Southern Illinois: Interesting developments from Saluki Football scrimmage

[News from the FCS]

There were plenty of interesting developments from Saturday's Saluki football scrimmage. Here's a top 10 list.1. There is no quarterback controversy this year. QB Kory Faulkner was poised and in command of the offense. He took all of the reps with the first team, and of the 38 passes attempted by the four quarterbacks, Faulkner accounted for half of them. A year ago, the coaches were trying to figure out who the quarterback would be. This year, they are simply giving Faulkner plenty of reps to help him develop timing with his receivers.2. Any early concerns about Faulkner's health were alleviated. He had knee surgery and was limited during the summer, but he looked mobile in the pocket Saturday and had no trouble planting and throwing. Faulkner doesn't have a cannon like Chris Dieker, but he still gets plenty of zip on the ball and has enough arm strength to make all the throws required of him.3. RB Mika'il McCall is a big-time talent. It's easy to see why he played at Iowa as a true freshman. At 6-foot and 228 pounds, he has power, speed and shiftiness. He seemed a little tentative at times during the spring, but he was a load yesterday, especially in the open field, finishing with 68 yards on nine carries against a pretty stout run defense.4. RB Steve Strother is a guy who can be very productive in small doses. Only 5-foot-8 and 173 pounds, his max is about 10 carries per game, but if you can get him the ball in space, either as a rusher or receiver, he can make a big play.5. The best tight end I've seen in 11 years covering the team is sophomore MyCole Pruitt. The only player who was close was Braden Jones, who had a few tryouts with the Minnesota Vikings, but couldn't stay healthy. Pruitt is a remarkable athlete for his size (6-3, 247) and really can't be covered by a linebacker. He had a team-high five catches Saturday, including a 70-yard TD. Opposing defenses will have to scheme to stop him.6. Southern has some question marks on the offensive line. The left side is set with Richard Wilson and Nate Haremza. Sophomore Tanner Crum is an explosive blocker and will surely start at either center or right guard. The big question is at right tackle. The coaches would like to see Oklahoma product Victor Craven win the job, but he's been dinged up. Corey Boemer has filled in at right tackle, but the younger cousin of Rimington Award winner Bryan Boemer is better suited to guard. Coach DeBoer told me the unit, which returns only one experienced starter in Wilson, has made a lot of progress since the spring, especially in the running game. The coaches are trying to keep the scheme simple so the line can play hard and fast.7. Perhaps the most development of the scrimmage was the emergence of a couple of transfers in the secondary. Both CB Emmanuel Souarin (Florida International) and S Carlton Lewis (Clemson) made interceptions. Souarin's tackling has been especially impressive, and he's becoming a vocal leader. Coach Schweigert told me it's harder for a safety to learn the nuances of a new defense, but Lewis is making good strides. He's a guy who is used to playing against ACC talent, and they want him to respect the caliber of player at this level and not slip into cruise control.8. Both the offense and defense can take solace in their red zone performance. The offense only had one touchdown in five trips, but they could have had a second if a Faulkner pass doesn't go off the finger tips of WR Luke Standiford. The defense created a turnover in Tay Grifin's pick of an A.J. Hill pass, but DeBoer said the throw was made to the correct spot -- the receiver simply mis-read the coverage.9. SIU is still searching for depth on its defensive line. They have an elite group of seniors in ends Ken Boatright and Eze Obiora, plus NT Kayon Swanson. They need a young guy like DE Adam Brandt to step up and give the starters a breather. Brandt picked up a sack yesterday, and that was good to see.10. P Austin Pucylowski

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