Recalling Northwestern upset, Aidan Quinn, Cejai Parson speak to team's mindset then and now

CARBONDALE, Ill. — The oddsmakers list Purdue as a 22.5-point favorite when it hosts Southern Illinois on Saturday night, but being the underdog in this FCS versus Big Ten matchup won't affect SIU's mindset heading into the game, according to two players who have done this before.

The last time the Salukis played a Big Ten opponent was just three years ago, when they upset Northwestern, 31-24. Only two current players — senior tight end Aidan Quinn and senior safety Cejai Parson — played in the game versus the Wildcats, and can speak to the team’s mindset, then and now.

Aidan Quinn

“I was just a sophomore then, but thinking back, everyone was really focused on their role,” Quinn said. “As a unit, we can have success, but don't let the thought of ‘this is a Power Four team’ become overwhelming. It's still football. It's still 11 versus 11. Just settle down and do your job.”

Parson pointed out that the Salukis were 0-2 heading to Northwestern, but the record had no bearing on the team’s approach.

“FCS versus FBS is how it's labeled, but we weren't looking at it like that,” Parson said. “We treat everyone the same, whether it's FBS, D2, Missouri Valley, we respect each opponent. I remember the feeling of winning at Northwestern, coming into the locker room after the game, it was a powerful win.”

The gap in compensation between the FCS and FBS has grown since 2022. The scholarship difference used to be 85-63, but now FBS schools can spread scholarships up to a maximum of 105 players. In addition, Purdue is sharing millions of dollars of revenue with its players. Altogether, the Boilermakers have a massive financial advantage.

“We are the underdogs, but even though we're FCS, we're still good ball-players who can go out and compete with anybody,” Quinn said. “Watching them on film, they're a fast group, they fly around, very physical. They're at that level for a reason. You have a healthy respect for them, but you have to love the challenge.”

Cejai Parson

Parson said he doesn’t carry a grudge over being bypassed by the FBS level.

“I’m not really out to show anybody wrong,” he said. “I have a chip on my shoulder just to be the best that I can be, but it's not because these people didn't recruit me or I didn't go Big Ten, because I'm thankful to be where I'm at. You know, God blessed me to be at SIU, so I just want to do everything that I can — sweat and tears — for this program.”

Still, there’s an undeniable added excitement for the opportunity to play a team at the highest level of college football.

“When you go into a Big Ten atmosphere, it's just you and your guys, and it seems like it's you against the whole world,” Quinn said. “You’re not just facing the other team, but facing the crowd. It’s exciting. It’s a chance to prove it to everyone and to prove it to yourself.”

This will be just the 10th time in school history Southern has faced a Big Ten opponent. Other than Northwestern, the only other win came at Indiana in 2006.

“I just want to be there for my brothers, play our game, play as a team,” Parson said. “The same thing that we've been preaching since January, we want to go out there and do those things on Saturday.”

Photo Gallery vs. Northwestern, Sept. 17, 2022