Football looks to extend winning streak in trip to South Dakota

Football looks to extend winning streak in trip to South Dakota

10/20/2022 | 10:53:00 | Football

By: By Tom Weber, SIUSalukis.com

CARBONDALE, Ill. — No. 14-ranked Southern Illinois will look to extend its winning streak to six games when it plays at South Dakota on Saturday at 2 p.m. in a game televised on ESPN+.

A six-game winning streak would be the longest at SIU since the team won 11-straight in 2009.

Saluki Notebook

SIU's run defense ranks No. 9 in the country, allowing 80.7 yards per game
The defense ranks No. 4 in sacks per game (3.71).
Javon Williams Jr. has six rushing touchdowns in the last two games, including four versus Western Illinois last week. He has scored 43 total touchdowns in his career (41 rushing, 2 receiving). Tom Koutsos and Arkee Whitlock own the school record (52).
Southern's defense allowed 96 points in the first two games, but only 83 points in the last five games.
RBs Ro Elliott (1,609), Javon Williams Jr. (2,426) and Justin Strong (1,034) have combined for 5,069 career rushing yards and 59 rushing TDs.
WR Avante Cox and FB Jacob Garrett have 4 TD catches to lead the team.
WRs Avante Cox and D'Ante' Cox both topped 100 yards receiving at Missouri State, becoming only the eighth duo in school history to accomplish the feat.
S PJ Jules leads the team in tackles (37) and is also the active career leader in tackles (142).
Thirteen different players have had sacks for SIU this season. Richie Hagarty (5.5) and Dewey Greene (4.0) are the sack leaders.
Six Saluki players have played 40+ games in their Saluki careers — LB Ma'kel Calhoun (51), DT Keenan Agnew (51), RB Javon Williams Jr. (45), FB Jacob Garrett (44), RB Justin Strong (43), DE Raquan Lindsey (41) and Beau Branyan (41).
SIU has won its last six games against in-state schools (Northwestern, Illinois State twice, Western Illinois three times)
The Salukis are 8-4 in their last 12 road games.
The Salukis have the shortest C-QB-RB combination in school history. Center Jacob Caughell is 6-foot, quarterback Nic Baker is 5-foot-9, and running back Ro Elliott is 5-foot-6.
The Salukis have the latest "bye" week in FCS football, with their bye week coming on Nov. 5.