Since the clock hit zero at Illinois State, I have had time to reflect on the year I have spent here at Southern Illinois. I’ve been surrounded by support and people who love us.

CARBONDALE, Ill. — In the four years that wide receiver Alan Turner (2004-07) played at Southern Illinois, Saluki Football won 40 games, including four playoff victories, beat two FBS teams and won two conference titles.

CARBONDALE, Ill. — Jacksonville Jaguars linebacker and Saluki Football alum Branson Combs (2019-23) returned to campus during Homecoming Weekend, one week after he became the 44th player in SIU history to play in the NFL.

CARBONDALE, Ill. — Saluki Football welcomed back one of its all-time greats on Friday when Las Vegas Raiders safety and sixth-year NFL pro Jeremy Chinn returned to campus.

CARBONDALE, Ill. — Tom Striegel was such an amazing punter that even the team’s radio broadcaster joked that he didn’t mind when the offense went 3-and-out, because it meant he could watch Striegel punt the football.

CARBONDALE, Ill. — Saluki Football alum Branson Combs (2019-23) made his National Football League debut on Sunday morning for the Jacksonville Jaguars.

CARBONDALE, Ill. — Craig Coffin (2002-06) didn’t start kicking footballs until his junior year of high school in Fort Myers, Florida.

CARBONDALE, Ill. — Southern Illinois quarterback Leonard Hopkins (1972-75) could throw a football 75 yards in the air. He could sling a...

CARBONDALE, Ill. — Saluki Football alum Chris Lockwood (1978-81) recently retired from a highly successful business career in Colorado,...