FARGO -- The last time NDSU played at Southern Illinois was in 2005. And McAndrew Stadium was then showing its age with a few crumbling cracks in the concrete steps.
This is the last year Saluki fans will have to worry about it. The Salukis are in the midst of a major facilities upgrade including building a new 15,000-seat football stadium set to open next season. It includes new offices and meeting rooms.
"The whole 9 yards," said head coach Dale Lennon.
The teams hook up tonight at 6 in the Missouri Valley Football Conference opener. The game will only be seen locally via Webcast at www.gobison.com either on your computer or some local bars and restaurants.
McAndrew, capacity 17,324, is in its 73rd season. Each of the first four games will be dedicated to an era of Saluki football.
ADVERTISEMENT
The new stadium has yet to be named.
"The magnitude is pretty significant," Lennon said. "It will be a very nice complex."
Bison place another
on 'Good Works' team
North Dakota State has an impressive community service streak going in college football. For the sixth straight year, the Bison placed somebody on the 22-player Allstate American Football Coaches Association "Good Works" Team.
This time, Richard Bowman got the honor. The 5-9, 170-pound senior joins the list that includes Tyler Roehl in 2008, Steve Walker in 2007, Kyle Steffes in 2006, Tim Popowski in 2005 and Jared Essler in 2004.
NDSU is grouped in a combined team that includes Division I Football Championship Subdivision and divisions II, III and NAIA.
Bowman's resume includes work with MeritCare Hospital in Fargo, Fargo Parks and Recreation and volunteering for football camps at NDSU and his hometown high school of North Shore High in Houston.
ADVERTISEMENT
NDSU hoping for more pressure from interior
NDSU head coach Craig Bohl said he would like to see the interior of his defense got more pressure on the quarterback. Junior defensive tackle Matt Gratzek agrees.
"The first couple of game we ran into some really good athletes," Gratzek said. "Now we're back in rhythm and we should get back on track."
The Bison have four quarterback sacks -- three by a defensive end and one by a safety. Sophomore defensive end Coulter Boyer leads the way with two quarterback sacks and two lost tackles for yardage.
"Hopefully we can step up the pace this week with the inside guys," Bohl said.
Etc. etc. etc.
For the first time this season, the NDSU defense will not see a predominant spread offense. SIU runs a more traditional multiple alignment. ... SIU has been ranked in the top 25 of either the coaches or media FCS polls for 85 straight weeks. ... NDSU's 35-27 win over the Salukis last year was SIU's only conference loss of the year. ... Senior Pat Paschall's FCS-leading rushing output is at 163.0 yards per game.
The Forum and The Dickinson Press are both owned by Forum Communications Co.
