The SIU football team will face a Big Ten opponent for the first time since 2022 when they face Purdue in 2025.

The news, which was first reported by Kevin Kelley of FBschedules.com, sees the Salukis and Boilermakers face off against each other on September 6, 2025, in West Lafayette, Indiana. 

According to a state public records request obtained by Kelley from SIU, Southern Illinois will receive a $500,000 guarantee from Purdue for playing the game.

The matchup will mark the start of the Salukis’ 2025 season, and be the second time the teams have played each other. The first, which happened during the 2014 season in West Lafayette, ended in a 35-13 Purdue victory. 

Mark Ianotti started that game at quarterback for the Salukis and threw for 248 yards, and future NFL tight end MyCole Pruitt led the Salukis with 136 receiving yards. It wasn’t enough to beat the Boilermakers, who were led by several future NFL players including running backs Raheem Mostert and Akeem Hunt, quarterback Danny Etling and wide receiver DeAngelo Yancey. 

Historically, SIU has not fared well against Big Ten opponents. All time, they hold a 2-7 record, though both of their wins have included current head coach Nick Hill.

Hill started at quarterback and led the Salukis to victory against the Indiana Hoosiers in 2006, and coached his team to a win against the Northwestern Wildcats in 2022.

The 2025 game against Purdue solidifies at least a four year stretch in which the Dawgs will face a Power 5 conference opponent, as they will open the 2024 season against BYU.

2025’s matchup with Purdue will also mark the first of three consecutive years playing a Big Ten opponent. SIU is also slated to play the University of Illinois in Champaign, IL, in 2026 and the University of Wisconsin in Madison, WI, in 2027.

Sports reporter Ryan Grieser can be reached at [email protected]. To stay up to date on all your southern Illinois news, be sure to follow The Daily Egyptian on Facebook and on X @dailyegyptian.

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