FCS-CFB Game Preview: Indiana State Sycamores (2-3) vs. Southern Illinois Salukis (4-1)

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Venue & Game Info

Stadium: Saluki Stadium (capacity ~15,000)

Location: Carbondale, Illinois

Kickoff Time: 4:00 PM ET (3:00 PM CT local)

Broadcast: ESPN+

Weather Forecast (Carbondale, IL)

Conditions: Mostly sunny

Temperature: ~76°F at kickoff, cooling into the upper 60s by evening

Wind: 5–8 mph

Impact: Ideal football weather; minimal effect on passing/kicking

Injury Report

Indiana State Sycamores:

QB Elijah Owens – Probable (minor shoulder soreness)

RB Plez Lawrence – Probable (ankle tweak)

Southern Illinois Salukis:

QB Deyon Williams – Probable (hand bruise, cleared to play)

WR Vinson Davis III – Questionable (hamstring tightness)

Key Player Matchups

QB Elijah Owens (Indiana St.) vs SIU Secondary

Owens: 317 passing yards, 3 TDs, 1 INT. Needs efficiency against a strong Saluki defense.

RB Plez Lawrence (Indiana St.) vs LB Andrew Behm (SIU)

Lawrence: 211 rushing yards, 3 TDs. Behm leads SIU with 41 tackles.

QB Deyon Williams (SIU) vs Indiana State Pass Rush

Williams: 988 passing yards, 9 TDs, 2 INTs, plus 316 rushing yards and 7 rushing TDs.

WR Vinson Davis III (SIU) vs CB Kimal Clark (Indiana St.)

Davis: 356 receiving yards, 2 TDs. Clark leads ISU with 36 tackles.

Recent Team Form

Indiana State (2–2)

W 41–24 vs McKendree

W 38–14 vs Eastern Illinois

L 73–0 @ Indiana

L 63–20 @ Montana

Offense: 24.8 PPG Defense: 43.5 PPG

Southern Illinois (3–1)

W 49–3 vs Thomas More

L 34–17 @ Purdue

W 37–10 @ UT Martin

W 59–31 @ SEMO

Offense: 40.5 PPG Defense: 19.5 PPG

Series History

All‑time: Southern Illinois leads the series

Recent:

2024: SIU 38–9

2023: SIU 47–21

2021: SIU 23–14

Trend: SIU has won 3 straight, all by double digits.

ATS (Against the Spread):

Indiana State: 2–3 ATS last 5

Southern Illinois: 4–1 ATS last 5

Historical Betting Results:

SIU has covered in 3 straight vs ISU

Indiana State has failed to cover in 4 of last 5 road games

Projected Score: Southern Illinois 45 – Indiana State 17

Game Odds

Indiana State Sycamores              59

Southern Illinois Salukis               -26

Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Friday, October 3, 2025