News | Saluki Football hosts Friday Night Lights in Du Quoin this week
04/01/2024 | 1:31:00 | Football
For one night only, season-ticket pricing starts at $35.
CARBONDALE, Ill. — Saluki Football will host "Friday Night Lights" at Du Quoin High School this week — an intrasquad practice that's open to the public and includes the opportunity for first-time buyers to purchase season tickets at half price.
Friday's event starts at 6 p.m. and will include drawings for prizes, free schedule posters and autograph signing after practice. For one night only, season-ticket pricing starts at $35.
The Salukis return six starters on offense and five on defense from last year's team that finished 8-5 and won a playoff game over Nicholls. Southern has made three playoff appearances in the last four seasons.
SIU has a true quarterback competition for the first time since Nic Baker claimed the job in 2020. Returnees Hunter Simmons and Michael Lindauer will compete with Murray State transfer DJ Williams and freshman Jake Curry.
The offensive line should be a strength, where four starters return. With 38 career starts to his credit, veteran guard Chase Evans moves to center this season. Guard Jake Green (27 starts), tackle Abdou Toure (19 starts) and guard Derek Harden (19 starts) bring a wealth of experience to the line.
The addition of two transfers who sat out last season — tackle Noah Fenske (Colorado) and guard Marcelo Mendiola (Cincinnati) — should give SIU one of the most formidable offensive lines in the FCS.
The skill positions will feature a mix of returnees and newcomers. Running back Lashaun Lester is the top returnee at tailback with 507 career rushing yards, including a 5.6 yard average per carry in 2023. Duquesne transfer Eddie Robinson put up big numbers at the FCS level last season with 662 rushing yards and eight touchdowns.
SIU returns its top wide receiver from last season, Vinson Davis III (54 catches), along with tight end Aidan Quinn (27 catches). The Salukis added four transfer wide receivers — Keontez Lewis (Wisconsin), Bradley Clark (Tennessee Tech), Nah'shawn Hezekiah (Howard) and Tae Marrero (Charleston).
Defensively, the Salukis lose their three starting defensive linemen, but return Dewey Greene, Peyton Reeves and Devin Love from the rotation.
The linebacker corps returns a pair of starters in Dune Smith (64 tackles, 4.0 sacks) and Colin Bohanek (62 tackles, 6.5 TFL) and adds a couple of key transfers in Shug Walker (Murray State) and Jahiem Peake (John Carroll).
Safety Ubayd Steed (83 tackles) and cornerback Mark Davis Jr. (3 INTs) headline the secondary. The Salukis have plenty of returning depth, including cornerback Jamir Conn and safeties Iverson Brown, Desman Hearns and Cejai Parson.
Friday's event starts at 6 p.m. and will include drawings for prizes, free schedule posters and autograph signing after practice. For one night only, season-ticket pricing starts at $35.
The Salukis return six starters on offense and five on defense from last year's team that finished 8-5 and won a playoff game over Nicholls. Southern has made three playoff appearances in the last four seasons.
SIU has a true quarterback competition for the first time since Nic Baker claimed the job in 2020. Returnees Hunter Simmons and Michael Lindauer will compete with Murray State transfer DJ Williams and freshman Jake Curry.
The offensive line should be a strength, where four starters return. With 38 career starts to his credit, veteran guard Chase Evans moves to center this season. Guard Jake Green (27 starts), tackle Abdou Toure (19 starts) and guard Derek Harden (19 starts) bring a wealth of experience to the line.
The addition of two transfers who sat out last season — tackle Noah Fenske (Colorado) and guard Marcelo Mendiola (Cincinnati) — should give SIU one of the most formidable offensive lines in the FCS.
The skill positions will feature a mix of returnees and newcomers. Running back Lashaun Lester is the top returnee at tailback with 507 career rushing yards, including a 5.6 yard average per carry in 2023. Duquesne transfer Eddie Robinson put up big numbers at the FCS level last season with 662 rushing yards and eight touchdowns.
SIU returns its top wide receiver from last season, Vinson Davis III (54 catches), along with tight end Aidan Quinn (27 catches). The Salukis added four transfer wide receivers — Keontez Lewis (Wisconsin), Bradley Clark (Tennessee Tech), Nah'shawn Hezekiah (Howard) and Tae Marrero (Charleston).
Defensively, the Salukis lose their three starting defensive linemen, but return Dewey Greene, Peyton Reeves and Devin Love from the rotation.
The linebacker corps returns a pair of starters in Dune Smith (64 tackles, 4.0 sacks) and Colin Bohanek (62 tackles, 6.5 TFL) and adds a couple of key transfers in Shug Walker (Murray State) and Jahiem Peake (John Carroll).
Safety Ubayd Steed (83 tackles) and cornerback Mark Davis Jr. (3 INTs) headline the secondary. The Salukis have plenty of returning depth, including cornerback Jamir Conn and safeties Iverson Brown, Desman Hearns and Cejai Parson.
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