Corners will give SIU defense a presence this year

Two seasons ago, when SIU left corner back Tory Lewis was but a redshirt freshman, he was 175-pounder who was matched up on the Saluki defense on the right side by a 5-foot-9, 170-pounder. Those smallish corners gave up mucho yardage through the air and on the ground.

This year, the cornerback position may be SIU's strength - both figuratively and literally. Returning corner backs have been bulked up by SIU's strength program, and SIU coach Nick Hill has imported two corner backs who have both strength and size.

Lewis started on the Saluki defense's left side in last Saturday's first scrimmage, garnering three tackles and two pass break-ups. Starting on the right side was 5-foot-11, 190-pound University of Wisconsin transfer Titus Booker.

Booker responded with three tackles, and both he and Lewis, along with star safety Jeremy Chinn's three tackles, helped give the Saluki offense some problems. The Dawgs' defensive backs are now up in the face of wide receivers, not playing off the ball.

"We're letting our corners press more," Hill said. "That's because we are now longer and more physical."

The results of those changes were obvious in Saturday's scrimmage. Starting Saluki quarterback Sam Straub completed only seven passes in 17 attempts for 71 yards. In fact, the total of completions for the four SIU quarterbacks for the scrimmage was only 14 for 27 attempts.

Of course, that does not mean the usually potent Saluki offense has to go back to the drawing board. Straub is still recovering from his season-ending hand injury last year, and the scrimmage was played in a rainy drizzle that surely impeded grip on the pigskin.

Also, Hill was impressed by the other aspects of Straub's game. Hill also was trying to look at another aspect of the Dawgs' offensive game: the running attack.

Thus, University of Missouri transfer Nate Strong and returning star running back Daquan Isom averaged more than 5 yards a carry. Strong, a former three-star recruit from East St. Louis High, was impressive with his power running game.

"Strong had been limited coming into spring practice because he had tweaked a leg muscle pre-camp," Hill said. "But he's looked better every day as he learns plays and gets into football shape."

Straub came up for praise by Hill, too.

"Straub has such great control of the offense, as he always gets the team in the right alignment," Hill said. "I call him my co-offensive coordinator even though he's a player."

At times, the quarterbacks did get the ball to their stable of great receivers. Sophomore E'Mare Hogan (five catches for 45 yards) and transfer Raphael Leonard (two for 44 yards) led the way. Hogan has clearly stepped up his game since last fall.

"He's an entirely different E'Mare from last fall," Hill said. "He's an elite athlete and probably the fastest player on the roster."

Hogan, Leonard, and returning wideouts Darrell James, sophomore Sam Bonansinga and Iowa transfer Matt Quarells all will see action next season.

The Dawgs have only two more major scrimmages left in the next two weeks of spring workouts. Next up is a Saturday scrimmage starting at 10 a.m. sharp at Saluki Stadium. The scrimmage is free to the public.