No. 10-ranked Salukis host Missouri State on Family Weekend

Calendar

Sep 13

6 PM

Football

UT Martin

Martin, TN

Sep 20

6 PM

Football

Southeast Missouri State

Cape Girardeau, MO

Oct 4

6 PM

Football

Indiana State

Carbondale, IL

Oct 11

2:30 PM

Football

North Dakota State

Fargo, ND

Oct 18

2 PM

Football

North Dakota

Carbondale, IL

Oct 25

2 PM

Football

Northern Iowa

Carbondale, IL

Nov 1

4 PM

Football

Murray State

Murray, KY

Nov 8

1 PM (CT)

Football

Youngstown State

Youngstown, OH

CARBONDALE, Ill. — No. 10-ranked Southern Illinois hosts Missouri State on Saturday at 4 p.m. in the conference opener for both schools. It's also Family Weekend at SIU and a large crowd is anticipated. Purchasing in advance is recommended for best seat selection.

Saluki Athletics is offering a $39 season ticket for the remaining home football games. The discounted seats are located in sections 12-16 of the south end zone and are on-sale through Friday.

The Salukis are 3-0 for the first time since 2014. A win versus Missouri State would give Southern its first 4-0 start since the 2007 opened the season with six-straight victories. That squad was coached by Jerry Kill and quarterbacked by current head coach Nick Hill. The 2007 team went 12-2, including a win at FBS Northern Illinois, and won two playoff games before falling to a Joe Flacco-led Delaware squad in the semifinals.

In an evenly divided series history, SIU leads the all-time series with Missouri State, 23-22. The two teams have split the last 10 meetings, 5-5. Last year, SIU won at Missouri State, 38-21, as the Salukis reeled off 38-straight points after falling behind, 14-0.

After the Salukis host Missouri State on Family Weekend, they have remaining home games versus No. 1-ranked South Dakota State on Homecoming (Oct. 21), South Dakota (Nov. 4) and Indiana State (Nov. 18).

In the last 3+ seasons, SIU has an 11-7 record against FCS ranked teams, has beaten the No. 1, No. 2, No. 3 and No. 4 ranked teams, captured a Power Five win at Northwestern (9/17/22), beaten FBS Northern Illinois (9/9/23), made two FCS Playoff appearances and been ranked 34 weeks ranked in the Top 25 and as high as No. 3.

One of two FCS teams to beat FBS opponents in both 2022 and 2023
Southern Illinois is one of two FCS teams that have beaten FBS opponents in both 2022 and 2023. The Salukis defeated Northwestern last season and beat Northern Illinois this year. Sacramento State beat Colorado State (2022) and Stanford (2023).

Nic Baker chasing SIU passing record
Quarterback Nic Baker has 7,488 career passing yards and needs 407 yards to pass Joel Sambursky and become the all-time passing leader at SIU. With 7,894 yards, Sambursky ranks 14th all-time in conference history. Baker is currently 18th all-time in Valley history.

Safety PJ Jules among nation's leaders
S PJ Jules ranks 2nd in the nation in pass breakups this season with six total (2.0 per game). He is also ranked 13th in the nation in tackles per game (10.7). Both marks lead the MVFC.

Salukis vs. the FBS
Since becoming a I-AA/FCS member in 1982, SIU is 6-36 versus FBS teams. Nick Hill was involved in five of the wins as either a player (Indiana, Northern Illinois) or coach (UMass, Northwestern, Northern Illinois).

Saluki Football in the last 3+ seasons...

11-7 record against FCS ranked teams.
Beat the No. 1, No. 2, No. 3 and No. 4 ranked teams
Power Five win at Northwestern (9/17/22) — the only FCS team to beat a Power Five in 2022
FBS win at Northern Illinois (9/6/23)
Two FCS Playoff appearances
Spring 2021: FCS Playoffs Elite 8
Fall 2021: FCS Playoffs Sweet 16
Thirty-five weeks ranked in the Top 25 and as high as No. 3 (Oct. 25, 2021).

Saluki defense dominates

Ranks 4th in the nation in rushing defense, allowing 62.7 yards per game on the ground.
Ranks 8th in the nation in sacks per game (3.67)
Ranks 14th in the nation in interceptions with five
Ranks 18th in the nation in scoring defense (19.7)
Held three opponents to total of 15