YSU FOOTBALL Reason for SIU's success evident

The Salukis are among the nation's leaders in several categories.
By PETE MOLLICA
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
YOUNGSTOWN -- Southern Illinois is enjoying its best season in 20 years.
The Salukis are undefeated through nine games, 5-0 in the Gateway Conference and ranked No. 3 in the Division I-AA polls.
The last time Southern Illinois had a year like this was 1983 when the Salukis posted a 13-1 record and won the I-AA national championships under former YSU coach Rey Dempsey.
The Salukis, who play host to Youngstown State Saturday (7 p.m.), are not only one of the top-ranked teams in the country, but they are also statistically one of the best.
They are ranked second in the nation in scoring offense (40.7 points per game), fourth in scoring defense (13.4), sixth in rushing offense (271.9 yards per game), eighth in turnover margin (+12), ninth in rushing defense (96.8) and ninth in total defense (274.1).
Bigger and stronger
"This season hasn't been a total surprise," said coach Jerry Kill, in his third season. "We worked very hard in the off-season, especially in the weight room. We got stronger and bigger.
"We've brought in some players who fit very well into our program and they've helped make us what we are today," Kill said.
One of those players is senior running back Muhammad Abdulqaadir (5-foot-7, 200 pounds), who transferred last year from Coffeyville (Kan.) Community College.
Last season, Abdulqaadir rushed for 1,331 yards and 20 touchdowns in eight games, but suffered a season-ending injury.
This season, he's been sharing playing time with senior Tom Koutsos, SIU's all-time career rushing leader who just recently broke the Gateway Conference record for career rushing yards.
Abdulqaadir has 798 yards on 126 carries and 10 touchdowns, despite missed one game with an injury. Koutsos (5-11, 220) has 664 yards on 138 carries and 11 touchdowns.
But the Salukis are not just a running team.
They have an outstanding quarterback in sophomore Joel Sambursky, who has completed 82-of-142 passes for 1,262 yards and 12 touchdowns, with just three interceptions.
Sambursky's top receiver is sophomore Brent Little, who has caught 27 passes for 521 yards and five touchdowns.
Strong line
As with most potent offenses, the Salukis have a talented offensive line, led by senior tackle Wesley Proctor (6-4, 340) and junior center Elmer McDaniel (5-11, 305).
Southern Illinois also is very talented on defense, leading the Gateway in rushing defense (96.8) and total defense.
The top tackler is junior free safety Alexis Moreland, who has 71 tackles and two interceptions.
Senior linebacker Eric Egan leads the team in tackles for losses (nine), while junior defensive end James Fields leads in sacks (five).
Sophomore linebacker Royal Whitaker leads the team with three interceptions. The team has forced 21 turnovers this season.
SIU has a pair of freshmen kickers. Craig Coffin is 7-of-11 in field goals, the longest being 42 yards, and he has made 39-of-43 extra points. The Salukis have scored 50 touchdowns this season.
Punter Zach Kettelkamp is averaging 39.3 yards on 31 punts, with 13 of them inside the opponent's 20 and his longest was 60 yards.
The Salukis haven't beaten YSU since 2001, when they came from a 20-0 halftime deficit to win 21-20 at Stambaugh Stadium.
mollica@vindy.com