Carbondale Reporter

In a showdown of FCS national powers, No. 9 Southern Illinois University (SIU) will host No. 12 Incarnate Word at Saluki Stadium on Saturday at 6 p.m.

The home opener is SIU's annual Hawgs & Dawgs game, during which motorcycles will lead the team onto the field before the game. Fans can participate in Hawgs & Dawgs by purchasing a $10 ticket with the promo code "HAWGS" and lining up at the south end zone at 5:30 p.m.

Additionally, it is Faith & Family Night, allowing area churches and faith groups to purchase $10 tickets with the promo code "FAITH" and have their organizations recognized on the video board during the game.

The Salukis and Cardinals have met just once before, in a 2022 shootout in San Antonio where Incarnate Word won 64-29. That game featured a lengthy pregame lightning delay and an in-game power outage. The Salukis fell behind 22-0 in the first quarter, with punter Nathan Torney experiencing two snaps over his head resulting in significant losses.

Linebacker Ben Bogle was named Stats Perform FCS and Missouri Valley Football Conference Defensive Player-of-the-Week after one of the most dominating solo performances in school history. The sophomore from Ponte Verda, Fla., recorded a career-high 12 tackles, including a school-record 6.5 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks as SIU defeated Austin Peay, 31-17. Bogle becomes the eighth player in school history to earn national Player-of-the-Week honors and the first since safety PJ Jules won the award in 2023.

After two weeks of play, Bogle leads the nation in tackles for loss (3.3 per game) and is second in sacks (2.25 per game). Quarterback DJ Williams ranks 13th nationally in points responsible for (30).

SIU's starting lineup against BYU featured only four returning starters on offense—center Chase Evans, right guard Jake Green, right tackle Abdou Toure, wide receiver Vinson Davis III—and three on defense—linebacker Colin Bohanek, safety Ubayd Steed, safety Iverson Brown.

Southern Illinois' defense excelled in the fourth quarter against Austin Peay State University (APSU), holding them to minus-eight total yards. Bogle led this defensive effort with crucial tackles that forced turnovers on downs and recorded 2.5 sacks during this decisive period.