SBU BEARCATS (0-3) at SOUTHERN ILLINOIS SALUKIS (0-1)
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 19 • 6:00 PM
McANDREW STADIUM • CARBONDALE, IL
RADIO: KBFL 99.9 FM (Josh Thompson, play-by-play)
INTERNET AUDIO: www.radiospringfield.com
INTERNET VIDEO:  www.stretchinternet.com/siuvideo
LIVE STATS: siusalukis.cstv.com/

SBU NOTES | SIU NOTES

CARBONDALE, Ill. -- It's another huge road hurdle for the SBU Bearcats this weekend as they travel to Carbondale, Ill., to battle the Southern Illinois Salukis. SBU is coming off a marathon three-overtime loss at Harding last Saturday night and still looks for their first win of the season. Southern Illinois (an NCAA FCS member) was idle last week after falling to Marshall on September 5.
    
Last season's Independents Collegiate Athletic Association (ICAA) Offensive Player of the Year Steve Gachette set several school records in the loss at Harding including single game marks for total offense (573 yards) and passing yards (459). He became the only player in SBU history to throw for more than 400 yards and rush for more than 100 in a single game. Gachette ranks second in the nation in total offense (413 yds/game) and third in the nation in passing yards (355). WR Johnnie King, who led the nation in receptions per game (89 grabs in 10 games) in 2008, had six catches for 133 yards against Harding. King is 20th nationally in receiving yards per game (102). SBU ranks sixth nationally in Division II in total offense (490 yards/game) and third in passing offense (355 yds/game).
    
LB Jarred Schumpert leads D-II in tackles per game 14.67 after his second straight game with 17 combined tackles. Schumpert has led or tied for the team lead in tackles in his three previous seasons with SBU. Schumpert is also tied for 12th with 2.17 tackles for loss per game.

THE COACHES AND THE ALL-TIME SERIES
Bearcat head coach Keith Allen is in his third season at the helm of the Bearcats. He's already engineered a significant turnaround, moving the 'Cats from 0-11 his first year as interim coach, to 5-6 in 2008, when SBU was three plays away from a potential 8-3 mark.

SIU is coached by Dale Lennon, who is 9-4 in his second season with SIU. His overall record is 111-36 in 12 seasons. He was the 2008 Missouri Valley Football Conference Coach of the Year after leading SIU to the playoffs. SBU and SIU will meet for the first time.

SCOUTING THE SALUKIS
The Salukis are Football Championship Subdivision members (formerly I-AA) and are currently #9 in the Sports Network FCS Poll. SIU opened up their season on September 5 at FBS (formerly I-A) Marshall and nearly upset the Thundering Herd in Huntington, West Virginia. Deji Karim led SIU with 67 yards on 16 carries while Chris Dieker was 22 of 37 for 206 yards and two TDs and one pick. Bryce Morris caught six balls for 69 yards. Brandin Jordan recorded 12 total tackles for the Salukis.