SIU returns home for Homecoming against the Fighting Hawks of North Dakota.
North Dakota is coached by former SIU DC Bubba Schweigert and led the Fighting Hawks to the FCS Quarterfinals last season and a 4-1 conference record in their first year in the MVFC. Last season, the Fighting Hawks opened their Spring season with a 44-21 win at home against SIU.
This season, North Dakota is off to a 2-3 start with wins at Idaho State and vs Drake and losses at FBS Utah State, vs North Dakota State, and at South Dakota.
Meet the Fighting Hawks
North Dakota's starting QB is 6'0 Redshirt Sophomore Tommy Schuster. Schuster started all seven games in the Spring season as a Redshirt Freshman and went 4-2 against top 25 teams. This season, Schuster has struggled a little throwing for 1146 yards with 6 touchdowns and 4 interceptions. Schuster was named to the All-MVFC first team in preseason.
The Fighting Hawks leading rusher this season has been 5'10 Junior Otis Weah. Weah scored a touchdown in every game he played in the Spring season and led the MVFC in rushing yards, yards per carry, rushing touchdowns, yards per game, and total touchdowns. This season, Weah has rushed for 304 yards and has 3 rushing touchdowns. Weah was named to the All-MVFC first team in preseason.
Massey Ratings:
Massey Ratings predicts a 31-24 SIU victory and gives SIU a 68% chance of winning
Weather:
As of 10/11,the weather in Carbondale for Saturday looks like this:
A slight chance of showers before 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 64. Northwest wind 6 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph.
Links:
Nick Hill Press Conference 10/10
Mike Reis interview with North Dakota HC Bubba Schweigert
SIU/South Dakota St Radio Highlights
Payback for last year's thumping. I'm worried about a letdown, though. UND isn't as good as last year, but they're for sure capable of pulling off an upset. It'd be nice not to have to rely on a 2nd half comeback ala Illinois State.
Wonder if we'll get Cox back for this game. I don't really think he's needed for this game, so maybe they keep him out and then he gets an extra week to heal with the bye next weekend.
Looking forward to watching Donnavan Spencer again. Dude is a monster. What a pickup that was by Hill. Just wish he had another year.
Payback for last year's thumping. I'm worried about a letdown, though. UND isn't as good as last year, but they're for sure capable of pulling off an upset. It'd be nice not to have to rely on a 2nd half comeback ala Illinois State.
Wonder if we'll get Cox back for this game. I don't really think he's needed for this game, so maybe they keep him out and then he gets an extra week to heal with the bye next weekend.
Looking forward to watching Donnavan Spencer again. Dude is a monster. What a pickup that was by Hill. Just wish he had another year.
No easy wins in this conference. We'll be ready to play, our seniors understand the importance of this one. They're hungry for a conference title and a home playoff game(s)
Payback for last year's thumping. I'm worried about a letdown, though. UND isn't as good as last year, but they're for sure capable of pulling off an upset. It'd be nice not to have to rely on a 2nd half comeback ala Illinois State.
Wonder if we'll get Cox back for this game. I don't really think he's needed for this game, so maybe they keep him out and then he gets an extra week to heal with the bye next weekend.
Looking forward to watching Donnavan Spencer again. Dude is a monster. What a pickup that was by Hill. Just wish he had another year.
This was my worry too...can't come out flat after a big win last weekend. Need to come out early and put it on them. They've struggled offensively, so put them in a hole early and lean on them.
Hill mentioned that if it were up to Avante, he would have played last weekend (not sure if they have said what the injury is specifically other than it's a shoulder injury). It would seem to make sense that he sit again this week so he's ready to go against UNI. I could also see them needing him to suit up due to injuries to other receivers. Haven't heard anything, but Jerron Rollins (he replaced Avante) didn't play much of the second half against SDSU. He got injured on a big catch down the sideline, I think in the 3rd quarter. Hartrup was hobbling around most of the second half as well, but he finished the game so hopefully nothing serious there. We are already without D'Ante for the year, so if Rollins can't play and/or Hartrup has to sit, you really need all the help you can get.
UND is not a pushover, they are 0-2 in the Valley, but one of those loses is to NDSU and the other to a now ranked USD. They also smoked us last year with a lot of the same skill players they have now. I think they've been struggling a bit on the O-Line this year, but if they get going in the run game like last year, it could be a long day.
Let's keep the momentum going!
It’s time for the Southern Illinois region and Alumni to show up for this team. They’ve earned it, they are a tough group of kids, and they deserve our support. There’s no excuse for the #4 team in the country to have anything less than a near-sellout on homecoming. Let’s get Saluki Stadium rockin!
Totally agree trying to get as many people to go to the game as possible. I Encourage everyone on this board to get as many people as possible into going to this game
Anyone know of a place you could donate tickets to? I don't have any, but I'd buy a few if I could donate them.
Will be there. Can't wait. Go Dawgs!
March on triumphantly!
SIU's biggest hurdle this weekend may be between their ears. Hill and the coaching staff have to make sure this team is ready to play right outta the gate and doesn't have a let down following a huge win. Let's Go Dawgs!!
Get out and support the Salukis this weekend.
Any Saluki-Insiders tailgating Saturday?
Gameday!!!
Has anyone found a line on the game?
Looks like it's SIU -11 with U/O at 52.5 on DraftKings.
I'd be inclined to take SIU and the under, but I don't feel too confident with that spread. I think it'll be a competitive game.
