SIU plays today in Div. I-AA playoffs

CARBONDALE, Ill. -- There are subplots galore surrounding Southern Illinois' NCAA Division I-AA playoff game agasint Eastern Washington at McAndrew Stadium this afternoon.

The game, which begins at 1:30 p.m., could be billed as a shootout between the two most prolific quarterbacks in Division I-AA. Eastern Washington junior Erik Meyer is the nation's top-ranked passer, while SIU junior Joel Sambursky is No. 2.

It could be billed as a showdown between two of the top I-AA conferences: Eastern Washington is from the Big Sky; SIU is from the Gateway.

Add the "Can-a-good-defense-stop-a-good-offense debate?"

The Eagles scored 51 points in their regular-season finale, a 51-44 overtime win over Montana State.

On the other hand, SIU's defense, which allows just 11.2 points per game is ranked second in the nation.

But, why hazard a headache considering all those scenarios?

Bottom line is something will happen in Carbondale this afternoon that hasn't been seen since 1983 -- before most of the current Salukis were born - as SIU will host a playoff game.

The last time SIU fans were treated to a home playoff game, Rick Johnson and Derrick Taylor led the Salukis to a 23-7 win over Nevada-Reno on a cold, miserable day. The Salukis nailed down the national championship with a 43-7 win over Western Carolina the following week.

Bringing playoff football back to the phony grass and rusty walls of venerable McAndrew Stadium was one of the goals of this team. The Salukis have won the only two playoff games ever played at McAndrew.

"I think it will be big," said senior cornerback Yemi Akisanya. "Everybody remembers last year when we went to Delaware. This year, we have the home field advantage and we want to take advantage of that."

Akisanya surveyed the facilities at McAndrew, and acknowledged the stadium is not impressive by big-time football standards. That will make no difference this afternoon.

"I'll be so focused, I won't know if anyone is out there," he said. "It's fun to play here. There's something about this field. I live to play here. I just seem to play a lot better when I'm out here."

Coach Jerry Kill, who has seen his team go from 1-10 in 2001 to the current No. 1 ranked team in I-AA, wanted the game for the fans, but also for ulterior reasons.

"I feel the crowd and the atmosphere can put us over the edge," he said. "The atmosphere of a playoff game is a huge advantage. We have to create that here.

When we went to Delaware last year there were 22,000 screaming lunatics. We want that here."

Sambursky remembers the experience well.

"It's great for our fans," he said. "They haven't been able to witness a home playoff game in a long time. I know what it's like to play in tough, hostile environments."

Junior linebacker Tony Rinella of Marion is particularly pleased to bring playoff football to Southern Illinois.

"It's always a goal to play here," he said. "We felt we deserved the No. 1 seed and got it. We just have to come out here and play Southern Illinois football."

Playing Southern Illinois football would mean shutting down the high- powered Eagles attack.

Meyer has passed for 3,037 yards this season. He has thrown 51 touchdown passes in his career. Eric Kimble is his favorite target - Kimble has 68 catches for 1,207 yards and 16 touchdowns this year."

As noted earlier, the SIU defense is ranked No. 2 in the nation.

The development of that subplot will probably determine which team advances to meet the winner of Sam Houston State or Western Kentucky contest. If SIU wins, the game will be back at McAndrew Stadium.