Offensive line

With 77 career starts between them, Southern Illinois’ offensive line has proved itself in battle.

Both tackles Darren Marquez and Andrew Kernes have 26 starts under their belts. And the pair of seniors have earned their share of honors.

Marquez was selected as an honorable mention on the All-Gateway Conference team last season, while Kernes was named to second-team All-Gateway Conference.

The rest of the group has also received a fair share of recognition. Sophomore right guard Shawn Smith was named to the Gateway All-Newcomer team last season, as his counterpart on the left, junior Aaron Lockwood, was a Gateway Conference Offensive Lineman of the Week last season.


Quarterback

In his first game of the 2007 season, senior Nick Hill completed 13-of-18 passes for 179 yards and two touchdowns.

In his 13 games as a starter last season, the Western Kentucky transfer threw only four interceptions out of his 196 attempts. Good enough to give him a 156.7 efficiency rating.

The 6-foot-3-inch quarterback averaged 132.4 yards per game and threw for 15 touchdown passes last season. Four of those touchdowns came against Indiana as the Salukis beat the Hoosiers 35-28.


Running back

Last season, running back Arkee Whitlock provided SIU with 25 touchdowns, 1,828 yards and 13 games as a healthy starter.

But you won’t get a chance to see Whitlock on Saturday this year, as the SIU graduate is now with the Minnesota Vikings.

However, SIU fans are not worried about replacing their feature rusher. Senior John Randle rushed for 127 yards and two touchdowns on 17 carries last Saturday against Quincy.

Expect to see multiple bodies in the backfield too, as the Salukis run a two back system with a fullback. Sophomore Rick Burgess played in nine games last season and will start for SIU.


Receivers

At 210-pounds and 6-feet tall, Alan Turner looks to be Nick Hill’s main target.
The senior was second on the team last year with 22 catches and 411 yards.

Turner started off the season where he left off, as he picked up 59 yards and a touchdown on four catches.

Junior Damian Sherman will start at the other wide out spot for SIU. The 6-foot-4 receiver had three catches for 51 yards in the season opener against Quincy. The junior college transfer has yet to play a game with the Salukis, as he was redshirted last year.

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