Game Preview: Southern Illinois University

The Jackrabbits finally get into the MVFC part of their schedule when Southern Illinois University (SIU) comes to Brookings for Hobo Day with a 2-2 record.  The Jacks come in with a 3-1 record and both teams should be well rested coming off the bye week.  SIU is always an interesting match-up.  They typically have an explosive offense and have a couple of play makers on the defense that can change the game in just a play.  The 2019 version of the Salukis is pretty much the same.  Nick Hill is in his 4th year as the head coach and has just a 10-23 record. Hill decided to overturn most of his coaching staff after last season in an attempt to turn this once proud program around.

Offense
The SIU offense can score some points, that is nothing new.  This year they are scoring 31.75 ppg through a balanced offense that passes for 217 ypg and runs the ball for 230 ypg.  All of this running and the dink and dunk passing game allows them to really suck up the clock to the tune of 33 minutes and 16 seconds per game.  Even more so, they have only turned the ball over 6 times (4 INT, 2 fumbles).  It will be important for the Jacks to limit the SIU yardage on first and second down so that they have to pass out of 3rd and long. On 3rd down they have converted on 50% of their attempts.

The quarterback of the offense is #3 Kare Lyles who is a transfer from Scottsdale Community College.  Lyles was on the radar of Jackrabbit fans as he was searching for a place to play and the Jacks were searching for a veteran presence in the QB room.  Lyles elevated to the starting position in the Salukis final non-conference game after starter #6 Stone Labanowitz was injured in the 3rd game of the season.  Labanowitz may be back this week but he is a longshot and I don't expect him to play.  Lyles throws the ball well and has the ability to make plays with his feet.  He has completed 29 of 44 with 2 TDs and 2 INTs and rushed for another 35 yards before sacks.  Labanowitz is more of a passer and he has 4 TDs and 489 yards passing while completing 36 of his 56 attempts.

The SIU offense and running back group took a major hit with the injury of #9 D.J. Davis (dislocated elbow). Davis may miss the rest of the season with this injury.  The replacement for Davis's production is #15 Javon Williams Jr (6-1, 239).  On just 47 carries this season he has rushed for 316 yards, good for a 6.7 ypc average and 6 TD and he is also a threat in the passing game having caught 4 passes including an 85 yard touchdown.  Williams can also pass the ball, he was recruited by SIU at QB, so that could be a wrinkle to watch for.  With the loss of Davis, Williams now becomes the top back for an offense that really relies on the run.  The next back in line is true freshman #1 Romeir Elliott (5-5, 188).  Elliot has already pitched-in this season with 27 attempts for 169 yards and 1 TD but missed their last game due to injury.  It sounds like he will play this week.   Because of their similar builds, I'd expect SIU to utilize Elliott much in the same way that they used Davis.

The wide receiver group is lead by All-MVFC Honorable mention selection #17 Landon Lenoir (6-0, 190). Lenoir has 13 receptions for 146 yards on the season.  His partner in crime is #11 Avante Cox (5-10, 175)  who has become the home-run threat for SIU.  He has 12 receptions for 210 yards and 1 TD.  #87 Sam Bonansinga is the third wide receiver in their alignment and he has 7 receptions for 65 yards and 1 TD.  The tight end is position is lead by the large and talented #13 Nigel Kilby (6-8, 243) who has 7 reception for 109 yards and 1 TD.   Kilby is a match-up issue and I'd like to see the Jacks use Levi Brown to eliminate him as an option.

The offensive line for SIU has three returning starters with plenty of experience on the left side but is still breaking in two new starters on the right side.  From left to right they go, #72 Ernest Dye Jr (6-2, 307, Sr), #59 ZeVeyon Furcron (6-1, 320, Jr), #68 Jacob Marnin (6-2, 316, Sr.), #65 Calvin Francis Jr. (6-1, 306, So) and #76 Beau Branyan (6-4, 294, rFr).  As you can see this is a heavy offensive line that is squattier than most.   Because of the running emphasis and quick passing game they are built perfectly for what SIU wants to do.  Due to the scheme and quality of the offensive line they have only allowed 6 sacks on the season.  The Jacks adding to the total may be difficult sledding.  That is why it is so important to slow the run on first and second down.

Defense
The SIU defense has been a challenge for the program for a number of years.  Hill really shook up this side of the ball in the off season and we'll see how they respond.  They have two all-american type of players leading the way but now it is about building around them so this program can turn the corner. The defense is giving up 29.75 ppg and has allowed plenty of yards 146.3 on the ground and 253.75 through the air.  Have are pretty good on 3rd down having allowed just a 36% conversion rate.

The player that must always be accounted for is defensive end #11 Anthony Knighton (6-4, 260).  Knighton has the ability to impact the game as a pass rusher and as a run stuffer. Last season he finished as a 2nd team All-MVFC selection with 8.5 sacks.  The year prior he was recognized as a freshman All-American by Hero Sports and Phil Steel Magazine.  This season he has 11 total tackles and 3 sacks.  The other defensive end spot is manned by #44 Raquan Lindsey (6-2, 247) who has 4 tackles this season.  #58 Chucky Sullivan (6-2, 241) is another DE to watch as he has 13 tackles and 2 sacks from his reserve role.  The interior of the SIU defensive line is manned by #90 Malik Haynes (5-11, 334) and #51 Kyonta Stallworth (6-3, 271).  These are some big dudes with Haynes having 8 tackles and Stallworth 9 on the season.  Sullivan did get nicked up in the Arkansas State game but his status for this week is probable.

The linebacker group is led by senior #29 Cody Crider (5-11, 218) who is second on the team with 29 tackles, 1.5 TFL, and 2 PBUs.  #34 Luke Giegling (6-4, 227) made the all-newcomer team in the MVFC last year and is now 4th on the team in tackles this season with 16 tackles and more importantly 3 sacks.  Joining them is #20 Makel Calhoun (6-3, 216) who has 11 tackles and a sack.  #31 Bryson Strong sees significant playing time and has 13 tackles and a pbu.

The secondary is lead by #2 Jeremy Chinn (6-3, 212) who is on NFL team radars.  He has spent time at both safety and corner in his time at SIU.  He did get dinged up two weeks ago and his status for this week is questionable.  He has made 19 stops and has 2 INTs so far in 2019.  Next to him is #24 Qua Brown who leads the team with 43 total tackles.  When your top two safeties are your first and third leading tacklers it may not be a great sign.  #32 Joe Patterson is the top backup and has notched 12 tackles and a sack on the year.  The corners #25 Madre Harper (6-2, 190) and #7 Tre Strong (6-1, 195) are both seniors and have good size for the position.  Harper has 13 tackles, 1 INT and 2 PBUs, while Strong has 11 tackles, 1 INT, and 5 PBUs.  Harper did get dinged up against Arkansas State but should be good to go this week. The third CB is #22 Jonathan Thompson and he has 11 tackles and 2 PBUs.

Special Teams
The SIU special teams have been okay but not great so far this year. #97 Jack Colquhoun has punted the ball 13 times on a 40 yard average.  He has forced 3 fair catches and landed 3 inside the 20.  On field goals #91 Griffin Cerra has only attempted 2 kicks; with 1 make.  On kickoffs #99 Nico Gualdoni has only forced 2 touchbacks on 23 attempts.  This appears to be by design as they are allowing just a 14.36 yard average on returns.

The return game for SIU is really taking a hit because of the injury to D.J. Davis.  Davis was dynamic on both punts and kickoffs and has hurt the Jacks in previous seasons.  However, the punt return duties this season had been split with his running back replacement Javon Williams Jr..  We'll see if he stays back there following Davis's injury or if SIU will try to protect Williams given the limited depth.  Williams Jr. has 4 attempts for a 10 yard average.  I kick-offs #5 Je'Quan Burton has 8 attempts for 154 yards or a 19.25 average.

Prediction
Jacks- 38
Salukis- 14

Go Jacks and Happy Hobo Week!
Matt