The SIUC football team can see a mirror image of itself as it prepares for a key matchup with Illinois State University at 1:30 p.m. Saturday at McAndrew Stadium.

Both the Salukis and Redbirds have had slow starts in 1997. SIUC is 1-4 overall and 0-3 in the Gateway Football Conference, while Illinois State brings a 2-4 mark overall and an 0-1 record in conference play to Carbondale.

For a Saluki team that has lost its last three games by a total of seven points and could have a record of 4-1 at this point, SIUC coach Jan Quarless sees Saturday’s contest as a stepping stone to future success.

Advertisement

Despite the team’s disappointing record, Quarless said he is encouraged by his players’ faith in his new system.

They have accomplished a lot in transition, Quarless said. And I’m really very proud of what they’ve done so far. But this is just the middle of the road. We’ve got six weeks to go, and they’ll be all right. I have that much faith in them.

Faith in a new system is one area that both SIUC and Illinois State have had to build within the last two years. While the Salukis are adjusting to Quarless’ system this season, Illinois State is struggling to establish a winner under head coach Todd Berry, who has a 5-12 record with the Redbirds after taking over last season.

Both teams enter Saturday’s matchup with an eye toward getting out of the conference’s cellar after disappointing conference losses last weekend. While the Salukis return from a 36-35 loss to Southwest Missouri State University, the Redbirds are coming off a 50-34 loss in Normal to the University of Northern Iowa.

Illinois State has taken advantage of a standout passing game, which ranks second in the league with 210 yards per game. The Redbird offense is led by the duo of freshman quarterback Kevin Glenn and senior wide receiver Marquis Mosely.

Glenn has yet to start a game this season while splitting time with quarterback Ryan Spielman, but he has passed for 1,044 yards this year, including 361 yards against the Panthers Saturday.

Most of Glenn’s passing yardage has been gained by Mosely, a transfer from Division I-A University of Illinois. Mosely has caught 38 balls for 581 yards and three touchdowns this year, and he ranks first in kickoff returns with 407 yards on 13 returns. Mosely also ranks first in the Gateway in total offense with 1,054 yards in six games, an average of 175.67 yards per game.

Advertisement*

They throw the ball all over the place, Quarless said. He (Mosely) has been outstanding on special teams and catching the football. I think he’s just going to make plays, and you’ve got to understand it. Hopefully, we still come out on top instead of on the short end.

But the Salukis have a not-so-secret offensive weapon of their own in fullback Bryan Nolbertowicz, who is quickly making a name for himself as an offensive threat in the Gateway.

Nolbertowicz rushed for 126 yards and caught four passes for 62 yards against SMSU last Saturday. Nolbertowicz ranks seventh in the Gateway in rushing with 249 yards on 43 carries, and he also ranks in the top 15 in scoring offense, receiving yards per game and pass receptions per game.

Nolbertowicz said his increased offensive role was not one he expected this season.

I was just looking forward to playing as much as possible out there and letting things happen, Nolbertowicz said. I just thank the coaches for calling on me when they needed me in crucial situations, and letting me make plays happen for the team.

Regardless of who wins Saturday’s matchup, both teams still have a long, difficult road ahead of them. Both teams still have to play Division I-AA’s No. 1-ranked team, Youngstown State University, and No. 5 Western Illinois University, while the Salukis also have No. 7 Western Kentucky University on tap in a non-conference home battle Oct. 25.

But Quarless prefers to take each step along the way one at a time, making a difference and convincing his players that they can compete with anyone.

I go into practice every day and look at the positives and say We should win,’ Quarless said. Why shouldn’t we upset Youngstown State? Why shouldn’t we upset Western Illinois? And I want these guys to think the same thing.

The Salukis play Illinois State University at 1:30 p.m. Saturday at McAndrew Stadium.

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