Southern Illinoise University Athletics
SIU Picked Sixth in Preseason MVFC Poll; 13 Named to Watch List
07/14/2026 | 9:00:00 | Football
The voting landed South Dakota State first followed by national championship runner-up Illinois State, Youngstown State, North Dakota, and South Dakota. Northern Iowa, Indiana State, and Murray State rounded out the rankings. The Jackrabbits also earned the vast majority of first-place votes with 28. The Salukis received one top vote.Â
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| Team | First-Place Votes | Total |
| South Dakota State Jackrabbits | 28 | 312 |
| Illinois State Redbirds | 3 | 256 |
| Youngstown State Penguins | - | 235 |
| North Dakota Fighting Hawks | 2 | 211 |
| South Dakota Coyotes | 2 | 196 |
| Southern Illinois Salukis | 1 | 186 |
| Northern Iowa Panthers | - | 99 |
| Indiana State Sycamores | - | 80 |
| Murray State Racers | - | 45 |
Thirteen Salukis were named to the MVFC 2026 Preseason Watch List, led by 2026 Stats Perform FCS Preseason Third Team All-American quarterback DJ Williams. Williams is also on the Walter Payton Award Watch List after finishing eighth in the voting followingthe 2025 season.
The Salukis placed five offensive players on the watch list: offensive linemen Derek Harden and Blaine Halley, wide receiver AllenMiddleton, and running backs Chandler Chapman and Edward Robinson.
On defense, linebackers Chris Presto and Andrew Behm, defensive backs Vinny Pierre and Gavin Shepard, and defensive linemen AmirDwight and Jake Parrella earned recognition. Long snapper Ryan Algrim also was named to the watch list.
This SeasonSIU opens the season at West Florida on Thursday, Aug. 27, then travels to Samford on Thursday, Sept. 3. The Salukis host SEMO in their home opener on Saturday, Sept. 12. It will be SIU's only nonconference home game and will coincide with Family Weekend.
Join the excitement and support the Dawgs at saluk.is/footballseasontickets.
SIU closes nonconference play with a trip to Big Ten opponent Illinois on Sept. 19.
The Salukis open Missouri Valley Football Conference play one week later at Murray State on Sept. 26. It marks the second straight season SIU will travel to Murray, Kentucky, for a conference game.
Youngstown State, led by 2025 Walter Payton Award winner Brungard, visits Carbondale on Oct. 3.
SIU will play three more games before its bye week on Oct. 31. The Salukis travel to South Dakota on Oct. 10 before returning home for back-to-back games against Illinois State on Oct. 17 and Northern Iowa on Oct. 24. The Illinois State game will be featured nationally on ESPN during Homecoming weekend.
After the bye week, SIU travels to Indiana State on Nov. 7 and hosts South Dakota State on Nov. 14. The regular season concludes Nov. 21 at North Dakota.
