A familiar face is returning to SIU’s quarterback room. 

Michael Lindauer, who had been serving as a graduate assistant on the defensive side of the ball this season, was approved Tuesday by the NCAA to return to college football. 

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Lindauer previously played five seasons of college football. Two came at the University of Cincinnati, where he backed up current NFL quarterback Desmond Ridder. 

His final three were spent with the Salukis, where he backed up longtime Salukis standout Nic Baker. Lindauer missed the 2021 season with a medical redshirt due to a shoulder injury. 

Lindauer’s only game action as a Saluki came in a single game during the 2023 season, but he will be the primary backup to freshman Jake Curry. Curry recently completed his first career start in SIU’s homecoming game, a 24-3 loss to longtime FCS powerhouse North Dakota State.

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Lindauer, who has served as a scout team quarterback because of the injuries, was able to return due to being granted a waiver by the NCAA.

“It’s been fun to see him out there,” Saluki head coach Nick Hill said.

Hill also spoke about how selfless Lindauer’s decision to delay his coaching career and come back to play is.

“I think it says a lot about his character of just whatever the team needs right now, I’ll go suit up and play,” Hill said. “For Mike to be able to do that, it’s given us a boost.”

Lindauer’s tenure as a graduate assistant also helps to give a different perspective to both playing and leadership. Not many players begin coaching and return to the field after. 

“A lot of players don’t have that experience, and so you’re better for that,” Hill said. “We wouldn’t have hired him as a GA if we didn’t think he could be a coach and respected like that… and so for now to have him suited up, being back down in the locker room every day… you feel pretty good as far as trusting that leadership.”

The Dawgs have been hit hard by injuries this season. Besides losing multiple starters on the defensive side of the ball, they lost their top two quarterbacks, DJ Williams and Hunter Simmons. Williams, who suffered a finger injury against Incarnate Word, has a chance to return this season. Simmons suffered a broken fibula against Illinois State and will miss the remainder of the season.

SIU’s other quarterback, ET Harris, was injured in training camp and will not play this season. The third-string, or emergency quarterback, is wide receiver Vinson Davis.

The Salukis, who sit at 2-5, 0-3 in conference play and on a four game losing streak, are on a bye week and will look to pick up their first conference win when they return to the field in Terre Haute against Indiana State on October 26.

Sports consultant 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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