Spring 2021 Playoff Preview: SIU round 2

It feels like I was just writing the regular season preview for SIU wondering what Jackrabbit team would show up.  The week prior had been an ugly win against YSU and it seemed like the offense was in the midst of an identity crisis and that the defense hadn't fully committed to stopping the run.  I think we can look back at the regular season matchup with SIU as a turning point for the season as the Jacks walked away with a 44-3 victory.  Since then the Jackrabbits have looked dominant in their two wins and SIU lost at Missouri State, had two games cancelled, and then won a shootout vs. SELA 55-48 that got them into the playoffs.  In the first round of the playoffs they pulled a mild upset knocking off Weber State 34-31 in Ogden, Utah.  

As I wrote in the first preview, SIU has tons of talent on offense and if they can avoid turnovers is really dangerous.  The defense is also talented but has not been able to put together a complete game since the first matchup with SDSU.   

Offense

The offense is rushing the ball for 192.6 yards per game utilizing three different running backs and the passing game is up to 230 yards per game. SIU has turned the ball over this season as they do take a number of risks through the air.  They have 11 INTs and 8 fumbles.  However, their bread and butter is still running the ball and it shows with them holding the edge on time of possession for 30:14 per game.  They are also pretty good on third down converting on 52.42% of attempts and have scored on 31 of 35 trips in the red zone including 23 TDs. 

At quarterback the mess that they had going into the first matchup has sorted itself out.  #6 Stone Labanowitz (5-10, 195) has been the starter since getting benched in the first matchup for #3 Kare Lyles.  Labanowitz has completed 73.28% of his passes, which is really outstanding, for 994 yards, 7 TD, and just 2 INT (including 1 in the first matchup and 1 against Weber St).  He is also a capable runner and has 110 yards (prior to sacks) with 1 rushing TD.  In the first matchup it felt like he was about to be sacked a number of times but was able to evade the pressure.  He does still tend to throw it up and really trust his receivers.  He's not the biggest or the most talented but he is a very good football player that plays with a lot of heart and moxie.      

The running back group is certainly a strength for SIU.  However, injuries have created some uncertainty.  #15 Javon Williams Jr. (6-2, 245) is one of the best backs in the MVFC and is a load to bring down.  On the season he leads the Salukis with 507 yards and 7 TD.  He lined up as the wildcat quarterback at times and does have the ability to pass the ball. He has completed 7 of 12 passes for 168 yards and 3 TD. His best game of the season came against SELA when he ran for 150 yards on 24 attempts and 2 TD but suffered a concussion.  Due to the concussion he did not play against Weber but it sounds like he has already been cleared to play this week.  #1 Romeir Elliott (5-6, 190) has run the ball 117 times for 491 yards and 4 TD.  However, he has been hampered by a hamstring injury and appeared less than 100% in the first round.  The third back in the group is #5 Justin Strong (6-0, 215). Strong has 65 carries for 370 yards and 2 TD and had a nice performance against WSU as the lead dog.  Strong is also an excellent receiver and is third on the team with 25 receptions for 257 yards and 3 TD.  

The tight end group has two guys who are more block first types but they also can catch the ball.  The two are #43 Jacob Garrett (6-2, 245) and #18 Levi Mitchell (6-5, 229) and both see plenty of action with Garrett at H-Back and Mitchell at tight end. Garrett has just 4 receptions but for 82 yards (long of 56) and a TD while Mitchell has just 3 receptions for 49 yards.   

The offensive line for SIU has a different right guard than the first matchup.  Against WSU from left to right they went #76 Beau Branyan (6-2, 295), #59 ZeVeyon Furcron (6-2, 327), #65 Calvin Francis, Jr. (6-1, 328), #62 Chase Evans (6-3, 277), and #74 Lucas Davis (6-4, 288).  This group is really strong on the left side with Furcron being a multi year All-MVFC selection.  This group has allowed 14 sacks this season including 4 against Weber State. In the first matchup the Jackrabbits had just 1 sack but did get 4 more QBHs.     

Defense

The SIU defense has really been a tale of two seasons. Coming into the first matchup they were allowing 22.60 points per game, 194.6 yards per game on the ground and just 135.6 through the air.  However, since that game (including the SDSU matchup) they have allowed 38.25 ppg, 208.75 ypg rushing, and 247 ypg through the air.  I don't know if this is due to better competition or injuries or something else but they have not been the same since playing SDSU.  SIU has allowed a 44% conversion rate on third down and opponents have scored on 37 of 42 attempts in the red zone but have just 27 touchdowns. 

This SIU defensive line has been hit hard with injuries.  Starters Tylen Driver and Chucky Sullivan have been lost for the season due to injuries.  The defense is led by defensive end #11 Anthony Knighton (6-4, 251).  Knighton has 31 tackles and 1 sack on the year but seems due to have a big game because in his career he has 22.5 sacks.  Joining him at the other defensive end position is #44 Raquan Lindsey (6-2, 245) who has 15 tackles and a sack since joining the starting lineup.  #92 Jordan Berner (6-5, 255) has 20 tackles, 3 sacks and six TFL on the year and has a long frame that allowed him to block 3 passes.  With the injuries along the defensive line he has shifted inside and has been just as disruptive.  The other interior defensive linemen is #56 Keenan Agnew (6-0, 275) and he has 27 tackles and 3 TFL. #89 Adam Hundemer (6-2, 272) is a true freshman who has been forced into action because of injuries and he had 3 tackles against Weber St.         

I really like the SIU linebackers, #31 Bryson Strong (5-10, 230) and #54 Bryce Notree (6-3, 225) are two very good linebackers who do a little bit of everything but are best moving forward and attacking.  On the season Strong leads the team with 66 tackles and has 2 sacks and two forced fumbles.  Notree is second in tackles with 58. #8 Makel Calhoun (6-2, 220) is the other starting linebacker and he has 31 tackles and 2 sacks.  #34 Luke Giegling is a player with starting experience who has 9 stops on the year.

#7 Jon Thompson (6-0, 180) and #2 James Ceasar (5-10, 185) are the starting corners and #24 Qua Brown (5-11, 206) and #0 Clayton Bush (6-0, 210) have been the starting safeties this season.  #26  Christian Maddox  (6-3, 210) started against WSU as a 3rd CB and did no play in the first matchup.  Ceasar has 37 tackles this year with 13 pass breakups.  Thompson has 32 tackles and 4 PBUs.  They are both sticky coverage guys and are crafty vets. Maddox has 10 tackles on the year.  Qua Brown flirted with the transfer portal but ultimately ended up back at SIU.  He has 37 stops, a 2 PBU and 4 forced fumbles on the year, including 2 in the first matchup against SDSU.  Bush has 41 tackles, a sack, an INT, a forced fumble, and a PBU.  Definitely a good start to his young career.  #4 PJ Jules (6-3, 191) is a big corner who has come in when SIU throws an extra DB on the field and he has 15 tackles and 2 PBU.  

Special Teams

SIUs special teams are good.  Both the kicker and punter are experienced and the returns are all dangerous.  #97 Jack Colquhoun has 29 punts this season for a 44.45 yard average.  He's landed 10 inside the 20 only had 5 touchbacks. #99 Nico Gualdoni is 9 for 11 on field goals with a long of 44.  He is also the kick off specialist and has a 55.3 yard average which is SIU trying to pin opponents inside the 25.  

The return game features some big name for SIU.  Javon Williams Jr. handles punt return duties with 11 returns for an 8.82 yard average and Justin Strong handles the kick return duties where he has 11 returns for 20.8 yard average.  Strong had the green light early in the year to return kicks out of the end zone but a costly fumble in the first matchup seems to have put a damper on that.  #82 Izaiah Hartrup (6-0, 179) has handled the kick returns recently and has a 19.6 ypr average.  We'll see if Strong or Hartrup is back there and if they still have the green light to bring it out or if they will be more conservative in their approach.  Either way, the Jackrabbit coverage team will have to maintain their lane discipline and hurry down the field, even if it looks like it will be a touchback.

Prediction

The Jacks are not 41 points better than the Salukis, plain and simple.  However, I do believe the Jacks are better.  I think SIU's offense will be better than the first showing.  I think SIU's defense will be strong early as they seek redemption but the lack of depth along the defensive line will just become too much as this game will likely be won by repeated body blows in the first half before the knock out in the second half.  Jacks win 31-20.  

How to Watch

Be there if you can, it looks like a beautiful night!  The game will also be available on ESPN2.

Go Jacks!

Matt