By Ryan Keith 21

One week after a lack of intensity cost the Salukis a victory, Quarless knows his football team cannot play with the same frame of mind Saturday and be successful against Southeast Missouri State University in Cape Girardeau, Mo.

I’m concerned because I think it’s in the players’ hands, Quarless said. I think they have to use it (emotion) as a springboard. I think when you’re 3-5, you can still challenge them and say, You can become 6-5.’ But now you go the other way.

Advertisement

We talked to the seniors, likewise, about ending up 4-7. For me personally, I think it’s extremely important.

The Salukis’ lethargic play Saturday against Youngstown State University cost them a chance for a good showing against one of Division I-AA’s top teams. SIUC came out flat and fell behind early in a 34-10 loss to the Penguins in the Salukis’ final game at McAndrew Stadium in 1997.

I think the difference with Youngstown State is this football team never played Youngstown State, Quarless said. You compound that with the defense they played and the type of offense they run, I think that was more of a concern mentally than I realized. So I think that was part of the lack of emotion.

The Salukis enter Saturday’s game with an offensive advantage that they have rarely seen this season. SEMO (3-6) has compiled 273.3 yards per game in total offense, while the Salukis (3-7) bring an average of 323.3 yards per game into Cape Girardeau.

After three consecutive battles against teams ranked in the top 10 nationally in Division I-AA, Quarless’ squad will not face the same challenge defensively against the Indians that it has faced in recent weeks. SEMO’s offensive average is nearly half of what the Salukis have allowed this season (456.6 yards per game).

But while SEMO may not have the offensive firepower that the Salukis are accustomed to seeing, the Indians do have some weapons. SEMO is led by a three-pronged rushing attack, including K.D. Koleosho, Aaron Bryant and Britt Margaux. The trio has combined to rush for 944 yards and five touchdowns.

Quarterback Justin Martini has followed up a solid 1996 campaign by throwing for 929 yards and seven touchdowns this season with two games remaining on the Indians’ schedule. Martini’s favorite receiver has been junior Dante Bryant, who has caught 36 passes for 524 yards and five touchdowns.

Advertisement*

The Indians’ defense, which allows 300.7 yards per game and 185.7 yards in the air, will be faced with the task of slowing down Saluki quarterback Kent Skornia and wide receiver Cornell Craig.

SIUC’s record-breaking wide receiver has caught a school-best 53 passes this season for 981 yards, an average of 18.5 yards per catch. He has scored nine touchdowns and likely will top the 1,000-yard total in Saturday’s game.

Craig has smashed SIUC’s record for yards in a season of 694, set by Wesley Yates in 1989. With two years remaining at SIUC, the sophomore from Louisville, Ky., is within striking distance of the Salukis’ record for most yards in a career of 1,809, set by Justin Roebuck from 1989 to 1992.

Quarless said Craig is deserving of the honors, but Quarless has been more impressed with Craig’s attitude.

I think Cornell (Craig) will address it (his season) the way I like it to be addressed, Quarless said. I’ll let him cherish that when the season is over. It shows you what he can do knowing he is getting the attention, and he’s been able to respond.

Craig and his Saluki teammates will need to finish the season with another solid effort for the season to end on a winning note. Although SEMO is not a Division I-AA powerhouse, Quarless knows the Indians will be prepared to play their bi-state rivals.

I think they’re a better football team than I realized, Quarless said. I do think it comes down to really who wants it the most and who prepares themselves mentally more than the physical aspects of the game. I think that plays a big part.

I think SEMO will be very, very much prepared to play us. I hope we look at it with the same intensity that I think they do. Hopefully, it will mean a lot to us.

The Salukis travel to Cape Girardeau, Mo., for a season finale against Southeast Missouri State University at 1 p.m. Saturday.

The game can be heard at 95.1 WXLT-FM or at http://www.siu.edu/godawgs.