How the Salukis have cranked up their running game
- Tom Weber
- Oct 5
- 4 min read
CARBONDALE, Ill. — A dominant running game has been the missing element from Saluki Football in recent years. That is no longer the case in 2025.
Consider these facts:
Southern Illinois leads the league and ranks sixth in the nation with an average of 240.4 rushing yards per game.
The Salukis have recorded 17 rushing touchdowns through five games. Last year, they had 16 in the entire season.
The team is averaging a stunning 7.1 yards per carry. That compares to 4.4 a year ago.
SIU has run the ball 109 times during the current three-game winning streak, while throwing it only 76 times.
Eight-different players have recorded at least one explosive run, defined as 16+ yards.
Southern’s running backs have lost a total of just six yards on 106 attempts.
What is behind the transformation that has cranked up Southern’s running game?
