Southern Illinois University
Incarnate Word
Football opens season at Incarnate Word on Saturday night
08/30/2022 | 10:09:00 | Football
Game will be televised on ESPN+ at 6 PM CT.
The Salukis (0-0) are making their first trip to the state of Texas since 2001 and their 11th trip overall to the Lone Star State. SIU is 2-9 all time in games played in Texas, with wins at Lamar in 1978 and West Texas A&M in 1981. Their most recent trip to Texas was to play at Baylor (Loss, 56-12) in 2001.
Southern Illinois is coming off back-to-back FCS Playoff appearances in 2020 and 2021 and has spent 24-consecutive weeks ranked in the Top 25, including as high as a No. 3 ranking. In its last 22 games, SIU has a record of 8-4 against ranked teams, with wins over the No. 1, No. 2, No. 3, No. 4, No. 15, No. 17, No. 22 and No. 25-ranked programs.
Under the direction of seventh-year head coach Nick Hill, the Salukis return eight starters on offense and five starters on defense. The roster features 27 players who are in their fifth or sixth year of college football.
Salukis in season openers
Nick Hill is 4-2 in season openers. The Salukis opened the season at SEMO last year with a 47-21 win. Since 2010, SIU is 7-5 in season openers, including a 3-5 mark on the road. They are 1-5 all-time when opening on the road against a ranked opponent, with the only win at No. 20 SEMO in 1995.
On this date (Sept. 3)
- Sept. 3, 1983: SIU opened its National Championship season with a 38-6 win at Western Illinois. Donnell Daniel had a 47-yard INT return for a touchdown and the defense held the Leathernecks to 22 rushing yards on 37 carries.
- Sept. 3, 2011: SIU won at SEMO, 38-10, piling up 240 yards rushing yards and 254 passing yards, under the direction of quarterback Paul McIntosh.
- Although twin brothers Avante Cox and D'Ante' Cox have been on the team together for the last two seasons, they've only played together in one game (at SEMO, 9/2/21). D'Ante' missed all of the 2020 season with a knee injury and re-injured the knee versus SEMO, missing the rest of 2021.
- Two Saluki players have played 40+ games in their Saluki careers — LB Ma'kel Calhoun (44) and DT Keenan Agnew (44). Others getting close to the mark include RB Javon Williams Jr. (38), DE Raquan Lindsey (38), RB Justin Strong (37).
- RBs Ro Elliott (1,235), Javon Williams Jr. (2,182) and Justin Strong (892) have combined for 4,309 career rushing yards and 46 rushing TDs.
- LB Ma'kel Calhoun (163) and S PJ Jules (105) are SIU's active leaders in career tackles.
- LB Ma'kel Calhoun (13.5) and DT Keenan Agnew (7.0) are SIU's active leaders in career sacks
- S Clayton Bush (4) and CB David Miller (3) are SIU's active leaders in career interceptions
Payton Award Watch List
Avante Cox, Wide Receiver
Nic Baker, Quarterback
MVFC Preseason All-Conference Team
First Team
Avante Cox, Wide Receiver
Javon Williams Jr., All-Purpose
PJ Jules, Cornerback
Second Team
Jacob Garrett, Fullback
Clayton Bush, Safety
Quoting Coach Hill
"We're excited that it's game week, and we're just excited to get going. We've got a great opponent, I talked to our guys about the opportunity that we have at another season. Our schedule is a tough one and it starts off week one."
(On Incarnate Word's quarterback Lindsey Scott)
"He's a phenomenal player. If you watch his clips and highlights over the last several years, he can make all the throws from the pocket, he's really dangerous running the football. Pro Football Focus ranked him the most dangerous in terms of run efficiency outside the pocket. He rushed for over 900 yards last year. He's just always had an ability from high school and into college of making plays with his feet."
(On opening the season against a ranked team)
"I like it. I think it's a great opportunity for our team. I think that we've got to show our maturity and experience, going on the road, on a flight trip, going to a place we've never been before. We just have to be focused. Our job is to go out there and play the game, and play it at a high level, and come out of there with a win. That's our only focus. You like being tested. You see those games all over the country, where you go out and test yourself, and play in a big-time game. We want to continue to schedule those games at SIU."
(On the implications of the first game)
"This game won't define our season, good or bad. It's a long season and the best teams that are going to win a championship at the end of the year just continue to get better. They found out the things they have to work on, their strengths and weaknesses, and then they've just got to continue to grow and get better."
