Bison Media Zone on Xtra: Salukis Pursue Historic First Victory in Fargo
North Dakota State gears up for its singular home game of October this Saturday, engaging Southern Illinois in an exciting top-eight ranked matchup. Southern Illinois arrives with an impressive 4-1 record, marking victories over teams like Thomas More, Southeast Missouri State, UT Martin, and Indiana State, with their only setback against Purdue from the Big Ten.
Southern Illinois Key Players and Coach Highlights
The Salukis are powered by standout quarterback DJ Williams, who has been a dominant force in FCS football in 2025. Williams has amassed 20 touchdowns (11 passing, 9 rushing) over the first five games of the season. The team’s strategic guidance comes from Head Coach Nick Hill, who is currently in his tenth year at the helm. This makes him the second-longest tenured coach in the Missouri Valley Football Conference, following Illinois State’s Brock Spack.
Past Encounters and Competition Overview
This season Hill asserts that his lineup is the strongest he has ever brought to face North Dakota State in Fargo. Historically, Southern Illinois has struggled to secure a win in Fargo, losing all of their previous seven matches, including a 34-10 defeat in November 2023.
Expert Insights on the Upcoming Game
Emegypt’s sports analysts, Mike McFeely and Dom Izzo, offer a detailed preview of the matchup. They also delve into other key games happening this Saturday across the Missouri Valley Football Conference. Dom Izzo, who serves as the Sports Director at WDAY-TV, has been with the station since 2006. Initially joining as a weekend sports anchor, Izzo took over as Sports Director in 2010, bringing valuable insights into local sports events.
