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Dale Lennon hopes to see a see-saw spring game at 1 p.m. today at McAndrew Stadium, as the Southern Illinois University football team officially closes spring practice.

The Salukis could return eight starters on offense and 10 on defense, but key position battles continue on the offensive line, wide receiver and running back.

"You want to see a pretty good interaction with the offense and the defense," said Lennon, SIU's second-year coach. "I don't want to see one side dominating the other one. I want to see a good give and take, and I want to see us play sharp."

Redshirt sophomore Chris Dieker entered the spring as the Salukis' top quarterback, but all four signal-callers will see action in today's situational scrimmage. Army transfer Paul McIntosh, redshirt freshman Taylor Beasley and redshirt freshman Bobby Brenneisen are all expected to see action today behind new center Bryan Boemer.

Boemer, last year's backup center, is expected to be one of two newcomers to the offensive line. Juniors Mike Nitti, John Purdy and Shawn Smith all started last season, albeit at different positions. Nitti is playing both guard and tackle this spring, Purdy moved to right tackle, while Smith has moved from guard to tackle.

"We're meshing together," Smith said. "We're just trying to fit everyone together, and see what works well in the spring."
http://www.southernillinoisan.com/artic ... 877158.txt

Follow-up article.

http://www.thesouthern.com/articles/200 ... 890241.txt

I say we start campaigning for college gameday to come to CF for the big show down this fall. I can't wait.

DJH wrote:I say we start campaigning for college gameday to come to CF for the big show down this fall. I can't wait.

That would be a great idea - as long as UNI and SIU don't stumble first

If both teams could somehow pull some big upsets and beat their FBS opponents, that would definitley help with the national pub.

So who is this big suprise that SIU has?

clenz wrote:So who is this big suprise that SIU has?

clenz wrote:So who is this big suprise that SIU has?

If I told you I'd have to kill you........

The Salukis are going to say this crap all season long, just to make themselves believe that they can win in the Dome...

DJH wrote:The Salukis are going to say this crap all season long, just to make themselves believe that they can win in the Dome...

Believe? Lennon won there with a D2 team.

Yeah thats right, a D-2 team did what all those great SIU teams couldn't do.

Grabs big bag of Popcorn

houndawg wrote:

DJH wrote:The Salukis are going to say this crap all season long, just to make themselves believe that they can win in the Dome...

Believe? Lennon won there with a D2 team.

Trivia question of the day:

Question: Name something a D2 team has done that SIU hasnt' since 1996.
Answer: Beat UNI in the UNIDome

clenz wrote:

houndawg wrote:
Believe? Lennon won there with a D2 team.

Trivia question of the day:

Question: Name something a D2 team has done that SIU hasnt' since 1996.

Won a national championship?

Sorry, wrong question.

houndawg wrote:

clenz wrote:Trivia question of the day:

Question: Name something a D2 team has done that SIU hasnt' since 1996.

Won a national championship?

Sorry, wrong question.

I don't know if you realize it or not...but you burned yourself. If so, great humor. If you were trying to burn UNI...failz.

clenz wrote:

houndawg wrote:
Won a national championship?

Sorry, wrong question.

I don't know if you realize it or not...but you burned yourself. If so, great humor. If you were trying to burn UNI...failz.

Unlike recent years where SIU has been picked to finish in the middle of the pack and exceeded expectations, this year will be different with SIU likely picked with UNI to finish 1st or 2nd as the defending champs with 17 starters returning. That means this years game will be a big game, and, well, you know how things have been for you lately in big games in the dome.

houndawg wrote:

clenz wrote: I don't know if you realize it or not...but you burned yourself. If so, great humor. If you were trying to burn UNI...failz.

Unlike recent years where SIU has been picked to finish in the middle of the pack and exceeded expectations, this year will be different with SIU likely picked with UNI to finish 1st or 2nd as the defending champs with 17 starters returning. That means this years game will be a big game, and, well, you know how things have been for you lately in big games in the dome.

Almost as well as your games in the dome dating back to the mid 90's

clenz wrote:

houndawg wrote:
Unlike recent years where SIU has been picked to finish in the middle of the pack and exceeded expectations, this year will be different with SIU likely picked with UNI to finish 1st or 2nd as the defending champs with 17 starters returning. That means this years game will be a big game, and, well, you know how things have been for you lately in big games in the dome.

Almost as well as your games in the dome dating back to the mid 90's

Not even that well, unfortunately.

If your o-line isn't as slow-footed as last year's group you might have a chance.

houndawg wrote:

clenz wrote: I don't know if you realize it or not...but you burned yourself. If so, great humor. If you were trying to burn UNI...failz.

Unlike recent years where SIU has been picked to finish in the middle of the pack and exceeded expectations, this year will be different with SIU likely picked with UNI to finish 1st or 2nd as the defending champs with 17 starters returning. That means this years game will be a big game, and, well, you know how things have been for you lately in big games in the dome.

Well, every year, UNI is picked to finish on top of the pack. And, well, they finish on top of the pack every year.

Seriously though, can't wati for the game. I hope it lives up to the hype like it did two years ago. That was a classic. UNI and SIU are clearly a step above the rest of the Valley in the last few years.

houndawg wrote:

clenz wrote:Almost as well as your games in the dome dating back to the mid 90's

Not even that well, unfortunately.

If your o-line isn't as slow-footed as last year's group you might have a chance.

I'm sorry, did you just diss the UNI o-line? That has been one of the strengths of our team for a while now. We had to players drafted last season, and might have another on an NFL team this year.

DJH wrote:

houndawg wrote:
Not even that well, unfortunately.

If your o-line isn't as slow-footed as last year's group you might have a chance.

I'm sorry, did you just diss the UNI o-line? That has been one of the strengths of our team for a while now. We had to players drafted last season, and might have another on an NFL team this year.

Given that, you'd think they could have pass blocked better against a team stuck in it's brand new base defense.

Both teams look to be much improved this year, I think we'll have a slight edge on defense speed-wise... the only certainty is that NDSU will continue to struggle while adapting to a tougher league....

houndawg wrote:

clenz wrote:So who is this big suprise that SIU has?

If I told you I'd have to kill you........

Well can I get this SUPRISE ????

SIUallDAY wrote:

houndawg wrote:
If I told you I'd have to kill you........

Well can I get this SUPRISE ????

I'm not at liberty to discuss it. They laughed at me a few years when I said we had a 260 lb. RB that ran a 4.5, now they've all heard of Brandon Jacobs.