Salukis coach Jerry Kill has described himself as “a hard-hat, lunch-pail guy.” Accordingly, he subscribes to the football philosophy of “run the football and stop the run.” Following this formula, Southern Illinois of the Gateway Conference seeks to go 3-0 Saturday when it plays host to Murray State of the Ohio Valley. . . .
Led by Tom “Thunder” Koutsos and Muhammad “Lightning” Abdulqaadir, SIU rushed for 279 yards on 47 carries, a 5.9-yard average, in last week’s 28-7 victory at Southeast Missouri State. Koutsos bulldozed 103 yards on 13 carries, averaging 7.9. Abdulqaadir ran for 91 on 15 attempts, a 6.1-yard average, and scored two TDs. . . .
Southern Illinois defenders limited Southeast Missouri State to a 1.7-yard average, with 59 yards on 34 rushes, and shut out the OVC team until the final play.
