A winning season was what Saluki football coach Shawn Watson was looking for heading into the 1995 season, and with only one week remaining that goal can still be reached.

After the Dawgs 30-28 nail biter Saturday, the SIUC upped its overall record to 5-5, with Eastern Illinois the only thing standing in the way of the Salukis finishing above .500 for the first time since 1991. That season, the Dawgs went 7-4 tied for second place in the Gateway.

Of the Salukis’ five wins, four have been at home. The Dawgs have not lost a home game since Sept. 9, when Murray State came to McAndrew Stadium and defeated SIUC 35-3.

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Since then, Watson’s squad has knocked off Nicholls State, Illinois State, Southwest Missouri State and Western Kentucky at home.

Saluki middle linebacker Brian Tranchitella said SIUC has had the goal of a winning season since the start of this year’s campaign.

That was our goal at the beginning of the year, and that’s the goal now to get a winning season, he said. We’ve had an outstanding home record this year.

I hope as a senior to pass on a tradition that the Salukis can win at home.

Watson agreed and said the crowds at McAndrew Stadium, which have averaged 9,380 per home contest, have helped to create a home field advantage that has helped the Salukis win at home.

What you have to do is you have to have a distinct advantage, he said. We’re trying to create that here.

We call it (McAndrew Stadium) the Dawg House,’ and we don’t lose in the House’ we’re not going to lose in the house. We’re going to make it a tradition.

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Although the fans play a big part in creating a home field advantage, other factors play into it as well.

There are a lot of people that don’t like to come down here and play because of the (small) dressing room or whatever. They’ve got their own reasons for it.

If I’m coaching long enough, I’ll find out reasons why I don’t like to go someplace and play.

Watson and the Salukis have made big strides in creating a tradition of winning at home, but there is still one more thing Watson wants to spotlight that tradition.

I hope lights (at McAndrew Stadium) will get done, he said. I’ve been told that’s something that’s in our future, and I hope that it is.

I think it would be great for the University, because it would be a way for the University to reach out and extend a hand to the Southern Illinois community and give them some sort of entertainment at night.

It could be a fun time at McAndrew.