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Part 2: Joel Sambursky talks life after football and McAndrew memories
CARBONDALE, Ill. — In today’s part-two series on the story of quarterback Joel Sambursky (2001-05), he reflects on meeting his wife at SIU, and nearly losing his son, Teddy Sambursky. He talks about opening a business in Carbondale, and looks back at some McAndrew memories. Finally, he answers the question of how he feels about his passing records being broken.

Tom Weber
Aug 236 min read


Part 1: Joel Sambursky arrived at SIU at pivotal moment in program's history
CARBONDALE, Ill. — Joel Sambursky arrived at Southern Illinois in 2001 as one of the first recruits of the Jerry Kill era. It was perhaps the most pivotal union of head coach and quarterback in school history.

Tom Weber
Aug 228 min read


Linebackers preview; Colin Bohanek’s return is inspirational for LBs room
CARBONDALE, Ill. — When Colin Bohanek suffered a torn bicep in Game 2 of the 2024 season, linebackers coach Mac McLeran wasn’t sure if the senior linebacker would return for another year.

Tom Weber
Aug 213 min read


Adversity has made SIU's Mac McLeran a better husband, father and football coach
CARBONDALE, Ill. — He only recently turned 30 years old, but SIU linebackers coach Mac McLeran has handled greater adversity in his life...

Tom Weber
Aug 208 min read


Wide receivers room at SIU bolstered by addition of Fabian McCray and return of Vinson Davis III
CARBONDALE, Ill. — SIU’s wide receivers room looks much different than it did just five months ago during spring ball. The off-season...

Tom Weber
Aug 194 min read


SIU’s safeties are in relentless pursuit of the ball
Lee Pronschinske CARBONDALE, Ill. — Last year, SIU’s safeties forced an impressive nine turnovers, exactly half of the defense’s total of...

Tom Weber
Aug 183 min read


Veteran offensive line knows success starts up front; scrimmage notebook
CARBONDALE, Ill. — Southern Illinois will roll out five seniors on its starting offensive line in 2025, a veteran group that aims to bring out the best in each other.

Tom Weber
Aug 176 min read


Training camp is ending, and here’s where Saluki Football stands heading into the season
CARBONDALE, Ill. — Southern Illinois wraps up training camp this weekend. In just two weeks, the season begins with the home opener versus Division II Thomas More. After 15 Spring Ball practices, plus 15 more training camp practices, it’s time for an in-depth look at where Saluki Football stands as it heads into the 2025 season. Our bottom line on the upcoming season…it’s time to buy stock ⬆️ in Saluki Football.

Tom Weber
Aug 165 min read


Backup quarterback Jake Curry is used to being thrown into the fire
CARBONDALE, Ill — Last year, 18-year-old Jake Curry became the first true freshman at SIU to start at quarterback in 35 years.

Tom Weber
Aug 157 min read


Nathan Frame jumped at the opportunity to coach SIU’s special teams
CARBONDALE, Ill. — Not every coach is as passionate about coaching special teams as SIU’s Nathan Frame. It was one of his first areas of responsibility as a volunteer coach at Southern in 2017, fresh out of college.

Tom Weber
Aug 147 min read


New defensive line coach Darius Davis preaching “DAWGS” mentality
CARBONDALE, Ill. — Long before he joined SIU’s coaching staff, defensive line coach Darius Davis coined the phrase “DAWGS” mentality as his coaching mantra.

Tom Weber
Aug 137 min read


Breakout training camp performance by Jathen Jones is no accident
CARBONDALE, Ill. — One of the early stars of SIU’s training camp has been senior wide receiver Jathen Jones. That fact may come as a surprise, since he enters the season with 10 career catches in 16 games, but the St. Louis native said he’s determined to finish strong.

Tom Weber
Aug 125 min read


The inspiring story of legendary Saluki running back Andre Herrera
CARBONDALE, Ill. — One of the greatest running backs in Southern Illinois history is Andre Herrera. His record-setting season in 1976 was...

Tom Weber
Aug 1111 min read


Detailed breakdown of today’s scrimmage action
Lots of great plays were made in today’s live scrimmage. Find out who shined in our Insiders Notebook.

Tom Weber
Aug 104 min read


Friends and family celebrate the life of Sharon Lipe
CARBONDALE, Ill. — Saluki Football had another excellent practice in the morning, but today was a special day to remember Sharon Lipe, the long-time secretary for the program, who recently passed away after a battle with cancer.

Tom Weber
Aug 93 min read


Experienced tight end room hopes to stay healthy in 2025
CARBONDALE, Ill. — SIU’s top-two tight ends in 2024 — Ryan Schwendeman and Aidan Quinn — combined to miss 16 games due to injury, but both are back healthy and looking for a big season in 2025.

Tom Weber
Aug 86 min read


StrongDawgs Insider Notebook: Recapping today’s scrimmage
CARBONDALE, Ill. — The first big test of training camp took place on Thursday morning at Saluki Stadium, as SIU conducted a 100-play live scrimmage with referees. Find out who shined and where things stand with Saluki Football

Tom Weber
Aug 73 min read


QB DJ Williams returned to SIU so he could “play for the best coach in America”
DJ Williams received substantial offers to play at the FBS level, but he was determined to return to Southern to play for Nick Hill and finish the job he started in 2024.

Tom Weber
Aug 64 min read


Offense is progressing, according to DJ Williams and Nick Hill
CARBONDALE, Ill. — Southern Illinois has practiced six times in seven days, so quarterback DJ Williams and head coach Nick Hill are starting to get a feel for what the offense can do. Q&A with DJ Williams How is the offense progressing? We're starting to hit more deep balls in these last couple practices, getting better, just timing-wise, getting used to these receivers, me settling in with pressure in my face. The offense is growing. We're also getting our offensive line to

Tom Weber
Aug 53 min read


Cornerbacks room gives Coach Eriq Moore plenty of matchup options
Southern’s seven-man cornerbacks room features a little bit of everything — length, speed, experience, youth, savvy — you name it.

Tom Weber
Aug 44 min read

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