Carbondale Reporter

Southern Illinois University (SIU) will commence its 2024 regular football season against Brigham Young University (BYU) on Saturday at 7 p.m. CT, with the game broadcast on ESPN+.

The Salukis, currently holding a record of 0-0, will make their third appearance in Utah. Previous visits resulted in victories over Southern Utah (44-10) on September 15, 2007, and Weber State (34-31) in a playoff game on April 24, 2020.

The match is anticipated to draw one of the largest crowds SIU has ever faced, with BYU's LaVell Edwards Stadium seating up to 63,470 spectators. Historically, SIU has played before crowds exceeding 60,000 only twice—76,330 at Illinois in 1985 and 64,469 at Illinois in 1990.

BYU enters this game with an undefeated record against FCS opponents (20-0), boasting an average winning margin of 37 points. This season marks BYU's debut in the Big 12 Conference.

Since joining I-AA/FCS in 1982, SIU has recorded a 6-36 score against FBS teams. Nick Hill contributed to five of these wins either as a player or head coach. SIU's performance against Power Four conference schools stands at two wins and eighteen losses; they have yet to secure a victory against Big-12 teams.

For the first time since the COVID spring season of 2021, SIU will field a new starting quarterback following Nic Baker's tenure as the school's career passing leader over the past three seasons. Contenders for the starting position include Hunter Simmons and DJ Williams.

Despite being ranked No.10 nationally in FCS preseason rankings, no SIU players were named to the preseason All-MVFC team. However, several players received second-team honors or honorable mentions.

The Salukis return four starters on their offensive line with significant experience: Chase Evans (38 starts), Jake Green (27 starts), Abdou Toure (19 starts), and Derek Harden Jr. (19 starts). Additionally, transfers Noah Fenske and Alex Robarge are listed as starters.

Following the graduation of key rushers Ro Elliott and Justin Strong, junior Shaun Lester Jr., senior Jaelin Benefield, and transfers Wiltrell Hartson and Eddie Robinson are expected to play pivotal roles at tailback this season.

Thirteen transfers feature prominently on SIU’s initial two-deep depth chart across both offense and defense lines.

In defense under coordinator Antonio James last year, SIU achieved top ten rankings within multiple categories including points allowed per game and total yards allowed per game among others.

Key defensive statistics from last season highlighted that no touchdowns were allowed by the defense in four games while maintaining robust performances throughout other matches.

Returning wide receiver Vinson Davis III led last year's team with notable receptions after transferring from Charleston Southern. Several new wide receivers could also impact immediately this season.

Despite losing three senior defensive line starters from last year’s lineup—Devin Cowan, Kam Bowdry & Tim Varga—the Salukis still possess experienced returning players such as Peyton Reeves & Dewey Greene among others ready for action along their defensive frontlines

Linebacker Colin Bohanek transferred from Murray State followed by Shug Walker who led his former team in tackles during his final year there Both now bring additional strength into Southern’s linebacker corps

Safeties Ubayd Steed & Iverson Brown combined started twenty-four games together providing solid backfield presence alongside contributing significant numbers towards overall team tackle counts last term

Paul Geelen hailing originally out Netherlands assumes role primary kicker/punter having impressed previously whilst playing William Jewell College achieving high success rates field goals longer distances touchbacks kickoffs consistently performed well