Archive for March 2021

New Eastern Illinois QB shows off poise, big arm in his first career start

Otto Kuhns (4) threw a pair of touchdowns for EIU last weekend as the first true freshman since Jimmy Garoppolo to start for the Panthers. (Photo by EIUPanthers.com) The start to Otto Kuhns’ college career highlighted his arm strength … and perhaps his nerves. “The first play, the adrenaline was coursing through his veins and... Read more »
By Barry Bottino,
March 18, 2021 at 4:16 am
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Moving the Chains with ... Southern Illinois safety Clayton Bush

Clayton Bush (0) is a sophomore safety for Southern Illinois who transferred to SIU from his hometown university, Western Kentucky. (Photo by SIUSalukis.com) In his first season as a safety at Southern Illinois, Clayton Bush has made his share of big plays. Against Southeast Missouri, the sophomore had an interception in the end zone to... Read more »
By Barry Bottino,
March 17, 2021 at 4:58 am
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Spring FCS college football has been a kick . . . where that's landed is another story

Southern Illinois survived 17-16 when preseason all-conference Northern Iowa kicker Matthew Cook hooked a 30-yard field goal attempt. (photo courtesy of SIU Athletics) It’s funny how the fate of a game can so easily be decided by the kick of an oblong ball. Well, funny may not be the right word depending upon your perspective.... Read more »
By Dan Verdun,
March 16, 2021 at 5:57 am
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Salukis jump five spots to No. 5 position in national FCS poll

Southern Illinois quarterback Stone Labanowitz delivers a pass Saturday in SIU’s 17-16 victory against Northern Iowa in Carbondale. (Photo by SIUSalukis.com) A second win this season against a top-five team in the nation vaulted Southern Illinois to that lofty neighborhood Monday. The Salukis (4-1 overall, 3-1 Missouri Valley Football Conference) took over the No. 5... Read more »
By Barry Bottino,
March 15, 2021 at 7:39 pm
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3 things we learned: Eastern's inconsistency proves costly in 21-20 loss

Tennessee State linebacker James Green celebrates his interception Sunday in Nashville against Eastern Illinois. TSU rallied for a 21-20 victory against the Panthers. (Photo by TSUTigers.com) Six days before his team took the field at Tennessee State, Adam Cushing said, “we’ve got to play consistently. That’s the separation between winning and losing.” Cushing, the Eastern... Read more »
By Barry Bottino,
March 14, 2021 at 6:04 pm
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Judd gives Eastern Illinois return game a spark

EIU head football coach Adam Cushing (above) said Matt Judd’s skills as a kickoff returner are aided by the trust in his teammates. (Photo by Barry Bottino, Prairie State Pigskin) When Matt Judd returns a kickoff for the Eastern Illinois football team, his head coach notices a number of good traits. “Matt’s best qualities as... Read more »
By Barry Bottino,
March 14, 2021 at 4:18 am
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3 things we learned: North Dakota State outlasts ISU Redbirds 21-13

North Dakota State’s Brayden Thomas, right, helps to tackle Illinois State’s Nigel White on Saturday, March 13, in the Fargodome. (photo courtesy Michael Vosburg / Forum Photo Editor)  The last time Illinois State met up with North Dakota State in the FargoDome each team was led by a future NFL standout. While that wasn’t the... Read more »
By Dan Verdun,
March 13, 2021 at 6:44 pm
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3 things we learned: Salukis reel in another 'big fish' with win vs. No. 4 Northern Iowa

Linebacker Bryson Strong (31) leads the cheers Saturday after helping the 10th-ranked SIU Salukis knock off No. 4 Northern Iowa, 17-16. (Photo by SIUSalukis.com) Combine a scoreless first half on offense, an injured quarterback and a defense that gives up 233 yards in the first two quarters. What do you get? The second win this... Read more »
By Barry Bottino,
March 13, 2021 at 6:27 pm
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3 things we learned: Third down a key factor in third-ranked North Dakota road win over Western Illinois

Redshirt freshman Tommy Schuster threw for a career-high 336 yards as No. 3 North Dakota defeated Western Illinois Saturday in Macomb. Despite its league-leading rusher being shaken up with an apparent injury in the first half, No. 3 North Dakota handled Western Illinois 38-21 in Missouri Valley Football Conference action Saturday in Macomb. The Fighting... Read more »
By Dan Verdun,
March 13, 2021 at 4:17 pm
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Salukis stoked to face another Top 10 Missouri Valley opponent

Southern Illinois senior cornerback James Ceasar (2) celebrates a key stop in last weekend’s 30-22 victory against Youngstown State. (Photo by SIUSalukis.com) Playing an all-Missouri Valley Football Conference schedule this spring brings a different challenge each week for Southern Illinois. The schedule also brings opportunity for the Salukis (3-1 overall, 2-1 MVFC), who are ranked... Read more »
By Barry Bottino,
March 13, 2021 at 4:13 am
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