2025 Southern Illinois Salukis football team

2025 Southern Illinois Salukis football
ConferenceMissouri Valley Football Conference
Ranking
STATSNo. 23
FCS CoachesNo. 25
Record7–5 (4–4 MVFC)
Head coach
Defensive coordinatorLee Pronschinske (1st season)
Home stadiumSaluki Stadium
2025 Missouri Valley Football Conference standings
Conf. Overall
Team   W   L     W   L  
No. 1 North Dakota State $^   8 – 0     12 – 1  
No. 12 South Dakota ^   6 – 2     10 – 5  
No. 17т Illinois State ^   5 – 3     12 – 4  
No. 19 North Dakota ^   5 – 3     8 – 6  
No. 14 Youngstown State ^   5 – 3     8 – 5  
No. 16 South Dakota State ^   4 – 4     9 – 5  
No. 23 Southern Illinois   4 – 4     7 – 5  
Northern Iowa   1 – 7     3 – 9  
Murray State   1 – 7     1 – 11  
Indiana State   1 – 7     3 – 9  
  • $ – Conference champion
  • ^ – FCS playoff participant
As of December 22, 2025
Rankings from STATS Poll

The 2025 Southern Illinois Salukis football team represented Southern Illinois University Carbondale as a member of the Missouri Valley Football Conference (MVFC) during the 2025 NCAA Division I FCS football season. The Salukis were led by tenth-year head coach Nick Hill, and played their home games at Saluki Stadium in Carbondale, Illinois.

Preseason

MVFC poll

Main article: 2025 Missouri Valley Football Conference season § Preseason

The Missouri Valley Football Conference released its preseason poll on July 21, 2025, voted on by league athletic directors, coaches, and media members. The Salukis were predicted to finish sixth in the conference.[1]

Transfers

Outgoing

Player Position Destination
Allen Middleton WR Bowling Green
Jamond Mathis DE Kent State
Jamir Conn DB Nebraska
Keontez Lewis WR Oklahoma
Desman Hearns DB Wyoming
Ross Pedro LS Unknown

Incoming

Player Position Previous school
Jackson Parker WR Albany
Jacob Katauskas OL Coastal Carolina
Blayne Sisson WR Illinois
Fabian McCray WR Jackson State
Antonio Ross Jr. OL Jackson State
Donnie Wingate DE Lindenwood
Ryan Algrim LS Minnesota
Matthew McClelland DB Morehead State
Dashaun Gibson DB Northern Illinois
Kyle Thomas WR Northern Illinois
Ty Walls WR Oklahoma State
Bernadin Fleurima Jr. DT Robert Morris
Naz Hill DB Wyoming

[2][3][4][5][6]

Schedule

DateTimeOpponentRankSiteTVResultAttendance
August 306:00 p.m.Thomas More*No. 20
ESPN+W 49–36,585
September 66:30 p.m.at Purdue*No. 14
BTNL 17–3454,663
September 136:00 p.m.at UT Martin*No. 17
ESPN+W 37–105,402
September 206:00 p.m.at Southeast Missouri State*No. 13
ESPN+W 59–318,050
October 46:00 p.m.Indiana StateNo. 10
  • Saluki Stadium
  • Carbondale, IL
ESPN+W 55–2710,132
October 112:30 p.m.at No. 1 North Dakota StateNo. 8
ESPN+L 17–4515,812
October 1812:00 p.m.No. 9 North DakotaNo. 12
  • Saluki Stadium
  • Carbondale, IL
ESPN+L 19–385,132
October 252:00 p.m.Northern IowaNo. 16
  • Saluki Stadium
  • Carbondale, IL
ESPN+W 31–178,115
November 14:00 p.m.at Murray StateNo. 16
ESPN+W 27–78,506
November 81:00 p.m.at No. 21 Youngstown StateNo. 15
ESPN+L 38–488,448
November 1512:00 p.m.No. 17 South DakotaNo. 21
  • Saluki Stadium
  • Carbondale, IL
ESPN+L 51–53 5OT5,622
November 2212:00 p.m.at No. 11 Illinois StateNo. 24
ESPN+W 37–76,895
  • *Non-conference game
  • Homecoming
  • Rankings from STATS Poll released prior to the game
  • All times are in Central time

[7][8]

Game summaries

Thomas More (DII)

See also: Thomas More Saints football
Thomas More Saints (DII) (0–0) at No. 20 Southern Illinois Salukis (0–0) – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Saints (DII) 0 3 003
No. 20 Salukis 7 21 71449

at Saluki Stadium, Carbondale, IL

  • Date: August 30, 2025
  • Game time: 6:00 p.m.
  • Game weather: Sunny
  • Game attendance: 6,585
  • Referee: Tyler Downs
  • TV: ESPN+
Game information
First Quarter
  • (11:11) SIU – DJ Williams 10-yard run, Paul Geelan kick (Drive: 8 plays, 69 yards, 3:44; Southern Illinois 7–0)
Second Quarter
  • (11:51) SIU – Jay Jones 18-yard pass from DJ Williams, Paul Geelan kick (Drive: 13 plays, 73 yards, 6:05; Southern Illinois 14–0)
  • (6:40) SIU – Jackson Parker 17-yard pass from DJ Williams, Paul Geelan kick (Drive: 4 plays, 50 yards, 1:25; Southern Illinois 21–0)
  • (2:15) THO – Luke Iden 29-yard field goal (Drive: 9 plays, 64 yards, 4:19; Southern Illinois 21–3)
  • (0:00) SIU – Lem Wash 1-yard run, Paul Geelan kick (Drive: 8 plays, 48 yards, 1:12; Southern Illinois 28–3)
Third Quarter
  • (9:55) SIU – Fabian McCray 17-yard pass from DJ Williams, Paul Geelan kick (Drive: 3 plays, 55 yards, 1:18; Southern Illinois 35–3)
Fourth Quarter
  • (10:40) SIU – David Obadein 5-yard interception, Paul Geelan kick (Southern Illinois 42–3)
  • (7:28) SIU – Quade Chatmon 3-yard run, Tanner Trachsel kick (Drive: 5 plays, 24 yards, 2:29; Southern Illinois 49–3)
Statistics THO SIU
First downs 13 24
Total yards 191 386
Rushing yards 60 148
Passing yards 131 238
Passing: Comp–Att–Int 18–29–2 20–29–0
Time of possession 33:12 26:48
Team Category Player Statistics
Thomas More Passing Griffin Scalf 16/23, 98 yards, INT
Rushing Eli White 12 carries, 33 yards
Receiving Brook Harris 2 receptions, 33 yards
Southern Illinois Passing DJ Williams 18/24, 227 yards, 3 TD
Rushing Shaun Lester Jr. 8 carries, 39 yards
Receiving Vinson Davis III 6 receptions, 97 yards

at Purdue (FBS)

See also: 2025 Purdue Boilermakers football team
No. 14 Southern Illinois Salukis (1–0) at Purdue Boilermakers (FBS) (1–0) – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
No. 14 Salukis 14 0 0317
Boilermakers (FBS) 14 10 3734

at Ross–Ade Stadium • West Lafayette, Indiana

  • Date: September 6
  • Game time: 7:30 p.m.
  • Game weather:  
  • Game attendance: 54,663
  • Referee: Francisco Villar
  • TV announcers (BTN): Mark Followill, Anthony Herron, and Dannie Rogers
Game information
First quarter
  • SIU – DJ Williams 7-yard run (Paul Geelen kick), 10:29. Salukis 7–0. Drive: 10 plays, 75 yards, 4:31.
  • PUR – Arhmad Branch 13-yard pass from Ryan Browne (Spencer Porath kick), 6:34. Tied 7–7. Drive: 9 plays, 72 yards, 3:49.
  • SIU – Ryan Schwendeman 4-yard pass from DJ Williams (Paul Geelen kick), 5:08. Salukis 14–7. Drive: 3 plays, 75 yards, 1:26.
  • PUR – Nitro Tuggle 29-yard pass from Ryan Browne (Spencer Porath kick), 1:33. Tied 14–14. Drive: 8 plays, 76 yards, 3:31.
Second quarter
  • PUR – Spencer Porath 25-yard field goal, 10:41. Boilermakers 17–14. Drive: 9 plays, 52 yards, 4:15.
  • PUR – Devin Mockobee 1-yard run (Spencer Porath kick), 1:21. Boilermakers 24–14. Drive: 12 plays, 55 yards, 5:00.
Third quarter
  • PUR – Spencer Porath 43-yard field goal, 6:15. Boilermakers 27–14. Drive: 10 plays, 23 yards, 4:57.
Fourth quarter
  • PUR – Devin Mockobee 1-yard run (Spencer Porath kick), 11:48. Boilermakers 34–14. Drive: 13 plays, 70 yards, 7:10.
  • SIU – Paul Geelen 53-yard field goal, 7:41. Boilermakers 34–17. Drive: 10 plays, 40 yards, 4:07.
Statistics SIU PUR
First downs 20 29
Total yards 283 384
Rushes–yards 26–81 53–214
Passing yards 202 170
Passing: comp–att–int 20–34–0 14–23–1
Turnovers 0 1
Time of possession 23:14 36:46
Team Category Player Statistics
Southern Illinois Passing DJ Williams 20/33, 202 yards, TD
Rushing Vinson Davis III 2 carries, 22 yards
Receiving Fabian McCray 2 receptions, 72 yards
Purdue Passing Ryan Browne 14/23, 170 yards, 2 TD, INT
Rushing Devin Mockobee 32 carries, 126 yards, 2 TD
Receiving George Burhenn 3 receptions, 48 yards

at UT Martin

See also: 2025 UT Martin Skyhawks football team
No. 17 Southern Illinois Salukis (1–1) at UT Martin Skyhawks (0–2) – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
No. 17 Salukis 7 10 13737
Skyhawks 0 7 3010

at Graham Stadium, Martin, TN

  • Date: September 13, 2025
  • Game time: 6:00 p.m.
  • Game weather: Sunny • Temperature: 91 °F (33 °C) • Wind: SW at 5 miles per hour (8.0 km/h)
  • Game attendance: 5,402
  • Referee: Brandon McCain
  • TV: ESPN+
Game information
First Quarter
  • (11:35) SIU – DJ Williams 4-yard run, Paul Geelen kick (Drive: 3 plays, 60 yards, 1:31; Southern Illinois 7–0)
Second Quarter
  • (11:07) SIU – Fabian McCray 56-yard pass from DJ Williams, Paul Geelen kick (Drive: 5 plays, 73 yards, 3:09; Southern Illinois 14–0)
  • (2:43) UTM – Drake Martinez 2-yard pass from Jase Bauer, Cade Hechter kick (Drive: 11 plays, 69 yards, 6:24; Southern Illinois 14–7)
  • (0:00) SIU – Paul Geelen 28-yard field goal (Drive: 4 plays, 59 yards, 0:30; Southern Illinois 17–7)
Third Quarter
  • (11:32) SIU – DJ Williams 13-yard run, Paul Geelen kick (Drive: 7 plays, 58 yards, 3:22; Southern Illinois 24–7)
  • (5:34) UTM – Cade Hechter 33-yard field goal (Drive: 9 plays, 60 yards, 5:58; Southern Illinois 24–10)
  • (2:53) SIU – DJ Williams 12-yard run (Drive: 3 plays, 60 yards, 1:31; Southern Illinois 30–10)
Fourth Quarter
  • (1:51) SIU – Chandler Chapman 44-yard run, Paul Geelen kick (Drive: 6 plays, 75 yards, 3:14; Southern Illinois 37–10)
Statistics SIU UTM
First downs 22 16
Total yards 490 291
Rushing yards 273 113
Passing yards 217 178
Passing: Comp–Att–Int 13–18–2 23–32–1
Time of possession 29:05 30:55
Team Category Player Statistics
Southern Illinois Passing DJ Williams 13/18, 217 yards, TD, 2 INT
Rushing DJ Williams 14 carries, 128 yards, 3 TD
Receiving Jay Jones 4 receptions, 65 yards
UT Martin Passing Jase Bauer 22/29, 173 yards, TD
Rushing Jase Bauer 9 carries, 52 yards
Receiving Bryce Bailey 6 receptions, 70 yards

at Southeast Missouri State

See also: 2025 Southeast Missouri State Redhawks football team
No. 13 Southern Illinois Salukis (2–1) at Southeast Missouri State Redhawks (1–2) – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
No. 13 Salukis - - --0
Redhawks - - --0

at Houck Stadium, Cape Girardeau, MO

  • Date: September 20, 2025
  • Game time: 6:00 p.m.
  • TV announcers (ESPN+): Erik Sean (play-by-play) and Rick Wieser (analyst)
Statistics SIU SEMO
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession
Team Category Player Statistics
Southern Illinois Passing
Rushing
Receiving
Southeast Missouri State Passing
Rushing
Receiving

Indiana State

See also: 2025 Indiana State Sycamores football team
Indiana State Sycamores (2–2) vs. No. 10 Southern Illinois Salukis (3–1) – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Sycamores 7 7 6727
No. 10 Salukis 21 17 71055

at Saluki Stadium, Carbondale, IL

  • Date: October 4, 2025
  • Game time: 6:00 p.m.
  • TV announcers (ESPN+): Larry Larson (play-by-play) and Kerry Martin (analyst)
Statistics INST SIU
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession
Team Category Player Statistics
Indiana State Passing
Rushing
Receiving
Southern Illinois Passing
Rushing
Receiving

at No. 1 North Dakota State

See also: 2025 North Dakota State Bison football team
No. 8 Southern Illinois Salukis (4–1) vs. No. 1 North Dakota State Bison (5–0) – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
No. 8 Salukis 3 7 0717
No. 1 Bison 7 10 141445

at Fargodome, Fargo, ND

  • Date: October 11, 2025
  • Game time: 2:30 p.m.
  • Game weather: Indoors • Temperature: 70 °F (21 °C)
  • Game attendance: 15,812
  • Referee: Carl Chapman
  • TV announcers (ESPN+): Dom Izzo (play-by-play), Kyle Emanuel (analyst) and Sam Goetzinger (sideline)
Game information
First Quarter
  • (7:15) SIU – Paul Geelen 35-yard field goal (Drive: 13 plays, 58 yards, 7:45; Southern Illinois 3–0)
  • (7:02) NDSU – Bryce Lance 75-yard run, Eli Ozick kick (Drive: 1 play, 75 yards, 0:13; North Dakota State 7–3)
Second Quarter
  • (14:56) SIU – Chandler Chapman 5-yard run, Paul Geelen kick (Drive: 6 plays, 65 yards, 3:15; Southern Illinois 10–7)
  • (6:12) NDSU – Eli Ozick 38-yard field goal (Drive: 6 plays, 42 yards, 2:35; Tied 10–10)
  • (0:29) NDSU – Bryce Lance 9-yard pass from Cole Payton, Eli Ozick kick (Drive: 5 plays, 71 yards, 0:44; North Dakota State 17–10)
Third Quarter
  • (10:57) NDSU – Cole Payton 2-yard run, Eli Ozick kick (Drive: 8 plays, 75 yards, 4:03; North Dakota State 24–10)
  • (4:51) NDSU – Cole Payton 41-yard run, Eli Ozick kick (Drive: 9 plays, 74 yards, 5:29; North Dakota State 31–10)
Fourth Quarter
  • (11:23) NDSU – Barika Kpeenu 6-yard run, Eli Ozick kick (Drive: 9 plays, 75 yards, 5:32; North Dakota State 38–10)
  • (8:57) NDSU – DJ Scott 24-yard run, Eli Ozick kick (Drive: 4 plays, 32 yards, 1:54; North Dakota State 45–10)
  • (6:58) SIU – DJ Williams 3-yard run, Paul Geelen kick (Drive: 6 plays, 75 yards, 1:59; North Dakota State 45–17)
Statistics SIU NDSU
First downs 22 24
Total yards 313 540
Rushing yards 123 264
Passing yards 190 276
Passing: Comp–Att–Int 15–29–1 16–19–0
Time of possession 27:14 32:45
Team Category Player Statistics
Southern Illinois Passing DJ Williams 15/29, 190 yards, INT
Rushing DJ Williams 15 carries, 41 yards, TD
Receiving Fabian McCray 4 receptions, 52 yards
North Dakota State Passing Cole Payton 13/16, 243 yards, TD
Rushing Bryce Lance 1 carry, 75 yards, TD
Receiving Bryce Lance 4 receptions, 79 yards, TD

No. 9 North Dakota

See also: 2025 North Dakota Fighting Hawks football team
No. 9 North Dakota Fighting Hawks (4–2) vs. No. 12 Southern Illinois Salukis (4–2) – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
No. 9 Fighting Hawks - - --0
No. 12 Salukis - - --0

at Saluki Stadium, Carbondale, IL

  • Date: October 18, 2025
  • Game time: 2:00 p.m.
  • TV announcers (ESPN+): Larry Larson (play-by-play) and Kerry Martin (analyst)
Statistics UND SIU
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession
Team Category Player Statistics
North Dakota Passing
Rushing
Receiving
Southern Illinois Passing
Rushing
Receiving

Northern Iowa

See also: 2025 Northern Iowa Panthers football team
Northern Iowa Panthers (2–5) vs. No. 16 Southern Illinois Salukis (4–3) – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Panthers - - --0
No. 16 Salukis - - --0

at Saluki Stadium, Carbondale, IL

  • Date: October 25, 2025
  • Game time: 2:00 p.m.
Statistics UNI SIU
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession
Team Category Player Statistics
Northern Iowa Passing
Rushing
Receiving
Southern Illinois Passing
Rushing
Receiving

at Murray State

See also: 2025 Murray State Racers football team
No. 16 Southern Illinois Salukis (5–3) vs. Murray State Racers (0–8) – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
No. 16 Salukis - - --0
Racers - - --0

at Roy Stewart Stadium, Murray, KY

  • Date: November 1, 2025
  • Game time: 4:00 p.m.
  • TV: ESPN+
Statistics SIU MUR
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession
Team Category Player Statistics
Southern Illinois Passing
Rushing
Receiving
Murray State Passing
Rushing
Receiving

at No. 21 Youngstown State

See also: 2025 Youngstown State Penguins football team
No. 15 Southern Illinois Salukis (6–3) vs. No. 21 Youngstown State Penguins (5–4) – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
No. 15 Salukis - - --0
No. 21 Penguins - - --0

at Stambaugh Stadium, Youngstown, OH

  • Date: November 8, 2025
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m.
Statistics SIU YSU
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession
Team Category Player Statistics
Southern Illinois Passing
Rushing
Receiving
Youngstown State Passing
Rushing
Receiving

No. 17 South Dakota

See also: 2025 South Dakota Coyotes football team
No. 17 South Dakota Coyotes (7–4) vs. No. 21 Southern Illinois Salukis (6–4) – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
No. 17 Coyotes - - --0
No. 21 Salukis - - --0

at Saluki Stadium, Carbondale, IL

  • Date: November 15, 2025
  • Game time: 12:00 p.m.
Statistics SDAK SIU
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession
Team Category Player Statistics
South Dakota Passing
Rushing
Receiving
Southern Illinois Passing
Rushing
Receiving

at No. 11 Illinois State

See also: 2025 Illinois State Redbirds football team
No. 24 Southern Illinois Salukis (6–5) vs. No. 11 Illinois State Redbirds (8–3) – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
No. 24 Salukis - - --0
No. 11 Redbirds - - --0

at Hancock Stadium, Normal, IL

  • Date: November 22, 2025
  • Game time: 12:00 p.m.
Statistics SIU ILST
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession
Team Category Player Statistics
Southern Illinois Passing
Rushing
Receiving
Illinois State Passing
Rushing
Receiving

Ranking movements

Ranking movements
Legend: ██ Increase in ranking ██ Decrease in ranking
RV = Received votes
Week
PollPre12345678910111213Final
STATS FCS201417131110812161615212423
Coaches20151411121191218171623RV25

References

  1. ^ "Missouri Valley Football Announces predicted order of finish". valley-football.org. Missouri Valley Football Conference. July 21, 2025. Retrieved July 22, 2025.
  2. ^ "2025 FCS-to-FCS Transfers". herosports.
  3. ^ "2025 FBS-to-FCS Transfers". herosports.
  4. ^ "2025 FCS-to-FBS Transfers". herosports.
  5. ^ "Southern Illinois Salukis 2025 College Football Transfer Portal". 247sports.
  6. ^ "2025 Southern Illinois Salukis Football Transfers". on3.
  7. ^ "2025 Southern Illinois Football Schedule". FBSchedules.com. Retrieved January 18, 2025.
  8. ^ Mathis, Christi (October 29, 2024). "2025 dates announced for SIU's Saluki Family Weekend, Homecoming". siu. Retrieved January 18, 2025.
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