Pretty much a must-win if SIU wants to make the playoffs this year. Indiana State is 4-5 this season (2-4 in the MVFC) with wins vs Eastern Illinois, @ Eastern Kentucky, vs Western Illinois, and vs Youngstown State and losses at Northwestern, vs South Dakota State, at South Dakota, at Missouri State, and at North Dakota State. Indiana State comes in off a bye week.
The Sycamores are coached by 5th year head coach Curt Mallory and have gone 16-27. Indiana State sat out last season due to COVID-19.
Meet the Sycamores:
The Sycamores have used 2 quarterbacks a little this year but 6'1 Redshirt Senior Anthony Thompson has played the most. Thompson was a 2 star recruit out of Mount Carmel HS in Chicago and spent 4 years at Northern Illinois not getting much action before transferring to Indiana State. This season, Thompson has struggled throwing for 1,134 passing yards with 6 passing touchdowns and 6 interceptions and rushing for 2 touchdowns. Thompson was hurt in the loss to North Dakota State so not sure what his status for Saturday is. If Thompson doesn't go, it'll be 6'0 Redshirt Junior Kurtis Wilderman. Wilderman has played in 5 games and has thrown for 350 passing yards with 1 passing touchdown and 2 interceptions.
Indiana State's leading rusher this season has been 5'9 Senior Peterson Kerlegrand. Kerlegrand started his college career as a cornerback before transitioning over to running back. This season he's rushed for 713 yards and 5 rushing touchdowns and has also added 7 catches for 103 receiving yards. In 2019, he had a career-high 4 receptions against Southern Illinois.
The Sycamores leading receiver this season has been 6'2 Senior Phazione McClurge. McClurge spent three seasons at Cornell where he transitioned from a cornerback to a wide receiver. In 2020, McClurge was an All-Ivy League selection when he caught 41 passes for 677 yards and three touchdowns in 10 games. This season with Indiana State, he's caught 29 passes for 358 yards and 3 touchdowns.
6'3 Redshirt Junior wide receiver Dante Hendrix was named to the honorable mention All-MVFC Preseason team but has missed a bunch of games this year. Hendrix was able to return a few weeks ago for the Missouri State game and has produced a bunch in his 3 games since returning.
The best defensive player this season for Indiana State has been 6'4 Redshirt Senior Inoke Moala. Moala leads the Sycamores with 8 sacks and 12.5 tackles for losses. Moala was named to the honorable mention all-MVFC preseason team.
Massey Ratings:
Massey Ratings predicts a 34-20 SIU victory and gives the Salukis an 81% chance of winning.
Weather:
As of 11/8 the current weather for Terre Haute, IN looks like this:
Partly sunny, with a high near 43.
Links:
SIU Game Notes
Indiana State Game Notes
new week, new opportunity. time to get back to basics and roll someone!
great work on the preview salukiworld!!
Craving a McBride Special!
Herosports has SIU as one of the last 4 teams in with Northern Iowa:
https://herosports.com/fcs-football-2021-playoff-predictions-10-bzbz/
Game is on 792 Directv.
Must win for playoffs hopes. Sad that that is the case compared to where we were a couple weeks ago.
I'd love to see us come out and blow ISU out, but I'd be happy with just a win and a solid performance from Baker to give me confidence in him going forward.
I wonder how healthy Cox is going into this game.
Agree.....these last two games are MUST WINS! Just like the basketball team, the football team needs to play to their potential (not the other team's potential) for ALL 4 quarters. Time to get a big win today! GO DAWGS!!
Does Indy St really not have stands on the visitor side of the stadium? Looks worse than most high schools.
Does Indy St really not have stands on the visitor side of the stadium? Looks worse than most high schools.
I’m just upset it’s on 3 and not Plus because I have to watch it on IPad.
But yeah it’s an embarrassing look.
We are lucky SIU has what it has. I-AA football isn’t a big seller.
Decent drive to start, but Baker locks onto his primary receiver despite the coverage and nearly threw two picks because of it. He got bailed out on the pass interference.
Good to see Cox get back into action. Hell of a grab in the endzone.
Does Indy St really not have stands on the visitor side of the stadium? Looks worse than most high schools.
I was thinking the same thing. Western Kentucky was like that before they started wearing Big Boy Pants. I remember Killer saying he could look behind the bench area and see deer.
And now we understand why Reis hates going to Terre Haute
"The bureaucratic mentality is the only constant in the universe." ~Dr. Leonard H. McCoy
Thier PA announcer is already annoying me....
THIRRRRRRRRD DOWWWWWWWWN.
"The bureaucratic mentality is the only constant in the universe." ~Dr. Leonard H. McCoy
Gualdoni figgie 13-0 Southern.
"The bureaucratic mentality is the only constant in the universe." ~Dr. Leonard H. McCoy
And here we go letting a team back into a game after our offense stalls and a special teams mistake and a personal foul flag.
"The bureaucratic mentality is the only constant in the universe." ~Dr. Leonard H. McCoy
