#11/12 Southern Illinois Salukis (0-0) vs. Quincy Hawks (0-0)

When: Thursday, August 30, 2007

Time: 6:00 p.m.

Where: McAndrew Stadium – Carbondale, Ill.

Broadcast: Not televised; Magic 95.1 FM; www.siusalukis.com

(audio webcast and DawgWatchTV)

The word on the Salukis…

The Salukis are coming off a 9-4 season where they made it to the NCAA Football Championship Series – formerly Division I-AA – quaterfinals behind quarterback Nick Hill and running back Arkee Whitlock. The team lost key seniors such as Whitlock, tight end Braden Jones, and kicker Craig Coffin. Nick Hill will return for his last year with help from Whitlock’s replacement, John Randle and senior Craig Turner.

The word on the Hawks…

The Hawks are coming off of their first winning season since 1994. Head coach Bill Terlisner is in his eighth season at the Mid-States Football Association Midwest. Quincy was picked 30th in NAIA preseason polls. Quarterback Craig Moore will make up the core of the running game along with two running backs, senior Larry Patterson and junior Corey Williams.

Position-by-position breakdown

Quarterback: Nick Hill returns as the Salukis’ starter, his second season in that role. Last season, Hill completed 61.7 percent of his passes, throwing for 1,721 yards and 15 touchdowns with six interceptions. He also ran 91 times for 382 yards and six touchdowns.

The Hawks will turn to a new starter, junior Craig Moore, losing their 2006 starter to graduation. Quincy will look to Moore, a big, athletic quarterback, as a key piece to its running game.

ADVANTAGE- SIU

Running Back: SIU should look to senior John Randle to carry the load this season after serving as Arkee Whitlock’s backup a year ago. In 2006, Randle had 96 carries for 489 yards and four touchdowns. Junior transfer Larry Warner, a quick 5-foot-7-inch, 180 pound back, will serve as Randle’s backup.

Both starters return for Quincy’s 2007 campaign, junior Corey Williams and senior Larry Patterson. Both ran for three touchdowns last season, and often will both be on the field at the same time.

ADVANTAGE- SIU

Linebackers: Brandin Jordan, a sophomore, was SIU’s leading tackler in 2006, totaling 107 tackles – 12 of which came behind the line of scrimmage. He added 2.5 sacks, earning himself the award of Gateway Freshman of the Year. Starting alongside him will be junior Justin Thurston and senior Trevor Moe.

The Hawks leader on defense is junior Jacob Zsuppon, a starter since his freshman year and Quincy’s leading tackler from last season, when he had 69 with two sacks. The Hawks’ best pass rusher is Nate Toole, who also recorded two sacks last season.

ADVANTAGE- SIU

Special Teams: Craig Coffin graduated, leaving freshman Kyle Dougherty, who was Florida’s second best high school kicker, the Salukis’ new starting place-kicker. However, SIU will look for a boost from 2006 first-team All-Gateway return specialist Craig Turner.

Corey Williams will take over the kick returning duty for the Hawks after returning just five kickoffs last season. Senior Eric Broughton, who hit 10 of 14 field goals last season, returns to assume to the kicking duties for Quincy.

ADVANTAGE- SIU

STARTERS

SIU OFFENSE:

WR- Damian Sherman – 6’4″ 210

TE- Ryan Kernes – 6’3″ 235

LT- Darren Marquez – 6’5″ 315

LG- Aaron Lockwood – 6″3″ 305

C- Mike Farrell – 6’3″ 300

RG- Shawn Smith – 6’4″ 275

RT- Andrew Kernes – 6’6″ 310

QB- Nick Hill – 6’3″ 210

RB- John Randle – 5’11” 195

FB- Rick Burgess – 6’0″ 215

WR- Alan Turner –

DEFENSE

DE- Jemere Gainer – 6’0″ 225

DT- Larry Luster – 6’0″ 310

DT- Andre Tillman – 6’0″ 285

DE- Devon Reese – 6’3” 235

OLB- Justin Thurston – 6’0” 200

MLB- Brandin Jordan – 5’11” 215

OLB- Trevor Moe – 6’1” 235

CB- Brandon Williams – 5’9” 180

SS- Marty Rodgers – 5’10” 180

FS- Clayton Johnson – 5’10” 190

CB- Craig Turner – 5’10” 195

QUINCY OFFENSE:

WR- Josh Pizer – 6’1” 173

WR- Chris Jenkins – 6’1” 160

LT- Jeremy Saunders – 6’5” 299

LG- Josh Coyle – 6’3” 314

C- Sean Doheny – 6’3” 311

RG- Mike Danielczyk – 6’4” 336

RT- Dan Fahrner – 6’3” 254

RB- Corey Williams – 5’5” 170

QB- Craig Moore – 6’2” 243

WR- Mike James – 6’1” 188

WR- Lou Finocchio – 5’8” 194

DEFENSE

DT- Matt Gurka – 6’1” 260

NG- Greg Climan – 5’10” 250

DE- Drew Hoffman – 6’2” 232

OLB- Nate Toole – 6’1” 238

ILB- Sean Dugan – 5’11” 227

ILB- Jacob Zsuppon – 5’11” 225

OLB- Roberto Perera III – 5’11” 200

DB- Edward Harriel – 5’10” 160

DB- Dustin Keevan – 6’1” 195

FS- Jacob Detmers – 6’4” 205

ROV- Brad Garrett – 5’11” 220

Last Year’s Stats

TEAM OFFENSIVE STATS	SIU	QU
First downs	263	191
Rushing yards	3,035	1,510
Avg. rushing per game	233.5	137.3
Passing yardage	1,806	1,993
Att.-comp.-int.	206-125-4	288-189-10
Average passing ypg	138.9	181.2
Total offense	4,841	3,503
Average per game	372.4	318.5

TEAM DEFENSIVE STATS	SIU	QU
Tackles (solo+assisted)	949	496.5
Sacks for loss (no.-yds.)	36-249	18-123
Interceptions-yds.	7-7	10-132
Forced fumbles	7	8
Fumble recoveries-yds.	6-0	9-0
Blocked kicks	6	2
Yards allowed per game	325.2	290.2
Points allowed per game	19.7	18.2