Saturday, September 21
Jonesboro, AR
6:00 PM
Southern Illinois University
at
Arkansas St.
Football travels to Arkansas State looking for second FBS win
09/17/2019 | 3:07:00 | Football
CARBONDALE, Ill. — Southern Illinois is back on the road this week, looking for its second FBS win of the season when it plays at Sun Belt Conference opponent Arkansas State on Saturday. The Salukis (2-1) have already beaten FBS UMass on Sept. 7 and have never beaten two FBS teams in the same season. The game will be televised live on ESPN3.
Arkansas State — another FBS opponent
For the first time since 1993 and just the sixth time in school history, the Salukis have two FBS opponents on their schedule in the same season. They have never beaten two FBS teams in the same year. With the win at UMass on Sept. 7, 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 QB in the wins at Indiana and NIU, and he combined to complete 31-of-51 passes for 370 yards, 7 TDs and 0 interceptions. Stone Labanowitz guided the UMass win and was 19-of-26 for 265 yards, 4 TDs and no interceptions.
Series versus Arkansas State
The Salukis and Red Wolves have met 37 times, with Arkansas State holding a 27-9-1 advantage in the series. The last meeting between the schools was on Sept. 16, 1995. In that game, Arkansas State won, 14-9, and running back Karlton Carpenter led the Salukis with 78 yards rushing and 46 yards receiving. Carpenter will be inducted into the Saluki Hall of Fame on Oct. 18 during Homecoming weekend. ASU has won the last six meetings. SIU's last win was a 45-43 shootout on Oct. 1, 1988 in Carbondale. The teams combined for 539 rushing yards in the contest.
Karé Lyles takes over at QB
Junior college transfer Karé Lyles (6-1, 225, Jr.) will make his first-career start on Saturday. He came on for the second series against UT Martin after starter QB Stone Labanowitz (5-10, 187, So.) hurt his right shoulder. Labanowitz will be out 4-6 weeks. After throwing an interception on his first pass, Lyles completed 10-of-12 passes the rest of the way for 92 yards. Lyles began his career at Wisconsin, then transferred to Scottsdale Community College in 2018, where he completed 146-of-230 passes (63.5%) for 2,291 yards, 23 touchdowns and 10 interceptions last season.
S Jeremy Chinn moves up to 7th in INTs
With an interception versus UT Martin, preseason All-American S Jeremy Chinn (6-3, 212, Sr.) moved into seventh place in interceptions at SIU with his 11th 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.
RB Javon Williams Jr. 2nd in the nation in touchdowns
RB Javon Williams Jr. (6-1, 239, rFr.) has scored six touchdowns in three games and ranks second in the nation in the FCS in TDs. He trails only Abilene Christian's Tracy James (7). Williams also ranks seventh in yards per carry (7.1). 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 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 (25) of his Saluki career and last week versus UT Martin picked up career sack number 17.0 to move into sixh 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 27.5 tackles for loss in his career, which is 12th all-time at SIU.
RB D.J. Davis leads MVFC in all-purpose yards
RB D.J. Davis (5-8, 170, Sr.) leads the MVFC in all-purpose yards per game (150.67) and ranks third all-time in school history (4,596) in career all-purpose yards (rushing, receiving, return yardage). Davis has recorded eight 100-yard rushing games in the last 14 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.
Qua Brown 2nd in the nation in solo tackles
Although Jeremy Chinn tops the headlines as one of the nation's top safeties and NFL prospects, S Qua Brown (5-11, 203, Jr.) is second in the nation in solo tackles per game (9.0) and fourth in total tackles (12.3). He had 16 tackles at SEMO and 14 at UMass. He also has a pair of pass breakups to his credit.
Dawg Bites
• SIU's defense did not allow points in eight-consecutive drives to end the game versus UT Martin — the longest streak since holding Mississippi Valley State scoreless on 12-straight drives on Sept. 9, 2017.
• The Salukis have scored only seven points in the first quarter this year, but have out-scored opponents, 102-58, in quarters 2-through-4.
• Saluki running backs Javon Williams Jr. (6), D.J. Davis (4) and Romeir Elliott (2) have combined to score 12 of SIU's 14 touchdowns.
• The Salukis lead the nation in kickoff return defense, allowing 10.55 yards per return.
• SIU's 3rd down conversion percentage (.512) ranks 10th in the nation and is much improved over last year's mark (.394).
• Javon Williams Jr. and D.J. Davis both rushed for 100+ yards vs. UT Martin, marking the 27th time two SIU runners have topped 100 yards in the same game.
• TE Brody Parker (6-6, 250, rFr.) changed positions and jersey numbers last week. He was an offensive tackle wearing No. 57 and now wears No. 85. He made his first-career start and his first-career appearance versus UT Martin.
• The Salukis used DE Jordan Berner (6-5, 253, Jr.) and G ZeVeyon Furcron (6-1, 320, Jr.) as lead fullbacks during the UT Martin game.
• After recording one tackle for loss and no sacks at SEMO, the Salukis have generated 17.0 TFLs and 7.0 sacks in the last two games.
| Southern Illinois (2-1) at Arkansas State (1-2) | |
| Date & Time | Sept. 21, 2019 | 6 p.m. CT |
| Location | Jonesboro, Ark. | Centennial Bank Stadium (30,406) |
| TV/Video Stream | ESPN3, Roger Twibell, Pete Cordelli |
| Live Stats | Provided by Arkansas State |
| Radio | Saluki Radio Network Mike Reis, Gene Green |
| Radio Stream | TuneIn (free) |
| Southern Illinois | Game Notes (PDF) | Stats | Media Guide |
| Arkansas State | Game Notes (PDF) | Stats | Media Guide |
| MVFC | Weekly Notes | Stats |
| All-Time Series | Salukis trail, 9-27-1 (H: 5-12-1, A: 4-15) |
| Social Media | @SIU_Football  | @SIUSalukis  | Saluki Football  |
| Video Channel | Vimeo |
Arkansas State — another FBS opponent
For the first time since 1993 and just the sixth time in school history, the Salukis have two FBS opponents on their schedule in the same season. They have never beaten two FBS teams in the same year. With the win at UMass on Sept. 7, 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 QB in the wins at Indiana and NIU, and he combined to complete 31-of-51 passes for 370 yards, 7 TDs and 0 interceptions. Stone Labanowitz guided the UMass win and was 19-of-26 for 265 yards, 4 TDs and no interceptions.
Series versus Arkansas State
The Salukis and Red Wolves have met 37 times, with Arkansas State holding a 27-9-1 advantage in the series. The last meeting between the schools was on Sept. 16, 1995. In that game, Arkansas State won, 14-9, and running back Karlton Carpenter led the Salukis with 78 yards rushing and 46 yards receiving. Carpenter will be inducted into the Saluki Hall of Fame on Oct. 18 during Homecoming weekend. ASU has won the last six meetings. SIU's last win was a 45-43 shootout on Oct. 1, 1988 in Carbondale. The teams combined for 539 rushing yards in the contest.
Karé Lyles takes over at QB
Junior college transfer Karé Lyles (6-1, 225, Jr.) will make his first-career start on Saturday. He came on for the second series against UT Martin after starter QB Stone Labanowitz (5-10, 187, So.) hurt his right shoulder. Labanowitz will be out 4-6 weeks. After throwing an interception on his first pass, Lyles completed 10-of-12 passes the rest of the way for 92 yards. Lyles began his career at Wisconsin, then transferred to Scottsdale Community College in 2018, where he completed 146-of-230 passes (63.5%) for 2,291 yards, 23 touchdowns and 10 interceptions last season.
S Jeremy Chinn moves up to 7th in INTs
With an interception versus UT Martin, preseason All-American S Jeremy Chinn (6-3, 212, Sr.) moved into seventh place in interceptions at SIU with his 11th 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.
RB Javon Williams Jr. 2nd in the nation in touchdowns
RB Javon Williams Jr. (6-1, 239, rFr.) has scored six touchdowns in three games and ranks second in the nation in the FCS in TDs. He trails only Abilene Christian's Tracy James (7). Williams also ranks seventh in yards per carry (7.1). 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 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 (25) of his Saluki career and last week versus UT Martin picked up career sack number 17.0 to move into sixh 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 27.5 tackles for loss in his career, which is 12th all-time at SIU.
RB D.J. Davis leads MVFC in all-purpose yards
RB D.J. Davis (5-8, 170, Sr.) leads the MVFC in all-purpose yards per game (150.67) and ranks third all-time in school history (4,596) in career all-purpose yards (rushing, receiving, return yardage). Davis has recorded eight 100-yard rushing games in the last 14 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.
Qua Brown 2nd in the nation in solo tackles
Although Jeremy Chinn tops the headlines as one of the nation's top safeties and NFL prospects, S Qua Brown (5-11, 203, Jr.) is second in the nation in solo tackles per game (9.0) and fourth in total tackles (12.3). He had 16 tackles at SEMO and 14 at UMass. He also has a pair of pass breakups to his credit.
Dawg Bites
• SIU's defense did not allow points in eight-consecutive drives to end the game versus UT Martin — the longest streak since holding Mississippi Valley State scoreless on 12-straight drives on Sept. 9, 2017.
• The Salukis have scored only seven points in the first quarter this year, but have out-scored opponents, 102-58, in quarters 2-through-4.
• Saluki running backs Javon Williams Jr. (6), D.J. Davis (4) and Romeir Elliott (2) have combined to score 12 of SIU's 14 touchdowns.
• The Salukis lead the nation in kickoff return defense, allowing 10.55 yards per return.
• SIU's 3rd down conversion percentage (.512) ranks 10th in the nation and is much improved over last year's mark (.394).
• Javon Williams Jr. and D.J. Davis both rushed for 100+ yards vs. UT Martin, marking the 27th time two SIU runners have topped 100 yards in the same game.
• TE Brody Parker (6-6, 250, rFr.) changed positions and jersey numbers last week. He was an offensive tackle wearing No. 57 and now wears No. 85. He made his first-career start and his first-career appearance versus UT Martin.
• The Salukis used DE Jordan Berner (6-5, 253, Jr.) and G ZeVeyon Furcron (6-1, 320, Jr.) as lead fullbacks during the UT Martin game.
• After recording one tackle for loss and no sacks at SEMO, the Salukis have generated 17.0 TFLs and 7.0 sacks in the last two games.
Players Mentioned
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