The Jackrabbits (6-0) hit the road for a two game road trip to take on the Southern Illinois Salukis (5-1). SIU got off to a hot start this season with four wins over a good Austin Peay, FBS Northern Illinois, ranked SEMO, and Missouri State. However, two weeks ago they were dominated by Youngstown State (3-31) before getting right this past week against Murray State. The last time SDSU visited Carbondale was the memorable “Big Fish” game where SDSU came out victorious 44-3 in game where SDSU truly dominated from start to finish.
SIU is still coached by Nick Hill who has really kept SIU moving forward after a disappointing 2022. On the outside, this was supposed to be more of a rebuilding year for the Salukis so there record is a bit of a surprise at this point in the season. This is SIU’s homecoming so I expect a full house and rowdy crowd that will be ready to upend the reigning national champions.
Offense
The SIU offense is predicated on the pass as it has an experienced QB and a full arsenal of pass catchers. They averaged 231 yards per game passing and 120 yards per game rushing on their way to scoring 25 points per game. One interesting thing about SIU is that their offensive scoring really varied. Through their six contests they have scored 49, 14, 26, 33, 3, and 27 points so far this season. I don’t trust that average and I don’t know how explosive they truly are. They are not good on 3rd down converting on just 30% of their 3rd down opportunities. They are efficient in the redzone and have scored on 19 of 21 visits, 14 of which were TDs.
#8 Nic Baker (5-9, 202) is now a senior and he has really played like it this season. He has completed 66.88% of his passes for 1,341 yards, 7 TDs and 3 INTs. He is also extremely slippery and navigates the pocket well. He has 142 gross rushing yards and 1 TD in 2023. Honestly, he is one of my favorite QBs to watch in the Valley because of how he plays. He puts my stomach in knots when he plays the Jacks but I really love his toughness and moxy.
The Salukis’ number 1 running back #1 Ro Elliott (5-6, 175) has been out with a turf toe injury since halftime of their game against Missouri State on September 30th. There has been no indication as to when he will return, so it will be interesting to see if he plays this Saturday. In his absence, #6 Justin Strong (6-0, 205) has taken the lead role. Elliot still leads the team with 270 yards (6.4 ypc) and 5 TDs with Strong right behind tallying 199 yards (5.2 ypc) and 3 TDs. Both are threats in the receiving game with Elliott having 9 receptions for 78 yards while Strong has had 10 receptions for 73 yards. Reserve running back #3 Jaelin Benefield (5-11, 174) does have 10 receptions for 111 yards and 1 TD including a 54 yarder.
Baker has a very talented group of pass catchers to use. The teams leading receiver is #5 Izaiah Hartrup (6-0, 183) who has 28 receptions for 340 yards and 3 TDs. Next up is Charleston Southern transfer #11 Vinson Davis (5-8, 168) who has 29 receptions for 329 yards and 1 TD. Davis works best in small spaces but has the ability to house one as evidenced by his long reception of 68 yards. The mystery man is #2 D’Ante Cox (6-0, 180) who has not played since the SEMO game on September 16th and has been dealing with a knee injury. In 3 games, he had 10 receptions for 99 yards. #14 Zach Gibson (6-5, 217 brings some size to the room and has 7 receptions for 101 yards. #41 Aidan Quinn (6-1, 226) is an undersized tight end but has been productive in the passing game with 16 receptions for 194 yards and 1 TD.
This offensive line for the Salukis has started every game this season and has allowed 16 sacks. From left to right they go #79 Jake Green (6-5, 321, Jr), #68 Derek Harden Jr. (6-3, 323, So), #63 Jacob Caughell (6-0, 267, Jr), #62 Chase Evans (6-4, 292, Jr), and #70 Abdou Toure (6-6, 310, Jr). Green, Harden, and Toure all played significantly in 2022 earning numerous starts while Caughell and Evans are multi-year starters. Why this group has seemingly struggled so much in 2023 is a mystery to me.
Defense
The SIU defense has been a surprise bright spot for SIU. Early in the off season they lost their defensive coordinator to NDSU. Then weeks before the season started, they lost their new defensive coordinator to Northwestern after David Braun was promoted to interim head coach. SIU plays a 3-3-5 defense and the three safeties play all over the place. The group allows just 19.3 points per game, 69 ypg rushing, and 230 ypg receiving. They have forced 11 turnovers (6 INT and 5 fumble recoveries), have 21 sacks, and have been especially stout in the redzone allowing TDs on just 6 of 16 redzone visits. They have been okay on 3rd down allowing opponents to convert 37.21% of the time.
I’m very curious about SIUs scheme talent fit. Much like UND, the Saluki defensive line is small. In 3 man front you need bigger defensive ends that can hold up at the line of scrimmage and allow the linebackers to flow and make plays. This worked in the non-conference portion of the schedule but YSU exposed them two weeks ago. The nose tackle #96 Kam Bowdry (6-2, 291) has good size and good production for a nose tackle. He has 16 tackles, 3.5 TFL, and 1.5 sacks. The ends are Fayetteville State transfer #2 Devin Cowan (6-3, 222) and EIU transfer #97 Tim Varga (6-4, 247). Cowan has 14 tackles and 3.5 sacks while Varga has 14 tackles, 3 sacks, and 2 PBUs. #93 Dante Cleveland (6-4, 298) and #98 Dewey Greene (6-2, 242) are key reserves and have combined for 21 stops on the year. #90 Peyton Reeves (6-2, 317) was a highly regarded recruit and now is in his 3rd year in the program. He has 5 tackles on the year.
The trio of Saluki linebackers is active and all 3 are in the top-5 in tackles. #16 Collin Bohanek (6-0, 236) is second on the team with 36 stops, 4.5 TFL, and 1.5 sacks from his middle linebacker position. He is yet another EIU transfer and he has made an impact on this defense. The outside backers are former Pitt transfer #8 Dune Smith (5-10, 197) and #12 Branson Combs (6-3, 222). Combs has been around forever and has 35 stops, 4 TFL, 2 sacks and 2 PBU. Smith has 28 tackles, 4 TFL, 1.5 sacks, and 2 QBH. #10 Zach Burrola (6-0, 221) is a super sub and the guy they bring on the field when they switch to a 3-4 look. He has 31 tackles, 6.5 TFL, 3 sacks and a forced fumble.
The star of the defense is #4 PJ Jules (6-1, 209). Jules is a stud and will play all over the field and cause havoc. He has 55 total tackles, 8.5 TFL, 7 PBU, and 2 QBH. Towson transfer #7 Ubayd Steed (5-11, 188) has 27 tackles, 2 INT, and 2 PBU from his safety position. The 3rd safety is Illinois State transfer #1 Iverson Brown (6-2, 207) who has 15 tackles and 1 sack. #27 Desman Hearns (6-1, 184) has 13 tackles and an INT in a reserve role. At cornerback SIU has two experienced players in #17 Mark Davis Jr. (6-2, 196) and #9 DJ Johnson (6-0, 171). Davis is in his first year starting after being a key reserve in 2022 and has 16 tackles, 1.5 TFL, 2 INT, and 5 PBU. Johnson has 16 tackles, 4 TFL, and 7 PBU, and 2 INT.
Special Teams
The SIU special teams has been solid but not spectacular this season. #99 Nathan Torney is in his second year as the punter. Last year he had a 37.7 yard average and this year it is up slightly to 38.29 yards on 28 attempts. He has just 1 touchback, forced 13 to be faircaught, landed 5 inside the 20 and has sent 5- 50+ yards. The punt coverage for SIU has been good as opponents are averaging nearly 7.25 yards per return with a long of just 19 yards.
The kicking duties are done by #97 Thomas Burks. He is just 5 of 6 on field goals with a long of 36 yards and his miss came from 40+. On kickoffs he has a 59 yard average with just 3 touchbacks on 25 yards. The kick coverage for SIU has been really solid as opponents are averaging 17 yards per return with a long of just 38 yards.
In the return game, SIU has been okay. Vinson Davis III has 12 kickoff return attempts for a 21 yard average and a long of 34. In the punt return game, reserve wide receiver #82 Mitchell Dayton has 3 attempts for 6 yards with a long of 5. However, SIU has blocked 1 punt this year.
Prediction
The Jackrabbits face another tough road test. This SIU team is interesting because they have built a very good record but looked so bad vs. YSU. On paper, they don’t matchup well with SDSU. However, it is the Valley and anything can happen on any given week. It is their homecoming and facing the #1 team in the country always provides extra motivation.
Jackrabbits 45- Salukis 20
Go Jacks!
Matt
