Salukis relishing opportunity to play meaningful November football

CARBONDALE, Ill. — Beginning with Youngstown State on Saturday, Southern Illinois faces three nationally ranked teams to finish its regular season. The stakes are high, because in just 19 days, the FCS Playoff bracket will be set.

“This is why I came to Southern Illinois, to play meaningful games in November, have a chance to go to the playoffs,” said quarterback DJ Williams, who ranks third in the nation in Points Responsible For with 15 passing and 13 rushing touchdowns. “Everything that we want is right in front of us.”

DJ Williams

The No. 16-ranked Salukis (6-3, 3-2) have won two-straight games, putting themselves in position to make the playoffs for the fourth time in the last six seasons. They also made trips in 2020, 2021 and 2023.   

“It definitely just amps you up a little bit, brings you to another gear,” said senior linebacker Colin Bohanek, who was on SIU’s 2023 playoff team after transferring from Eastern Illinois. “I came here to help a team win November games that mean something, and it's awesome to have that opportunity again.”

For senior linebacker Shug Walker, who transferred from Murray State a year ago, this is his first and last shot at making the postseason.

Shug Walker

“It's an honor being with this great group of guys on a team that’s got a shot,” he said. “I’m really trying to take advantage of these days and make them special. That's what our coaches have us focused on doing. We’re hammering away every single day and not taking it for granted, because it goes by so quickly.”

No detail is too small this time of year, according to Bohanek.

“Everything matters,” he said. “Staying on top of schoolwork, getting treatment in the training room, extra work in the weight room — it all adds up and helps you come prepared to play well. I love being around these guys and I'm just trying to make the most of every single day, not waste any reps, any minute that I'm here.”

Each week brings a new challenge. Case in point — the quarterback for the No. 22-ranked Penguins, Beau Brungard, not only leads the conference in passing yards (2,082), but has also surpassed 1,000 yards rushing.

“Beau’s a great player and it's just an exciting challenge to go up against a great program, a great team,” Walker said. “You don't want to go up against bad competition. We're excited to go battle it out in Ohio and let it all hang out.”

The Salukis are getting healthier on defense at just the right time, welcoming back linebacker Chris Presto and safety Cejai Parson in consecutive weeks. It’s no coincidence that the defense has held its last two opponents to 300 or fewer yards both times.

Colin Bohanek

“Our growth as a unit throughout this season has been amazing,” Bohanek said. “I feel like we haven't collectively as a group played our best game yet, so that’s exciting to think about.”

The offense is also making strides, especially in the run game, where it has posted back-to-back 200+ yard rushing efforts during the winning streak.

After beating Murray State during a driving rain on Saturday, a game in which the team seemed to embrace the bad weather, Williams said the Salukis are relishing the opportunities ahead.

“The off-season is right around the corner for some people,” Williams said. “You have to cherish the moments and leave it all out there because you don't know what's guaranteed for you next.”