The Salukis, ranked No. 1 in Division 1-AA, are a good bet to score a bundle of points Saturday against Northern Iowa in a Gateway Conference opener in Carbondale.
The two teams rolled up 83 points in last year’s 43-40 SIU win, and the Salukis (3-1) have averaged 45 points a game while winning their last eight games at McAndrew Stadium.
Quarterback Joel Sambursky has let his receivers to share the wealth, completing passes to 14 different teammates in four games.
Four tailbacks have shared 10 receptions: Brandon Jacobs, Arkee Whitlock, Terry Jackson and Antione Jackson. SIU tailbacks caught only 15 passes last year. . . . Southern Illinois’ only loss was 23-22 at Division 1-A Northern Illinois. Coach Jerry Kill gambled to win the game with an unsuccessful try for a two-point conversion with 1 minute 29 seconds to play.