SOUTHERN ILLINOIS (3-7, 1-5) AT SOUTH DAKOTA STATE (8-2, 5-1)
WHEN/WHERE: 2 p.m. Saturday at Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium
TV: Midco Sports Network
RADIO: WNAX-AM 570; Jackrabbit radio affiliates
RECORD LAST YEAR: SDSU 15-0 (FCS champions); SIU 8-5
SERIES: SDSU leads 10-4
LAST TIME: SDSU won 17-10 last year in Carbondale
LAST WEEK: SIU beat Youngstown State 37-33; SDSU beat North Dakota 38-7
RANKINGS: SDSU is ranked No. 3 in FCS; SIU is unranked
COACHES: SIU - Nick Hill (9th year, 47-55); (SDSU - Jimmy Rogers (2nd year, 23-2)
WHAT TO KNOW: It's Senior Day for South Dakota State, and while it will almost surely not be the final home game of the season, the Jackrabbits will honor a class of 29 players who have obviously left an indelible mark on the program with two national championships and the ongoing pursuit of a third.
"Togetherness — they've stuck together during what has been the most unique time of college athletics" Rogers said of his seniors. "With the transfer portal, with NIL, and though a lot of these guys have had the opportunity to leave, and leave for money, they've stuck together and they've really took pride in representing South Dakota State and what we've been trying to accomplish for years, This group is a big part of getting us over the hump of winning two straight national championships. I know they wouldn't be satisfied if they don't end up on that stage again in their senior year.
"This is a great group of players," Rogers added. "They've really bought into one another and been great for me. I've been blessed to be around them as individuals and how they've impacted my life."
With a win SDSU would stay in the hunt for a share of the Valley conference title and strengthen their case for a top four seed in the playoffs.
They're coming off a dominant win over UND against a Hawks team that was 5-0 at home and fighting for their playoff lives.
The defense has dominated all year and the offense is hitting its stride. SDSU averages almost 250 rushing yards per game with four players over 400 yards for the season, while Griffin Wilde has 49 catches for 711 yards and seven of Mark Gronowski's 15 touchdown passes.
There's two games left, and the Jacks are showing signs of being at their best as the playoffs arrive, just as every coach wants from their team.
"I think it's important to look at the growth over the year," Rogers said. "It's a completely different team than last year so every time a new guy steps on the field for you, whether they've earned it or because of injury, you're working with different people and you've got to not drop a beat. I'm excited for what we've been able to do. We're getting some guys back which will continue to add to the depth. I think it's important to peak at the right time, surely. We just got to stay healthy through this run we expect to have."
The Salukis were a playoff team last year and began this year with playoff expectations once again. They were ranked as high as 7th at one point, but due in large part to injuries their season has pretty much fallen apart. They'd lost six in a row before scoring the final 19 points of the game last week to stun the Penguins.
SIU averages just under 20 points per game on offense while their defense allows more than 32.
Injuries at quarterback and running back have forced the Salukis to get creative, but receiver Keontez Lewis has been a steady presence, with 38 catches for 650 yards and three touchdowns. Sophomore linebacker Ben Bogel spearheads the defense. He has 74 tackles, 5.5 sacks and two interceptions.
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