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Muhammad Abdulqaadir and Southern Illinois are breaking longtime losing habits as they rise in Division I-AA polls. SIU is ranked No. 4 in the nation this week. Last week, as the seventh-ranked I-AA team, the Salukis rallied behind Abdulqaadir’s 200 rushing yards to beat then-No. 2 Western Illinois 37-32. Before last year’s win over the Leathernecks, SIU had lost to WIU 18 times in a row. This week, Gateway Conference leader SIU (7-0) plays host to Southwest Missouri State, winner of 14 of its last 16 against the Salukis. . . . Abdulqaadir was named Gateway offensive player of the week. . . .
Tom Koutsos has become the league’s all-time leader with 4,317 rushing yards and 47 touchdowns in his career.
