CARBONDALE (WSIL)-- 2 weeks ago SIU football took down the number one team in the country . Some people were skeptical, saying it was just one game, could be a fluke. Yesterday the salukis validated that win solidifying themselves as a top contender in the FCS by knocking off 4th ranked Northern Iowa.
"We just took down two big fish, and they're gonna be right on our wall hanging," said quarterback Stone Labanowitz.
Being left out of the playoffs last year hurt and the salukis haven't stopped playing with that chip on their shoulder this season, already taking down two top five opponents.
"Over the years, I've been here about five or six years now, to finally see everything start to turn around," said safety Qua Brown. " Our biggest thing, biggest emphasis was to go out there and earn some respect. We feel like we're a team that's really good, but we don't quite get as much respect in this conference as we believe we should."
"That's what we've we've talked about," said Head Coach Nick Hill. "That's what we recruited these guys on a vision to become, a top five program in the country, and not just a flash in the pan but to sustain that."
Salukis continue to find magic on offense, no matter who is at the helm. Third string QB Stone Labanowitz took over for an injured Nick Baker and overcame a 13 point deficit.
"You see it across the country now at all levels. As things aren't going your way, you complain, and you quit, but Stone has just been so awesome for our team and the unity on our team and his approach every day to practice. It's hard, he's third string quarterback to start the season. That's what I'm most proud of. Then he made plays, he operated and made plays."
One of the biggest plays from Labanowitz was just a three yard throw to Jerron Rollins. That touchdown gave SIU the go ahead.
"Every single day in practice, pre practice, individual, we get the receivers together and we get the quarterbacks together," said Labanowitz. "When everyone else is doing something else, we're at the five yard line working on redzone concepts. One of the ones we work on every single day is that concept. The teaching and the coaching point is put that ball where nobody but the receiver can get it. And it's just hilarious how this stuff comes together because I put that ball where nobody but Jerron can get and he went up and made a play."
While the dogs continue to find their stride on offense. The defensive line is proving to be quite formidable.
"We knew it would be up to us we're down 13 zero. If they don't score, they don't win," said Brown. " So, we did everything we could to keep them out of the endzone."
"We're probably the most physical team in the valley. "Upfront offensively and defensively. I mean, we're scary on film to scout us. There's guys you got to be worried about," said Labanowitz
