Kennedy has been taking the majority of snaps during practice and Watson said he has performed the best.

We’re going to go with Reggie and see how that works, he said. Reggie is going to start. He has done it all through spring drills and did a nice job at that time and did a good job in two-a-days.

However, Watson said if the need arises Danny Smith and Chris Schullian could see some action.

Advertisement

If that situation presents itself then we’ll deal with that, he said. We’re going to keep Kennedy’s confidence up and give him all the confidence in the world so he goes out and has a great game.

That’s my job with him so I’m not going to coach it any other way.

Kennedy said the key to his success this season will be playing to his ability

Staying in control of the offense and not making any stupid plays are the big things, he said. (I need to) play within the system and do what I’m supposed to.

Watson said Kennedy will be helped out by the receivers he has to throw to.

I think we can throw the ball in our controlled passing game, he said. Where we’re different this year is we have some people who can go up on top.

Stephen Geralds can go get it, Johnny Thomas has a lot of speed, Reggie Fowler has gotten better and better at making the big plays. He’s been more consistent at that.

Advertisement*

BAKER OUT 4-6 WEEKS

The Salukis only have one serious injury going to the SEMO game, and unfortunately for the Dawgs starting receiver Aaron Baker is the player. Baker will be out 4-6 weeks due to a broken bone in his foot.

We’ll miss Aaron because he really had good two-a-days and had a strong leadership role at the receiver position, Watson said.

However, Watson said the receiving corps is deep enough to compensate for Baker’s loss.

Jermaine Gray has come along real well, we’re excited about Stephen Geralds, Reggie Fowler and Johnny Thomas, he said. So we’re in pretty good shape there.

HIGH ON RUNNING BACKS

Watson and the Saluki coaching staff have a problem. However, this problem is a good one as the Dawgs appear to be loaded in the backfield.

I think we rush the ball real well, that’s do to the size and strength that we have up in the offensive line, plus the four tailbacks we have.

We have four kids who can line up and run for us, and we didn’t have that luxury last year.

William Tolen, last year’s leading rusher, will start and Watson said he will get the majority of the work-but the Salukis have a stable of newcomers to back Tolen up.

William Tolen is Mr. Consistency,’ he provides big plays and a lot of good play, he’s been pushed and that has made him a better ballplayer by doing the little things that he wasn’t efficient at before, Watson said. Karlton Carpenter’s behind him and Coe Bonner so we have good problems at tailback.

On the Saluki offensive line .

The SIUC offensive line goes into the game against the Indians with a average weight of 305 pounds. The starters include left tackle Shane Kreke (321), left guard Steve Jones (316), center Larry Mullins (290), right guard Chris Myers (300) and right tackle Larry Watkins (330).