Entering this season, the defense was expected to be one of the SIU football team’s strengths.

Two games and 64 points later, the Salukis are looking to regain that distinction.

SIU (1-1) allowed 33 points to Northwestern in Saturday’s loss, the second time in as many weeks the team had given up more than 30 points.

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Senior running back Tyrell Sutton rushed for 101 yards and three touchdowns against a Saluki defense that only allowed 47 rushing yards to Hampton a week before.

Junior linebacker Brandin Jordan, who ranked third on the team with 97 tackles last season, was among those who were disappointed with the results SIU’s defense has been yielding.

“Anytime you give up over 30 points, it’s not good,” Jordan said. “But you’ve got to basically go watch the film, break it down.”

Allowing back-to-back 30-point games is disappointing, especially for a team whose opponents only scored 30 points twice over a span of 14 games last season.

Coach Dale Lennon said he thinks the Salukis are still adjusting to parts of the 3-4 defensive scheme, which is in its first season, and possesses a talented group of core players that has the ability to make game changing plays on the defensive end.

Lennon said he is not concerned about the defense’s early season performance because of the way they go about playing the game.

“The defense still was playing hard,” Lennon said. “I’m not ready to throw the defense under the bus.”

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Northwestern senior quarterback C.J. Bacher could attest to the defense’s intensity.

Even though Bacher was accurate with his throws, completing 21 of 29 passes for 184 yards, the defense hurried many of his throws and took many hits from Saluki defenders.

Despite the pounding he took at times during the game, Bacher continued to make efficient throws and did not turn the ball over, something SIU was able to do against Hampton in its season-opening victory.

The Salukis forced five turnovers and limited the Pirates to only 47 rushing yards, but allowed 31 points.

Northwestern head coach Pat Fitzgerald said even though the team’s offense was constantly moving the ball downfield, he will look at ways to consistently get into the end zone.

The Wildcats converted on nine of their 16 third down conversions and went 6-for-6 in the red zone, but not every appearance resulted in a touchdown. When Sutton wasn’t scoring, junior place kicker Amando Villareal contributed to the scoring by kicking a personal best four field goals.

Lennon said even though the goal is to stop the defense, holding teams to field goals is a bit of a consolation prize.

“The thing I was very proud of was that Northwestern was moving the football, but several times we held them to a field goal,” Lennon said. “Giving up three points isn’t your goal, but at the same time, you’re not giving up touchdowns.”

Luis C. Medina can be reached at 536-3311 ext. 269 or [email protected].