In 2007, the Salukis were victorious against Northern Illinois University. This marked the second consecutive year that SIU has beaten an FBS school in football.[2] In 2006, the Salukis defeated Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana, 35-28.[3] SIU has been ranked in the Top-20 of the FCS Coaches Poll for 54 straight weeks. The Salukis have won 40 games since 2003, ranking 12th in Division 1 football during that time span.[4]
Note: Since 1981, the NCAA Division I FCS Playoffs Regional Championships were commonly referred to as the Boardwalk Bowl (East Region Championship), Pecan Bowl (Midwest Region Championship), Grantland Rice Bowl (South Region Championship), and Camellia Bowl (West Region Championship).
Championships[]
Conference Championships[]
1947 - Illinois Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Champions
Cornell Craig is the schools all-time leading receiver and first receiver in school history to earn consensus All-American honors (1999). His senior season he led the nation in receiving with 77 receptions for 1,419 yards and 15 touchdowns. He also amassed over 2,000 all-purpose yards as a senior. His career numbers (all Saluki records) are 207 receptions, 3,508 yards, and 37 touchdowns. He was inducted into the SIU Athletic Hall of Fame in 2008 and is also honored on Missouri Valley Football Conference 25th anniversary team along with 3 other Salukis.[5]
Home venue[]
Main article: Saluki Stadium
SIU Football plays at the new 15,000-seat Saluki Stadium, which replaced McAndrew Stadium, the home of Saluki Football since 1938.[6] Saluki Stadium opened on September 2, 2010 when a sellout crowd of 15,200 watched the Salukis defeat Quincy 70-7.[7]
The Saluki Stadium is part of the university's larger athletic facilities plan, known as "Saluki Way,"[8] a comprehensive plan to renovate and restructure the campus athletic facilities.[9]
