CARBONDALE, Ill. — When Southern Illinois center Ostyn Friday arrived on campus in the summer of 2022, there wasn’t even a roster spot for him. Last weekend, in his final season with the Salukis, he made his first-career start.

CARBONDALE, Ill. — If you ask Southern Illinois defensive end Jake Parrella where his relentless motor on the football field comes from, he’ll explain that determination is a trait that runs deep in the Parrella family.

CARBONDALE, Ill. — Four years ago, Southern Illinois senior punter Elijah Gorman was working as an aircraft mechanic apprentice in Kenosha, Wisconsin, when he suddenly decided it was time to try the sport of football.

CARBONDALE, Ill. — Southern Illinois junior offensive lineman Jacob Katauskas pulled off the trifecta last Saturday against Youngstown State. He played three O-Line positions during the game — both right and left tackle, plus left guard.

CARBONDALE, Ill. — His full name won’t fit on the back of his jersey, but Saluki cornerback Sebastian Vargas Escobar wants the world to know how proud he is of his family name and his Colombia homeland.

CARBONDALE, Ill. — Southern Illinois sophomore linebacker David Obadein found out late last week that he’d be making his first-career start for the Salukis versus SEMO, replacing injured veteran Chris Presto in the lineup.

CARBONDALE, Ill. — The "Batavia Bros," Southern Illinois linebackers Ben Fiegel and Charlie Whelpley, were raised on old-school football.

CARBONDALE, Ill. — When Seth Adams’ foot meets the ball on a field goal attempt during practice, a powerful thud reverberates throughout Saluki Stadium.

CARBONDALE, Ill. — DJ Williams looks at rest of the Saluki Football quarterback room and sees a bright future, and he’s determined to bring out the best in each of them.

CARBONDALE, Ill. — Have you ever wondered what a day-in-the-life of a football player is like during training camp? Sophomore running back DJ Welch kept a journal for StrongDawgs readers, taking you behind-the-scenes for a day of Saluki Football camp.

CARBONDALE, Ill. — ET Harris will never forget the day last spring when head coach Nick Hill and quarterbacks coach Michael Lindauer brought him in for a meeting and asked him to switch from quarterback to wide receiver.

CARBONDALE, Ill. — Saluki fifth-year defensive end Ibrahim Sanogo was often bullied at school when he was a kid, but that all changed once he stepped onto the football field. At that point, he became the bully.

CARBONDALE, Ill. — Thanks to a U.S. District court ruling two weeks ago, Saluki Football welcomed the return of wideout and return specialist Tae Marrero on Friday.

CARBONDALE, Ill. — When Southern Illinois freshman defensive tackle Caillou Robinson needs to relax after an intense day of football, he often likes to build a LEGO set.

CARBONDALE, Ill. — The Saluki Football season opener at West Florida is less than three weeks away, and there’s one player who’s been looking forward to this contest more than most — safety Matthew McClelland.

CARBONDALE, Ill. — When Saluki Football teammates DJ Williams, Lukus McDaniels and Gavin Shepard get done fishing, sometimes the facts are in dispute, but there’s one thing they can agree on — a good time was had by all.

CARBONDALE, Ill. — They call Blaine Halley “The Squatch,” and it might be the most appropriate nickname on the Saluki Football team.

CARBONDALE, Ill. — Cornerback Naz Hill was a three-star recruit coming out of Kankakee High School in 2022, but after two years at Wyoming, plus the 2025 season at Southern Illinois, he had played in just a handful of college games, and ended the season on the scout team for the Salukis.

CARBONDALE, Ill. — A word of warning to defenses — Saluki running back Chandler Chapman has added a new wrinkle to his game.

CARBONDALE, Ill. — One of the marks of a great football team is when guys are willing to embrace whatever role they’re called upon to play.