Salukis Split ‘Super Saturday’ Twin Bill

by LMedina86

Southern Illinois University’s football team beat UMass, while their men’s basketball team lost to No. 15 Indiana University in what was regarded as the biggest sports day in the history of SIU athletics.

The front end of the ‘Super Saturday’ double header featured the Salukis 34-27 over the Minutemen, putting the end to one Massachusetts team’s dream of a football championship.

SIU’s victory coupled with the University of Delaware’s victory against the No. 1 seed University of Northern Iowa, the Salukis will play host to the Blue Hens at McAndrew Stadium in Carbondale, Ill. on Saturday at 3 p.m. in the second semi-final of the FBS (1-AA) championship.

SIU has not made it this far in the playoffs since 1983, when the Salukis won the National Championship.  A victory on Saturday puts the Salukis in Chattanooga, Tenn. for the FCS title game.

Nick Hill led SIU’s offense with 216 passing yards and three touchdown passes.  The Saluki defense played well too, even though they allowed UMass to gain over 522 yards of total offense.  The Salukis intercepted three Liam Coen passes, and that proved to be the difference in the game.

The outcome for SIU’s basketball team wasn’t as good.  SIU’s 15-game home winning streak was snapped by No. 15 Indiana, who beat the Salukis by a score of 64-51.  The loss at the SIU Arena was only the fourth in the last 84 games dating back to the 2001-02 season.

SIU shot only 37.5% from the field and only hit one three-point shot, while blowing numerous open looks.  Randal Falker led the Salukis with 12 points and 7 rebounds, but was stifled by Indiana’s zone defense in the second half.

The Salukis were backed by an amped up, sell-out crowd who donned white t-shirts on “White Out” night.  However, it wasn’t enough to stop superstar freshman guard Eric Gordon.

Gordon was clearly frustrated early by double teams and tight defense, but earned the ire of Saluki Nation by dropping 22 points while shooting 50% from the field, including 4-of-7 from beyond the arc.

Beyond his offensive putout, Gordon filled the stat sheet with three blocks, two steals and four rebounds.  While some Saluki fans chanted “overrated” when Gordon stepped to the free-throw line, but the future NBA lottery pick lived up to the hype.

SIU will look to put an end to a two-game losing streak on Saturday in Charlotte against the 49ers.  Until then, ‘Floorburn U’ is searching for the answers to what has plagued them in losses to Southern California and Indiana.