Salukis primed for conference season after Bye Week

CARBONDALE, Ill. — Saluki Football enjoyed a well-earned, two-day break during its bye-week last week, but on Tuesday morning, the team was fired up to return to game prep.

Shug Walker

“We definitely missed it last week,” said linebacker Shug Walker. “You could tell today, the boys are ready to go, ready to have an opponent, glad to be back to game-week. Every game is its own little battle.”

On Saturday, No. 10-ranked SIU (3-1) hosts unranked Indiana State (2-2) in the first game of an eight-week grind of Missouri Valley Football Conference contests.

“As an offense, we came out of the bye week with the mindset that we've got work to do,” said center Noah Fenske. “Indiana State’s defense plays really hard. They have four D-Linemen who get after you, if you let them. Their linebackers play hard and their DBs are physical. Every team in this conference can go out and beat any other team.”

Caden Reeves

Defensive tackle Caden Reeves said the Salukis are trained to prepare the same way each week.

“Starting with Thomas More, we play everyone like they're the number-one team in the Valley,” Reeves said. “Coach (Nick) Hill says it a lot, if you don't respect this game, this game will just disrespect you, and you're going to get beat.”

Right tackle Cam Dye agreed.

“It felt good being away for a day or two, just getting the body right,” he said. “Now it’s game week and we treat every team with respect. With Indiana State, it’s our job to come out here and go 1-0 in the conference and just start early on them. Looking forward to a great home crowd coming back for Family Weekend.”

Cam Dye

The Salukis have not played a home game since Aug. 30, with that five-week break matching the longest in school history.

“I always have a little bit of an extra chip when we get to play at home,” Fenske said. “I love this place. This fan base and community has been nothing but amazing to me in my family.”

Three words that nobody has said this week — North Dakota State. The No. 1-ranked Bison are next week’s opponent and no one is looking ahead.

“When next week comes, we'll be worried about that week,” Fenske said. “We are worried about playing the Sycamores this weekend and doing a good job of putting on a good show for our fans.”