Nov. 2, 2009

By Jason Clay
www.SIUSalukis.com

Click Here for Complete Game Notes

Game Day Quick Facts
TELEVISION: None
RADIO: Saluki Sports Network with Mike Reis (play-by-play), Gene Green (color analyst) and Joel Sambursky (sideline) on WVZA-FM 105.1 in Carbondale.
INTERNET AUDIO: Saluki All-Access (sign up at www.siusalukis.com).
INTERNET VIDEO: www.gojacks.com
LIVE STATS: www.siusalukis.com

With the league title and an automatic bid into the FCS Playoffs on the line, No. 3 Southern Illinois and No. 9 South Dakota State are set for the Missouri Valley Football Conference showdown this Saturday in Brookings, S.D. ... This will be the first game in Valley Football history between two teams with 6-0 league records and kickoff is set for 1 p.m. in Coughlin Alumni Stadium... Fans can listen to all the action with "Voice of the Salukis" Mike Reis, color analyst Gene Green and sideline reporter Joel Sambursky on the Saluki Sports Network beginning at noon on WVZA-FM 105.1 in Carbondale... A win Saturday will guarantee Southern Illinois at least a share of its fifth conference championship since 2003... The Salukis can also tie the MVFC record for most consecutive league wins, as SIU's 12-straight conference victories are one shy of Northern Iowa's league record of 13 that they won from 1993-95... Two of the nations top defensives will be featured Saturday. South Dakota State leads the nation by allowing just 11.4 points per game and will be going up against the Saluki offense that is 11th nationally in scoring offense by averaging nearly 34 points per game. The Saluki defense ranks No. 8 in the FCS by allowing just 14.1 points per game and they lead the league in sacks... Southern Illinois has already played a Top 10 team on the road this year and came out victorious. They defeated then second-ranked Northern Iowa, 27-20, on Oct. 17... The Jackrabbits are 1-1 against ranked opponents this year, with a win over No. 6 Northern Iowa at home and a loss at No. 17 Cal Poly.

Saluki Headlines
• The winner of Saturday's game secures the leagues automatic playoff-bid and at least a share of the conference championship.
• SIU can tie the MVFC record for most consecutive league victories with a win, which would be its 13th-straight.
• Bryce Morris was named the special teams National Player of the Week on Monday by the Sports Network.