By Travis Akin 16

SIUC head football coach Jan Quarless has gambled with the numbers game all season, but his bid to put up Saluki victories has been hampered by increasing player injuries.

When the Salukis reported to camp in August, they were only 80 players strong, and injuries have dropped that number even more.

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Wide receiver Reggie Fowler is suffering from a hamstring injury and is being evaluated on a day-to-day basis. Right guard Brandon Frick will be out for at least three weeks because of an infection in his right knee, and center Kevin Skinkis is out with a shoulder injury.

Quarless said in a press conference Tuesday that the injuries have forced players to play in new positions, making it even tougher for the team to win.

(Jim) Lawhorn will still start at center, Quarless said. If you really want to look at our concerns, (look at the fact that) you have to move a fullback to center. I think that tells it like it is.

For the first time in SIUC history, the Salukis have lost two consecutive games by one point. Saturday, the team fell to Southwest Missouri State University 36-35, and the team also lost to the University of Northern Iowa 28-27 Sept. 27.

The loss to SMSU put SIUC at a season record of 1-4, and the loss marked the third consecutive game the Salukis had a chance to win in the closing minutes of the fourth quarter. Bears place-kicker Travis Brawner kicked a 37-yard field goal as time expired in Saturday’s game to defeat the Salukis.

Despite the injuries, Saturday’s game was the first time the Salukis controlled the first half of a game this season. SIUC had been outscored 60-3 in first-half action prior to Saturday’s game, but the team had a 26-17 lead at halftime against the Bears.

The Salukis could only muster 10 offensive plays and gained 11 yards. SIUC also lost 22 yards in the quarter and controlled the ball about five-and-a-half minutes in 15 minutes of play.

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Although the Salukis could not get the offense going in the third, Quarless said that overall, he saw some good things from the offense, especially in the play of quarterback Kent Skornia.

He was more composed, Quarless said. He was not worried about making that big play. He was playing more comfortably.

Quarless also was pleased with the play of running back Brian Nolbertowicz. Nolbertowicz rushed for 122 yards on nine carries and scored two touchdowns.

One of the keys of Nolbertowicz’s success in the game was a counter play the Salukis ran three times in the game for success.

Nolbertowicz attributes his success this season to the coaching staff that has given him an opportunity to help the team. He said he has confidence in the new system despite the Salukis’ three-game losing streak.

I think (Quarless) coming in was a good change for the program, Nolbertowicz said. It is going to take a little time for the guys to adjust to him. I appreciate everything he has done for this program. You can trust that he gives a 100 percent out there for us.

FACTOID:The Salukis will be in action Saturday against the Illinois State University. Kick-off is at 1:30 p.m. at McAndrew Stadium.