It's game day. Southern Illinois University Carbondale comes to Coughlin Alumni Stadium for a clash of the 2009 Missouri Valley Football titans. Lots of statistical similarities between the Salukis and the Jackrabbits -- and some dissimilarities, too. The winner will at least share the conference champion title.
Both teams appear to be headed for the FCS playoffs -- for SIU, the 1983 National Champs and a top four team in 2007, it'll be the seventh playoff appearance in a row. For the Jackrabbits, it'll be the first post-season appearance.
The Salukis are playing their last season in venerable McAndrew Stadium, opened in 1938. Next year, the as-yet-unnamed New Stadium opens with a projected capacity of 15,000.
Artists rendition of the new stadium:
Artist's interior view of the new stadium:
Quick facts about Southern Illinois University Carbondale
...flagship of the Southern Illinois University system which includes Carbondale’s sister institution, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville.
...founded 1869
...student population, approx. 21,000
...is a "Doctoral Research Extensive" institution, granting a full range of bachelor’s degrees on through doctoral degrees including professional degrees in medicine and law
...a few famous grads: Jim Belushi, actor/comedian; Richard Roundtree, actor (Shaft); baseball star Steve Finley; basketball great Walt "Clyde" Frazier; controversial US Senator for Illinois (at least the way he got the job) Roland Burris
...award winning school newspaper, the Daily Egyptian;
...Head Coach Dale Lennon came to SIUC from U North Dakota
Both teams appear to be headed for the FCS playoffs -- for SIU, the 1983 National Champs and a top four team in 2007, it'll be the seventh playoff appearance in a row. For the Jackrabbits, it'll be the first post-season appearance.
The Salukis are playing their last season in venerable McAndrew Stadium, opened in 1938. Next year, the as-yet-unnamed New Stadium opens with a projected capacity of 15,000.
Artists rendition of the new stadium:
Artist's interior view of the new stadium:
Quick facts about Southern Illinois University Carbondale
...flagship of the Southern Illinois University system which includes Carbondale’s sister institution, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville.
...founded 1869
...student population, approx. 21,000
...is a "Doctoral Research Extensive" institution, granting a full range of bachelor’s degrees on through doctoral degrees including professional degrees in medicine and law
...a few famous grads: Jim Belushi, actor/comedian; Richard Roundtree, actor (Shaft); baseball star Steve Finley; basketball great Walt "Clyde" Frazier; controversial US Senator for Illinois (at least the way he got the job) Roland Burris
...award winning school newspaper, the Daily Egyptian;
...Head Coach Dale Lennon came to SIUC from U North Dakota
Comment