-yard game versus Illinois State (109 yards).
• 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 5.
Qua Brown 4th 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 fourth in the nation in solo tackles per game (7.0) and 12th in total tackles (10.1). He had 16 tackles at SEMO and 14 at UMass. He also has five pass breakups to his credit.
The Leg from Down Under named MVFC Special Teams Player of the Week
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 has nine kicks of 50+ yards this season, including an 80-yard boot at South Dakota State that was the third-longest in school history. Three of his 50+ yarders came last week against Youngstown State, as he was named the MVFC Special Teams Player of the Week. Colquhoun 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 50 tackles (2nd on the team), 6.5 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 76 catches for 800 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.). He has eight TD catches in 16 games as a Saluki. Against South Dakota last year, 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 85 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 85 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 seven.
Utah transfer Tre Strong leads team in PBUs
CB Tre Strong (6-1, 195, Sr.) leads the Salukis with eight pass breakups. He 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 (3-4, 1-2) at South Dakota (3-4, 2-1) | |
| Date & Time | Oct. 26, 2019 | 4 p.m. CT |
| Location | Vermillion, S.D. | Dakota Dome (10,000) |
| TV/Video Stream | ESPN+ |
| Live Stats | Provided by South Dakota |
| Radio | Saluki Radio Network Mike Reis, Gene Green, Connor James |
| Radio Stream | TuneIn (free) |
| Southern Illinois | Game Notes (PDF) | Stats | Media Guide |
| South Dakota | Game Notes | Stats | Media Guide |
| MVFC | Weekly Notes | Stats |
| All-Time Series | Series: Salukis trail, 2-3 (H: 2-1, A: 0-2) |
| Social Media | @SIU_Football  | @SIUSalukis  | Saluki Football  |
| Video Channel | Vimeo |
Series versus South Dakota
The two teams have met each year since 2014 with South Dakota holding a 3-2 series lead, including a 2-0 mark in the Dakota Dome. The last time the Salukis played at South Dakota, they lost, 42-0, on Oct. 28, 2017. Southern out-gained the No. 7-ranked Coyotes, 402-280, but turned the ball over five times and had 148 penalty yards. Two of the turnovers were pick-sixes that went for 97 and 79 yards.
Salukis have MVFC's top pass defense
After three conference games, the Salukis lead the MVFC in pass defense, allowing just 159.3 passing yards per game. They are also second in sacks (13), behind South Dakota State (16). In 2018, the Salukis were last in conference games in pass defense (254.9).
Salukis snap streak versus ranked FCS opponents
With the win over No. 18 Youngstown State on Saturday, the Salukis snapped an eight-games losing streak versus ranked FCS opponents. Prior to Saturday, Southern's last win over a ranked team came on Oct. 14, 2017, when SIU beat No. 15 Illinois State, 42-7.
Javon Williams Jr. sets school record
RB Javon Williams Jr. (6-1, 239, rFr.) did something no Saluki has ever done in a game when he rushed for a TD, caught a touchdown pass and threw a TD pass against Youngstown State. Williams Jr. has scored nine touchdowns on the year and has already surpassed last year's team leader. Frequently operating out of the Wildcat formation, Williams averages 5.6 yards per carry.
RB D.J. Davis returns
After missing two games with a dislocated elbow, RB D.J. Davis (5-8, 170, Sr.) returned Saturday and led the Salukis with 70 rushing yards. He ranks eighth in career rushing at SIU (2,103) and third in school history (4,787) in career all-purpose yards (rushing, receiving, return yardage). Davis has recorded eight 100-yard rushing games in his last 16 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.
S Jeremy Chinn returns
Preseason All-American S Jeremy Chinn (6-3, 212, Sr.) also returned last week after missing two games with a foot injury. He led the Salukis with nine tackles (8 solos) against Youngstown. With two interceptions this season, Chinn has moved into seventh place in career interceptions at SIU with 11. He is also second in pass breakups (26) and second in forced fumbles (6). A starter since his freshman season and with 30 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 (29) 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 30.5 tackles for loss in his career, which is tied for eighth all-time at SIU.
WR Avante Cox leads team in catches
WR Avante Cox (5-10, 175, So.) leads the team with 23 catches for 327 yards. After catching five passes in his first three games, Cox has caught 18 passes for 259 yards in his last four. 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.
QB Karé Lyles gets first win
Junior college transfer Karé Lyles (6-1, 225, Jr.) improved to 1-3 as a starter with the win versus Youngstown State. He was 7-of-9 passing for 160 yards and 2 TDs in the game. Lyles replaced injured starter QB Stone Labanowitz (5-10, 187, So.) during the first series of the UT Martin game on Sept. 14. Labanowitz, who hurt his right shoulder, 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. Labanowitz returned to practice last week.
Dawg Bites
• The Salukis rank No. 1 in the nation in kickoff return defense, allowing 13.94 yards per return.
• SIU's nine sacks vs. Youngstown State were the most since recording nine sacks at Western Illinois on Oct. 8, 2005. SIU jumped to No. 7 in the nation in sacks per game (3.57).
• After three conference games, SIU's defense leads the MVFC in 3rd down conversion percentage (22.9%). MVFC opponents are on 8-of-35 on 3rd down.
• OLB Makel Calhoun (6-3, 216, So.) has 18 tackles, 5.5 TFL, 3.5 sacks and a fumble recovery in the last four games. He is also tied with Justin Strong (6-0, 212, rFr.) for the team lead with six special teams tackles.
• The Salukis are the only team in the MVFC without an interception yet in conference play. South Dakota leads the league with 4.
• Eight different players have caught at least one TD pass for the Salukis this year. Last year, only five different players caught touchdowns.
• DT Malik Haynes (5-11, 334, Sr.) has 20 tackles in the last five games.
• RB Romeir Elliott (5-5, 188, Fr.) leads the team with a 6.8 yard average per carry. He had his first 100-yard game versus Illinois State (109 yards).
• 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 5.
Qua Brown 4th 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 fourth in the nation in solo tackles per game (7.0) and 12th in total tackles (10.1). He had 16 tackles at SEMO and 14 at UMass. He also has five pass breakups to his credit.
The Leg from Down Under named MVFC Special Teams Player of the Week
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 has nine kicks of 50+ yards this season, including an 80-yard boot at South Dakota State that was the third-longest in school history. Three of his 50+ yarders came last week against Youngstown State, as he was named the MVFC Special Teams Player of the Week. Colquhoun 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 50 tackles (2nd on the team), 6.5 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 76 catches for 800 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.). He has eight TD catches in 16 games as a Saluki. Against South Dakota last year, 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 85 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 85 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 seven.
Utah transfer Tre Strong leads team in PBUs
CB Tre Strong (6-1, 195, Sr.) leads the Salukis with eight pass breakups. He 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.
Players Mentioned
OT
/ Football
OLB
/ Football
S
/ Football
P
/ Football
WR
/ Football
WR
/ Football
OLB
/ Football
RB
/ Football
OT
/ Football
RB
/ Football
G
/ Football
G
/ Football
DT
/ Football
TE
/ Football
DE
/ Football
QB
/ Football
WR
/ Football
C
/ Football
S
/ Football
RB
/ Football10.16.25 | Saluki Radio Basketball Podcast - Exhibition vs Austin Peay
Thursday, October 16
10.15.25 | Saluki Radio Football Podcast - North Dakota
Thursday, October 16
John & Karyn Forbes - Big Dawg Leadership Society
Wednesday, October 15
Inside Saluki Athletics - October 14th
Wednesday, October 15