Saturday, September 14
Carbondale, Il
6:00 PM
Southern Illinois University
vs
UT Martin
Football hosts UT Martin in home opener on Family Weekend
09/10/2019 | 4:34:00 | Football
All fans are invited to the Saluki Row Tailgate Zone
CARBONDALE, Ill. — Football is back, as Southern Illinois hosts UT Martin in the home opener on Saturday at 6 p.m. at Saluki Stadium. It's Family Weekend at SIU and all fans are invited to join us in the Saluki Row Tailgate Zone, where the fun begins 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.
BUY TICKETS
Series versus UT Martin
The Salukis and Skyhawks have met eight times with Southern Illinois holding a 7-1 advantage, including a 6-1 mark at home. The last meeting between the schools was a first-round playoff game in Carbondale on Nov. 25, 2006. Nick Hill threw a game-winning 45-yard touchdown pass to Alan Turner in the final minute of the game and Arkee Whitlock rushed for 207 yards and four touchdowns to lead SIU to a 36-30 comeback victory. Early in the third quarter, Southern trailed, 27-7.
Versus FBS opponents
With the win at UMass last week, FCS Southern Illinois improved to 4-31 all-time against FBS opponents. Here are the Saluki wins:
1983 vs. New Mexico State, 41-3
2006 at Indiana, 35-28
2007 at Northern Illinois, 34-31
2019 at UMass, 45-20
SIU head coach Nick Hill was the team's quarterback in the wins at Indiana and NIU, and he combined to complete 31-of-51 passes for 370 yards, 7 TDs and 0 interceptions in those wins. Stone Labanowitz quarterbacked the UMass win and was 19-of-26 for 265 yards, 4 TDs and no interceptions.
RB Javon Williams Jr. is a multi-threat
The reigning MVFC Offensive Player of the Week is RB Javon Williams Jr. (6-1, 239, rFr.). Against UMass on Saturday, he touched the ball nine times (6 carries, 3 catches) for 167 yards. He became just the fourth running back in school history to record 100+ receiving yards, joining Derrick Taylor (1984), Melvin Dukes (1993) and D.J. Davis (2017). His 85-yard TD catch was the third-longest in school history. Williams is also a capable passer, having played quarterback in high school and starting 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 (24) of his Saluki career and last week at UMass picked up career sack number 16.0 to move into ninth 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 26.5 tackles for loss in his career, which is 13th all-time at SIU.
Qua Brown leads nation in 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.) leads the nation in tackles per game (15.0) and solo tackles per game (11.0). He had 16 tackles at SEMO and 14 at UMass. He also has a pair of pass breakups to his credit.
RB D.J. Davis has rushed for 100+ yards in seven of the last 13 games
Dating back to last season RB D.J. Davis (5-8, 170, Sr.) has recorded seven 100-yard rushing games in the last 13 games. In the season opener at SEMO, he rushed for 125 yards and two TDs. Davis 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.
S Jeremy Chinn moves up to 9th in INTs
With an interception at UMass, preseason All-American S Jeremy Chinn (6-3, 212, Sr.) moved into ninth place in interceptions at SIU with his 10th career pick. He is also third in pass breakups (24) and second in forced fumbles (6). A starter since his freshman season, 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.
QB Stone Labanowitz among nation's passing leaders
QB Stone Labanowitz (5-10, 187, So.) ranks second in the conference and 15th in the nation in passing efficiency after two games. A transfer from ASA College (N.Y.), he has completed 64.8 percent of his passes (35-of-54) for 482 yards, 4 TDs and only one interception. He led SIU to a win over UMass with a 19-for-26, 265-yard passing performance.
Dawg Bites
• The Salukis are looking to snap a seven-game home losing streak. The last home win was a 42-7 victory over No. 15-ranked Illinois State on Oct. 14, 2017.
• SIU committed three penalties for 25 yards at UMass — the fewest penalty yards during the Nick Hill era and fewest since committing two for 25 yards vs. Youngstown State on Oct. 24, 2015.
• Southern's offense is evenly balanced with 467 rushing yards and 482 passing yards on the season. They have 19 first downs on the ground and 19 through the air.
• DE Chucky Sullivan (6-2, 241, Jr.) picked up his first two career sacks at UMass.
• After recording one tackle for loss and no sacks at SEMO, the Salukis generated nine TFLs and three sacks at UMass.
TE Nigel Kilby tied for team lead with six catches
One of SIU's most potent targets in the passing game is TE Nigel Kilby (6-8, 243, Sr.). He is tied with D.J. Davis for the team lead in receptions with six. 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 has two 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.
True freshman RB Romeir Elliott shines
RB Romeir Elliott (5-5, 188, Fr.) has carried 16 times for 96 yards (6.0 ave.) through two games. He has five receptions for 31 yards and two TDs. WR Tanner Corum (5-11, 185, Fr.) and S PJ Jules (6-2, 233, Fr.) have also played. True freshmen can play up to four games and still apply for a redshirt.
BUY TICKETS
| UT Martin (1-1) at Southern Illinois (1-1) | |
| Date & Time | Sept. 14, 2019 | 6 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 |
| UT Martin | Game Notes | Stats | Media Guide (PDF) |
| MVFC | Weekly Notes | Stats |
| All-Time Series | Salukis lead 7-1 (H: 5-1, A: 2-0) |
| Social Media | @SIU_Football  | @SIUSalukis  | Saluki Football  |
| Video Channel | Vimeo |
Series versus UT Martin
The Salukis and Skyhawks have met eight times with Southern Illinois holding a 7-1 advantage, including a 6-1 mark at home. The last meeting between the schools was a first-round playoff game in Carbondale on Nov. 25, 2006. Nick Hill threw a game-winning 45-yard touchdown pass to Alan Turner in the final minute of the game and Arkee Whitlock rushed for 207 yards and four touchdowns to lead SIU to a 36-30 comeback victory. Early in the third quarter, Southern trailed, 27-7.
Versus FBS opponents
With the win at UMass last week, FCS Southern Illinois improved to 4-31 all-time against FBS opponents. Here are the Saluki wins:
1983 vs. New Mexico State, 41-3
2006 at Indiana, 35-28
2007 at Northern Illinois, 34-31
2019 at UMass, 45-20
SIU head coach Nick Hill was the team's quarterback in the wins at Indiana and NIU, and he combined to complete 31-of-51 passes for 370 yards, 7 TDs and 0 interceptions in those wins. Stone Labanowitz quarterbacked the UMass win and was 19-of-26 for 265 yards, 4 TDs and no interceptions.
RB Javon Williams Jr. is a multi-threat
The reigning MVFC Offensive Player of the Week is RB Javon Williams Jr. (6-1, 239, rFr.). Against UMass on Saturday, he touched the ball nine times (6 carries, 3 catches) for 167 yards. He became just the fourth running back in school history to record 100+ receiving yards, joining Derrick Taylor (1984), Melvin Dukes (1993) and D.J. Davis (2017). His 85-yard TD catch was the third-longest in school history. Williams is also a capable passer, having played quarterback in high school and starting 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 (24) of his Saluki career and last week at UMass picked up career sack number 16.0 to move into ninth 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 26.5 tackles for loss in his career, which is 13th all-time at SIU.
Qua Brown leads nation in 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.) leads the nation in tackles per game (15.0) and solo tackles per game (11.0). He had 16 tackles at SEMO and 14 at UMass. He also has a pair of pass breakups to his credit.
RB D.J. Davis has rushed for 100+ yards in seven of the last 13 games
Dating back to last season RB D.J. Davis (5-8, 170, Sr.) has recorded seven 100-yard rushing games in the last 13 games. In the season opener at SEMO, he rushed for 125 yards and two TDs. Davis 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.
S Jeremy Chinn moves up to 9th in INTs
With an interception at UMass, preseason All-American S Jeremy Chinn (6-3, 212, Sr.) moved into ninth place in interceptions at SIU with his 10th career pick. He is also third in pass breakups (24) and second in forced fumbles (6). A starter since his freshman season, 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.
QB Stone Labanowitz among nation's passing leaders
QB Stone Labanowitz (5-10, 187, So.) ranks second in the conference and 15th in the nation in passing efficiency after two games. A transfer from ASA College (N.Y.), he has completed 64.8 percent of his passes (35-of-54) for 482 yards, 4 TDs and only one interception. He led SIU to a win over UMass with a 19-for-26, 265-yard passing performance.
Dawg Bites
• The Salukis are looking to snap a seven-game home losing streak. The last home win was a 42-7 victory over No. 15-ranked Illinois State on Oct. 14, 2017.
• SIU committed three penalties for 25 yards at UMass — the fewest penalty yards during the Nick Hill era and fewest since committing two for 25 yards vs. Youngstown State on Oct. 24, 2015.
• Southern's offense is evenly balanced with 467 rushing yards and 482 passing yards on the season. They have 19 first downs on the ground and 19 through the air.
• DE Chucky Sullivan (6-2, 241, Jr.) picked up his first two career sacks at UMass.
• After recording one tackle for loss and no sacks at SEMO, the Salukis generated nine TFLs and three sacks at UMass.
TE Nigel Kilby tied for team lead with six catches
One of SIU's most potent targets in the passing game is TE Nigel Kilby (6-8, 243, Sr.). He is tied with D.J. Davis for the team lead in receptions with six. 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 has two 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.
True freshman RB Romeir Elliott shines
RB Romeir Elliott (5-5, 188, Fr.) has carried 16 times for 96 yards (6.0 ave.) through two games. He has five receptions for 31 yards and two TDs. WR Tanner Corum (5-11, 185, Fr.) and S PJ Jules (6-2, 233, Fr.) have also played. True freshmen can play up to four games and still apply for a redshirt.
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