Friday's event begins at 6 p.m. and includes prize drawings, free schedule posters, and a post-practice autograph session. Single-night season tickets start at $35.
The Salukis return six starters on offense and five on defense from last year's team, which finished 8-5 and beat Nichols in the playoffs. Southern has been to the playoffs three times in the past four seasons.
SIU held a true quarterback competition for the first time since. nick baker He took up the position in 2020. hunter simmons and Michael Lindauer Will compete with transfer to Murray State University DJ Williams and a new student jake curry. Simmons missed spring ball with a hamstring injury.
The offensive line, with four starters returning, should be a strength.Veteran guard who has started 38 games in his career. chase evans He has been converted to center this season.guard jake green (Starting 27), Tackle Abode Toure (Starting 19), Guard derek harden (Starting 19 games) Brings a wealth of experience to the line.
Two transfers added who missed last season – Tackle Noah Fenske (Colorado) and guard Marcelo Mendiola (Cincinnati) — SIU should have one of the most formidable offensive lines in the FCS.
Skill positions include a mix of returnees and newcomers.run back Rashaun Lester He is the leading returning tailback with 507 career rushing yards and averaged 5.6 yards per carry in 2023.Transfer to Duquesne eddie robinson Last season, he had great numbers at the FCS level with 662 rushing yards and eight touchdowns.
SIU returns its top wide receiver from last season; Vinson Davis III (54 catches), along with the tight end. aidan quinn (27 catches). Salukis added four transfer wide receivers — Keontez Lewis (Wisconsin), bradley clark (Tennessee Technological University), Nahshon Hezekiah (Howard) and Te Marero (Charleston).
Defensively, the Salukes lost three starting defensive linemen but have them back. dewey green, peyton reeves and Devin Love From rotation.
The linebacker corps returns two starters. dune smith (64 tackles, 4.0 sacks) Colin Bohanek (62 tackles, 6.5 TFL) plus some key transfers. shag walker (Murray) and Jaheim Peak (John Carroll).
safety Ubaid Steed (83 tackles) and cornerback mark davis jr. (3 INTs) becomes the secondary headline.The Salukis have plenty of return depth, including cornerbacks. Jameel Conn and safety iverson brown, Desman Hearns and Sejay Parson.
