TV/radio: 3 p.m. Saturday, Fox Sports Net; WLBK-AM 1360, WAUR-AM 930.
Line: No line.
2004 record: SIU 1-0. NIU 0-1.
Series: NIU leads 27-13-1.
Last meeting: NIU won 45-15 on Oct. 2, 1993, in DeKalb. LeShon Johnson broke a 92-yard touchdown run on NIU’s first play.
Team comparison:
More Top Picks Best Double Strollers Side By Side
(2004 averages, rank)
%%
CATEGORY SIU NIU
Rushing offense 320 (5) 118 (58)
Passing offense 234 (27) 219 (45)
Total offense 554 (7) 337 (58)
Scoring offense 42 (17) 20 (61)
Rushing defense 67 (14) 198 (70)
Passing defense 183 (46) 169 (35)
Total defense 250 (24) 367 (53)
Scoring defense 3 (7) 23 (57)
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SIU outlook: Salukis love to run the ball. Brandon Jacobs, a 260-pound transfer from Auburn, rushed for four touchdowns and 106 yards in 42-3 romp over Southeast Missouri State. Arkee Whitlock rushed for 109 yards. Jerry Jackson, a transfer from Minnesota, ran for 48. SIU returns 19 starters from last year’s 10-2 Div. I-AA NCAA playoff and Gateway title team.
NIU outlook: Sophomore Phil Horvath, who passed for 219 yards in 23-20 loss at Maryland, is slated to step in again for injured QB Josh Haldi. Two leaders in solo tackles at Maryland were safeties Ray Smith with 10 and Lionel Hickenbottom with 8.