The SIU football team’s defense has adapted during the last two games after senior linebacker Victor Burnett and senior cornerback Keith Suggs were dismissed from the team.

The two players were released from the team  Nov. 10 for a violation of team rules.

Burnett was arrested Nov. 1 by Carbondale Police for possession of cannabis, intent to deliver and possession of drug paraphernalia, according to court records. He was suspended from the team Nov. 4.

Suggs was suspended from the team Nov. 6. According to a sworn statement of probable cause by Carbondale police officer Jeramie Stewart, Suggs said he assisted Burnett in selling cannabis.

Burnett had 40 tackles—sixth on the team—at the time of his suspension.

Inside linebacker coach Todd Auer said he has not changed the game plan since Burnett was dismissed.

“I always tell guys they need to be paying attention so when something like this happens they are ready to step up,” he said.

One of the players who has seen more playing time in Burnett’s absence is sophomore Darius Merriweather. He has 18 tackles this season, with five in the last two games.

Merriweather had his best game of the year Nov. 8 against Missouri State when he recorded 4 tackles.

“It was really good to get the monkey off my back,” he said. “I stepped up and made plays when it really mattered. It was a confidence booster.”

Auer said he was happy with Merriweather’s performance and knew because of his work ethic, Merriweather would step up and play well given the chance.

Merriweather said he learned a lot from Burnett in the time they played together.

“He was actually one of the first guys I met when I came here,” he said. “I learned how to persevere through things from Victor. I’m kind of doing this for him because he couldn’t do this last year because of his injuries.”

Sophomore Chase Allen leads the team with 88 tackles; 22 are from the last two games.

“Chase just gets better every week,” Auer said. “He moved from outside [linebacker] to inside [linebacker] this year, and he could learn a new position every week.”

Senior Jordan Poole has increased reps in the absence of Burnett. He is fourth on the team in tackles with 67. He’s had 16 in the last two weeks.

Auer said Poole has performed well all year, but played exceptionally well against Northern Iowa when he recorded 11 tackles.

The coach said he does not think losing Burnett has affected the team.

“I think we are fine,” he said. “Both these last two games our inside linebackers have played really well. Victor was a physical guy, but I don’t think we’ve missed a beat.”

In the secondary, the loss of Suggs has not created a problem. Secondary coach David Elson said the players have taken advantage of more reps.

Suggs had 28 tackles, an interception, 2 break-ups and 3 pass deflections this season.

The secondary had a steady rotation of players all season, including senior cornerbacks Courtney Richmond and Boo Rodgers.

“Like any good team, we have a next up mentality,” Elson said. “It’s really just meant more reps for Rodgers and Richmond. We are fortunate that we’ve stayed healthy and been able to develop some depth.”

Richmond has 40 tackles, 2 interceptions, 5 break-ups and 7 pass deflections this season.

Elson said Richmond has finished plays well all year and has broken up more passes, which is something he wants from his players.

He has 11 tackles and an interception in the two games since Suggs’ dismissal.

Rodgers has 20 tackles, 2 interceptions, 7 break-ups and 9 pass deflections this season. In the last two games he’s had 6 tackles and 2 break-ups.

“I’ve been really proud of the way those guys have stepped up, especially as seniors,” Elson said. “It does look like they are playing their best football over the last three or four weeks.”

The Salukis will finish the season at 1 p.m. Saturday in Normal against Illinois State.

Brent Meske can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @brentmeskeDE.