Salukis sail to victory
Joei younker Jyounker@dailyegyptian comBlockos closes, local restaurant owners weigh in Baker to Hartrup caps rally to win the Wheel
Over the past six months a multitude of new businesses have made their way into Carbondale. From restaurants, to late night snack places, with even a new deli on the way.
While some of these new businesses are booming and bringing some life back to Carbondale, others have faced too many struggles and have announced their closure.
Blockos was an all American style restaurant that specialized in breakfast and lunch, located on the main strip in Carbondale. After almost seven months of business, it closed permanently Sept. 17.
This closure stirred up emotions around the area, with dozens of comments piled under the WTF? Carbondale Facebook post making the announcement, “Blockos will be closing permanently SUNDAY.”
Owner Alaye Graham responded to the community, posting: “I apologize to everyone that hasn’t had the option to try us, we had the roughest weeks ever being open last week. Thank you to everyone for the support and it was wonderful being a part of the Carbondale community.”
Past customer Katie Evans commented, “My family and I loved your restaurant. My boys thought it was so cool seeing someone so close to their age start a business (incredible!) and the food was delicious.”
Amber Brantley Golchin wrote, “My understanding is that it’s really hard for restaurants in Carbondale… The fact that you came so far is a testament to your strength and talent.”
To that, Graham replied, “We had so many narratives stacked up against us but we fought through ‘em, I was just tired.”
One of those narratives involved a shooting that took place just outside Blockos on Sept. 2. Graham did not specifically mention it in his posts, but it clearly took a toll, forcing the restaurant to lose hours.
Brandyn Wilcoxen BWilcoxen@dailyegyptian comAfter a 370-day residency in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, the Wheel returns to Carbondale after the No. 15/18 Southern Illinois Salukis (3-0) rallied to upset the No. 13/15 Southeast Missouri State Redhawks (1-2) on the road by a score of 26-25 on Saturday night.
“It’s a game we’ll always remember for sure,” head coach Nick Hill said.
The pivotal play of the 91st edition of the SIU-SEMO rivalry came with just 11 seconds left, when quarterback Nic Baker found wide receiver Izaiah Hartrup in the back of the end zone on 4th-and-7 from the 9-yard line.
When asked where that play ranks among his top moments as a Saluki, the four-year starting quarterback of 30 SIU games said “right now it’s number one. I can’t think of anything else.”
That touchdown was made possible by redshirt freshman safety Desman Hearns ripping the ball out of the hands of the former All-American running back Geno Hess. That gave Southern the field position needed to set up the gamewinning score.
“He was holding the ball like a loaf of bread,” Hearns said. “So I went down, I stripped the ball and got it. I tried to score, but someone grabbed me.”
Hearns played in just his fifth career game on Saturday, but has already had a major impact. His forced fumble came just one week after he had a critical fourth-quarter interception to help SIU
hold its 14-11 lead against Northern Illinois.
“Defense, we’re always preaching that. Punch the ball out, get the ball back for the offense,” Hearns said. “The more times the offense has the ball in their hands, the better chances they have scoring and us winning the game.”
Hartrup making the winning catch marks a significant point in his journey as a Saluki. The last time these two teams met, he was forced to watch from the sidelines after an injury kept him from playing in 2022. His impact in this year’s edition of the rivalry is
Marion Veterans Affairs spreads the word on suicide prevention
Brandyn Wilcoxen BWilcoxen@dailyegyptian comAmong the nearly 46,000 U.S. adults to die by suicide in 2020, more than 13% of them were veterans. With rates like that, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is looking to stem the tide and save lives.
The Marion VA Health Care System hosted its first ever Veteran Suicide Prevention Summit on Sept. 14 and 15 at Cornerstone Church in Marion.
Each day featured keynote speakers, resource tables and breakout sessions designed to tackle different angles of suicide prevention.
Topics discussed included posttraumatic stress disorder, substance abuse and homeless, all of which are linked to higher suicide rates among veterans. Not only did the summit aim to bring these issues to light, but also provide information on how to handle them.
“This event is all about bringing the VA’s resources out into our community, to help our community partners work together to eliminate veteran suicide,” said Zachary Sage, executive director of the Marion VA.
Anyone can call the National Suicide Hotline at its new number, 9-8-8, and veterans can then access the Veterans Crisis Line by pressing 1.
“That’s [the Veterans Crisis Line] the first, most ready resource available
for you,” Sage said. “You are welcome to come to any VA clinic, come to our emergency department. Go to any emergency department if you’re in crisis. The most important thing is that you get to a place where you can be safe.”
The Marion VA Health Care System has 12 facilities across southern Illinois, western Kentucky and southwest Indiana. In Illinois,
VA SUMMIT 3
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Homecoming Blood Drive Sign-Ups
American Red Cross
11:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Student Center North Table #3
Contact: Tara Lincoln,Tara.Lincoln@redcross.org
Farmer’s Market
11:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Student Center, The Exchange
Contact: Kent Epplin, kepplin@siu.edu
Study Abroad & Passport Fair
11:00 AM - 1:30 PM
SC Art Gallery, 1st Floor
Contact: studyabr@siu.edu
Explore your options for Study Abroad at SIU Carbondale. Meet with returning students, faculty program leaders and study abroad staff as well as program representatives. You will also be able to apply for a passport if you are a first time applicant or were under 16 when you received your last passport. You will need proof of citizenship, photo ID, application fee and a passport photo. Check online or with our office for the specifics. The Center for International Education will pay the USPS Execution Fee for current, full-time SIU students with valid student ID.
Clarinet Studio Recital
7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
OBF Recital Hall 104
Contact: Eric Mandat, emandat@siu.edu
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The program will feature solos, duos, and trios performed by his pre-college, undergraduate, and graduate students; Mandat will perform in several of the ensembles. The music will range from classic works by Mozart and Haydn to modern compositions by Mandat and Australian composer Philip Czaplowsi. Mandat will also perform Pulitzer Prize winning composer David Lang’s landmark solo bass clarinet composition, Press Release (1991). Mandat, who was the 1999 recipient of the university’s Distinguished Scholar award, has taught at SIU since 1981. The recital is free and open to the public.
$1 Night Bowling and $2 Billiards
6:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Student Center Bowling & Billiards
Contact: Nick Bowen, nb766@siu.edu
Thursday, Sept. 21
Homecoming Blood Drive Sign-Ups
American Red Cross
11:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Student Center North Table #3
Contact: Tara Lincoln,Tara.Lincoln@redcross.org
Saluki Rainbow Network (Weekly Meeting)
6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Student Center Mississippi
Public- Campus Life
Contact: Johnathan Crane, jazzmine.crane@siu.edu
$2 Billiards and $7 Cosmic Bowling
6:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Student Center Bowling & Billiards
Contact: Nick Bowen, nb766@siu.edu
Friday, Sept. 22
Morris Library Fall Semester Blood Drive
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
LIB Hall and Presidents and Chancellors
Contact: Gary Shepherd, lib@siu.edu
$6 Unlimited Bowling
11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Student Center Bowling & Billiards
Contact: Nick Bowen, nb766@siu.edu
Chi Alpha Christian Fellowship Meeting
4:00 PM - 9:30 PM
Student Center Delta Room
Contact: Jaedyn Vela, jaedyn.vela@siu.edu
Yoga and Meditation Bhakti Yoga Club
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
OUT Free Forum (Morris Library)
Contact: Digvijay Verma, digvijay.verma@siu.edu
Esports Valorant Event Night
SIU Esports Club
6:30 PM - 9:00 PM
Student Center Esports
Saturday, Sept. 23
$6 Unlimited Bowling
1:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Student Center Bowling & Billiards
Contact: Nick Bowen, nb766@siu.edu
Sunday, Sept. 24
Sunday Funday $6 Unlimited Bowling
3:30 PM - 6:30 PM
Student Center Bowling & Billiards
Contact: Nick Bowen, nb766@siu.edu
Monday, Sept. 25
Homecoming Banner
7:00 AM-10:00 PM
Student Center Banner - 2nd Floor Corker Balcony
Contact: Sean Cooney, seandvcooney@siu.edu
Bingo Night
Hispanic Student Council
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Student Center Mississippi
Contact: Israel Ruiz, israel.ruiz@siu.edu
$6 Unlimited Bowling
6:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Student Center Bowling & Billiards
Contact: Nick Bowen, nb766@siu.edu
Tuesday, Sept. 26
Homecoming Banner
7:00 AM-10:00 PM
Student Center Banner - 2nd Floor Corker Balcony
Contact: Sean Cooney, seandvcooney@siu.edu
Homecoming Blood Drive Sign-Ups
American Red Cross
11:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Student Center North Table #3
Contact: Tara Lincoln,Tara.Lincoln@redcross.org
$6 Unlimited Bowling
6:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Student Center Bowling & Billiards
Contact: Nick Bowen, nb766@siu.edu
Song Festival presents: Emily Hatch
7:00 PM - 9:30 PM
OBF Recital Hall 104
Contact: Carissa Scroggins, carissa.scroggins@siu.edu
VA Summit
Continued from 1
they have clinics in Carbondale, Effingham, Harrisburg, Marion and Mt. Vernon. There are also locations in Evansville and Vincennes in Indiana; and Madisonville, Mayfield, Owensboro and Paducah in Kentucky.
“We know how to handle veterans’ issues better than anyone else, and we want to help those veterans as best we can,” Sage said.
One of the presenters on Friday was Dale Horaz, the program manager for Marion VA’s suicide prevention team. He talked about the process his team undergoes for each patient who may be at risk.
“It goes to a national response team first, and then what they will do is they will send a consult down to us, and then my staff work with that veteran and basically take care of whatever needs that that veteran called the Veterans Crisis Line for,” Horaz said.
He also spoke on the importance of having a safety plan in place for anyone who is at risk of suicide. This includes identifying triggers, risk factors or warning signs; developing coping strategies; reaching out to family and friends; and setting means restrictions for anything that could be used to cause self-harm.
Sarah Patrick, an epidemiologist from the Illinois Department of Public Health, also presented on Friday. She described her experience at the event, both as a speaker and an audience member, as “bidirectional.”
“This wasn’t just one meeting of everybody having the exact same background, talking to the choir,” Patrick said. “We all came in with different backgrounds and different pieces of the puzzle. And so by having more pieces of the puzzle, you get more of the picture.”
A recent initiative from the IDPH and the VA included distributing gun locks. Since the program began in June, Patrick said they had given out 57,000 gun locks in three months.
“What we find is that most acts are ones that happen fairly quickly, and if you can just slow that, you, if you can cause a time barrier between the impulse and the event, usually the event doesn’t happen,” Patrick said.
Although his team is focused specifically on helping veterans, Horaz noted that information shared at the summit can be applied to the community at large.
“A lot of what we talk about, even though this is veteran-centered, a lot of these community staff members can use to take back to their population that may not be veterans,” Horaz said. “They can still look at a lot of the risk factors and deal with certain crisis situations in the same way that we do with the veterans.”
Veteran utilization of VA services has increased from 38% in 2007 to 48% in 2016. That still leaves around half of the veteran population that doesn’t go through Veterans Affairs for their health care.
“A veteran doesn’t have to necessarily have to come to the VA to get care. They can choose to go to the community doctor as well,” Horaz said. “So, by sharing this information, they can utilize a lot of that same good stuff that we use.”
The sentiment was echoed by Sage, who noted that veterans often have connections in the community who can also help in the effort to prevent suicide.
“We know that veterans, they may not have a relationship with the VA, but they will probably have a relationship with someone who is connected to some resource around these things,” Sage said. “You may not even know you have a veteran in
your line at your soup kitchen, for example, But you may be that person that could help a veteran in crisis.”
While the Marion VA employs trained and licensed professionals for times of crisis, Horaz said anyone can volunteer to help make a difference in their community.
“We have volunteer services that they literally can volunteer to help veterans do all kinds of things, from, I’ve seen them drive around like a little van and pick them up in a parking lot for a veteran that may not be able to walk to the front door, that type of thing,” Horaz said.
One of the most important things someone can do to help, Horaz said, is “just getting the word out and spreading the word… something that anybody can do.”
Even just being someone that others can talk to will go a long way towards helping them through crisis.
“I remember one provider said, you don’t have to have a clinical
license to pick up the phone and connect with somebody and say ‘I’m just checking in, how are you doing?’ And those are good reminders to have,” Patrick said. On the other hand, Horaz acknowledged the difficulty of being that point of contact for someone. But events like the VA summit are meant to help make that process just a little bit more approachable for everyone.
“Nobody wants to talk to somebody in crisis,” Horaz said. “It’s not easy. It’s not a normal feeling to talk to somebody that’s suicidal. It just doesn’t feel comfortable. But by hopefully some of the information we’ve been able to share the last few days, that person, whether it’s a veteran or not, might get the help that they need just from talking to somebody”
Sage said that the Marion VA hopes to hold another event in Evansville next spring, and then
return to Marion for what could become an annual summit. In the meantime, the organization will continue to work to help roughly 49,000 veterans across the tri-state region.
“We’re really trying to look at suicide in veterans as a public health issue and a community issue, and we’re asking for our community to help us with this important mission,” Sage said.
More resources can be found at the Veterans Affairs website and the Marion VA Facebook page.
The National Suicide Hotline is available 24/7, and can be accessed by dialing 9-8-8. The Veterans Crisis Line is staffed by VA professionals, and can be reached by dialing 9-8-8, then pressing 1.
News editor Brandyn Wilcoxen can be reached at bwilcoxen@ dailyegyptian.com or on Twitter at @BrandynWilcoxen.
Wrongfully imprisoned SIU prof pushes reform
Seven long years in a Philippines jail – accused of a crime he didn’t commit, which the court there would eventually clear him of – taught Southern Illinois University Carbondale researcher Raymund Narag that in some justice systems the process itself is the punishment.
Now his work, informed by that harrowing experience, focuses on preventing such abuses from befalling others. Narag, an associate professor in the School of Justice and Public Safety, examines comparative criminology and criminal justice, studying the criminal justice systems in Asia, with a special focus on the Philippines, and how they respond to crime and deal with offenders.
“My area of research emanated from my profound personal experience as a falsely accused person held for almost seven years in the most crowded jail system in the Metro Manila,” Narag said. Using his research findings and training experiences, Narag provides policy recommendations to legislators and government actors. He also presents his findings to the media and on social media, pushing public opinion toward reforms when needed.
“I am an advocate for a more equitable
criminal justice system,” Narag said. “I advocate for better policing, for more efficient court systems and for better correctional rehabilitation practices.”
Narag conducts empirical research to understand criminal justice realities on the ground where they affect real people. Making use of his extensive personal experiences and connections, he attempts to understand the conditions of individuals experiencing incarceration from various vantage points, including inmates, jail and prison officers, judges and other court actors.
“I utilize research done in the United States and other countries to provide a theorical lens of analysis,” he said. “For example, I use the structural-organizational and cultural lens in explaining different criminal justice outcomes.”
Using his findings, Narag designs training programs for all participants in the criminal justice system. He conducts training sessions on the principles of effective correctional management, which are inspired by reading the vast U.S. research literature but which he then tailors for use in the Asian and
Filipino administrative, political and cultural realities.
The work comes with many challenges, including the social and political norms in the Philippines, which includes a harsh and punitive approach to crime.
“Policy makers tend to resort to penal populism, where detention is utilized as a first resort, even for minor offenses,” Narag said. “This leads to the overcongestion of jails and prisons, prolonged trial detentions and exorbitant costs of running the correctional system.”
Add to that the limited knowledge on best practices in running the correctional system effectively. Many correctional officers in the Philippines use different informal coping mechanisms, due to the limitations in facility, space, resources and personnel, which are against the principles of effective correctional management. Those practices become an integral part of prison management, which breeds inequality of treatment, corruption and violence within the system.
“All these need to be addressed systematically,” Narag said. “My immediate goal is to bring light to the interconnectedness of the problem.”
Narag promotes a framework called “input-throughput-output” aimed at making the system more rational and efficient. It includes concepts such as
police focusing their efforts on more serious crimes and using detention only as a last result – an input.
The courts should work on shortening its “throughput” aspect by improving the pace of case disposition and minimizing postponements and delays in court hearings, Narag said.
“Finally, the corrections system can maximize their output by introducing alternatives to incarceration, such as the use of parole and probation, house arrest, furloughs and other mechanisms,” he said.
Narag also is promoting training reforms, such as criminogenic risk assessment tools inspired by Western theories and paradigms but modified to fit the Filipino cultural realities. Philippine jails, prisons, and parole and probation agencies have pilot-tested the tools, which employ the risk and needs and responsivity principles in correctional management.
“This makes the intervention more focused, less intrusive and more effective,” Narag said. “It has been a very slow process of change, but there are now efforts in the Philippine Congress to introduce legislation creating the Department of Corrections, the modernization and expansion of the Parole and Probation Agency, and the introduction of the Second Chance Act Legislation.”
SIU students find many benefits in volunteering
While oftentimes overlooked, one of the most impactful things that college students can do to better themselves and their community during their time at school is volunteer.
Hundreds of SIU students contribute their time and effort to various causes during every school year, and the administration notices.
SIU wants its students to be involved, both inside and outside the classroom, and volunteering provides an extensive outlet to do so. As such, many students are required to complete and track volunteer hours, whether it is for an organization they are a part of, an aspect of a scholarship or a requirement set forth in a class.
Aimee Lemrise, SIU’s sustainability director, noted that the college experience goes beyond just academics.
“Going to college is much more than just pursuing a career. It is about serving the community in ways that fulfill an individual’s core values,” she said.
Lemrise said SIU recognizes the value of serving the surrounding community.
“The larger community is an extension of the university and can be seen as a sustainability classroom where students can engage in issues and initiatives within the community,” she said.
Engagement outside of the classroom can also
help students develop an appreciation for the area they’re living in.
“Having a sense of community will strengthen student’s connections to the region and give a sense of belonging,” Lemrise said.
Cami Horn, the social services manager for the Marion branch of the Salvation Army, agrees that volunteering can help grow a bond between students and the place they live.
“It’s just more of a sense of community. And I think now, more than ever, our communities really need to get smaller so that they can get healthy,” Horn said.
One reason that many students may not volunteer is because they are unaware that opportunities exist or they don’t know how to find the things that they’re interested in.
According to Lemrise, finding a cause that matters personally may not be as hard as one thinks.
“It’s a very easy process; students can search by topic, such as ‘sustainability volunteer opportunities’ and retrieve a list that matches their interests,” Lemrise said.
The Saluki Volunteer Portal can help. Dozens of causes and organizations covering a broad scope of interests maintain profiles, meaning that most people will be able to find something that appeals to them.
Opportunities are also often available through Registered Student Organizations. One organization, the Saluki Ambassadors, gives campus tours to potential new students. Gael Espriella, an ambassador, sees many benefits from volunteering his time for tours.
“You just definitely have so many great experiences like public speaking, really being on top of the facts of the school and knowing your history, and just really showing your pride for the university,” he said.
Espriella also mentioned increased time management and communication skills as benefits he has received from being a saluki ambassador.
Will Frey, a biochem major, found an opportunity to volunteer with an organization called Gum Drops through another RSO, the
Pre Health Club.
“I decided to volunteer because it was offered through one of my RSO’s, and I thought it was a good cause,” Frey said.
He thinks there are several benefits to volunteering.
“It forces you to do something purely beneficial for someone else within the community,” he said. “I usually leave volunteering feeling good knowing I’m helping someone in need, and often am reminded of just how fortunate I am.”
Frey said that he has “made a lot of friends” at volunteer events. Espriella agrees that volunteering is a great way to meet new people, especially unexpected ones.
“[Volunteering]’s your opportunity to meet new people… you never know what’s going to come from it,” Espriella said. “On top of that, the networking opportunities are insane. That’s how you meet the higher officials of the school, and the more they see you, they’re going to know your name eventually.”
Lemrise further notes the networking potential, saying “everyone students meet could be a potential contact to help their career path.”
She also touches on other important aspects of student volunteering.
“It’s important to volunteer to get hands-on experience and exposure to various professions which could possibly help a student discover their calling in life,” Lemrise said.
There are even benefits to be had outside of the professional scope, too.
“Volunteering can be good for mental, emotional, and physical health… it helps build a greater sense of personal efficacy, personal identity, and usually involves physical activities,” Lemrise said.
Staff Reporter Ryan Grieser can be reached at rgrieser@dailyegyptian.com
“Gun violence is everywhere:”
Carbondale panel takes on recurring issue
Alli GoerinG AGoerinG@dAileGyptiAn com“One incident of gun violence is too many” was the message at a panel discussing gun violence in Carbondale and the nation at large.
Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America organized the panel on Sept. 16 as a way for the speakers to directly communicate with an audience that was concerned.
“We’re not unique, gun violence is everywhere in the United States,” Carbondale City Council Member Clare Killman said.
Others on the panel were Chief of Police Stan Reno, Deputy Antony Williams, Jackson County State’s Attorney Joe Cervantes, mental health counselor Dan Selock, City Council Member Ginger Rye-Sanders and Reverend Joseph A. Brown. They were asked a series of questions crafted by the community.
“I’m here because this is nothing new,” Brown said when discussing gun violence.
Moms Demand Action and Cervantes gave out gun locks free of charge. They had a booth set up with information to further educate the community in taking precautions to avoid violence.
Jane Otto, a spokesperson for Moms Demand Action, described what the organization does to assist communities in educating themselves about gun safety.
“We do a Be Smart program, which is an adult program about gun safety in the home. The purpose of that is to
bring people together so we normalize the conversation about guns in the home and how to safely secure them.”
When Cervantes was asked if Carbondale was actually as violent as people portrayed it to be, he answered “absolutely not.”
Reno was posed the same question as Cervantes and provided a very detailed message.
“Perceptions can, often times, be influenced by various factors, including media coverage, personal experiences and societal discourse,” Reno said. “Public perception may sometimes be worse than the actual statistical reality, however, it is important to remember that even one incident of gun violence is too many and the impact it has on those affected is immeasurable.”
Cervantes’s four main causes of gun violence: unemployed adults with low education, domestic violence and aggravated domestic battery, violence with the sale of cannabis and repeat offenders who are already in the system.
Cervantes said the people on the panel are trying to stop gun violence and stay in contact with the community to make changes.
“The panel is just another way for me to talk to the community. There’s a lot of people working hard everyday to make sure that violence doesn’t happen again and we forget about that part,” Cervantes said.
The panel also discussed the mental
health crisis occurring with gun violence. The police have gathered mental health advocates to go with them when they have to confront someone with a gun.
“There has to be a desire to look at the mental health aspect of gun violence,” Selock said.
The panel talked about the importance of communication with the community, the city counsel and the university.
Rye-Sanders said, “Together we can make a change.”
Williams noted the work the local police department does with the university police.
“SIU has always been there and vise versa,” he said.
Both departments work together closely to patrol and protect students. The Carbondale police department had officers patrolling campus when they had enough staff.
They are still continuing to try to improve the way they communicate and work together, as well as working with the community.
“It’s our responsibility to work to reduce the actual instances of gun violence while also working to provide accurate information and engage the community to bridge the gap between perception and reality,” Reno said. “We have to work together to provide safety for everyone.”
Staff reporter Alli Goering can be reached at agoering@dailyegyptian.com
SIU 26 vs. SEMO 25
undeniable, with two fourthquarter touchdowns.
“I would probably say this is my favorite win,” Hartrup said. “Not just at SIU, but just my favorite win in general in my life.”
Within the context of the rivalry, Saturday’s contest served as revenge for the Salukis. This time last year, the two teams were at Saluki Stadium, and it was SEMO that came away with the game-winning score with 11 seconds left.
In the 2023 edition, history repeated itself with the roles reversed, and the Wheel will be returning to Carbondale as proof of the Saluki victory.
“We all know how big this rivalry is,” Hartrup said. “So to bring that [the Wheel] home, we’re definitely happy about that.”
This time around, SIU was in hostile territory. But with the Dawg Pound situated directly behind the Saluki bench, as well as many traveling fans and alumni making the 50-mile trip, it still felt like an environment that Southern Illinois could feed off of.
“I thought the atmosphere was outstanding. Our fans were outstanding,” Hill said. “Any time you can go on the road and feel like the momentum switched and you kinda have the home field advantage, is big.”
Before Hearns’s forced fumble, the turnover margin had favored the Redhawks heavily. Between Baker tossing two interceptions in enemy territory during the second quarter, and Salukis receivers committing fumbles on back-to-back drives in the third, Southern had several opportunities quite literally slip through their fingers.
The Saluki offense struggled for much of the game, including getting shut out in the first half. SEMO went into the locker room
with an abnormal 15-0 lead after scoring two field goals, a safety and adding a touchdown near the end of the half.
Baker would finish with 462 yards on 37-for-51 passing, tossing three touchdowns against two interceptions. While the record books will credit the full game for a performance that tallied the second-most passing yards in school history, more than 400 of those yards came in the second half alone.
Hill said that he called out Baker’s play at halftime, having struggled through the first 30 minutes. What followed was a performance that essentially erased a forgettable first half.
“He doesn’t get rattled,” Hill said. “He can have the worst two quarters that you could possibly have as an offensive player, in his eyes; he holds himself to a high standard. But at halftime, he just looks you in the eye and says ‘I got you.’”
Baker now holds the top three passing performances in school history, as his total on Saturday topped his “big day” against SEMO in 2021, and fell just shy of the record, a game featuring a “one yard short” hail mary against Northern Iowa in 2022.
Southern briefly shifted momentum its way out of the break, quickly ending the shutout and cutting into the Redhawks lead with a touchdown by running back Ro Elliott. But even with that, the extra point was blocked, keeping the SEMO lead at two possessions.
Every point would count in this one, as proven several times throughout. After the Salukis forced a quick three-and-out, Baker found Vinson Davis on a 68-yard catch-and-run score to make the Redhawks lead 15-13, with the second-quarter safety serving as the difference.
SIU football is no stranger to tight games. In seven contests that ended in a one-possession margin, the Salukis went 2-5 in
2022. That has been a point of emphasis, as it may serve as the difference between success and failure in a tough Missouri Valley Conference.
“We understand, playing eight weeks in a row in the Missouri Valley… there are games like this that come down to one score,” Hill said. “They’re similar environments, they’re similar games, they’re physical games.”
In the second half, the Saluki defense held firm. The Redhawks only managed two scoring drives out of seven total in the second half. Without that unit’s efforts, Saturday’s game might have gotten out of hand without a chance for a comeback.
The offense seemed to find a gear after Hill’s halftime speech, as all of its drives ended inside the SEMO 30-yard line.
“In the second half, it felt like we were moving the ball at will,” Baker said. “It’s like, I’ve never been a part of something like this.”
However, two of those drives were stopped cold by red zone fumbles, and another resulted in a turnover on downs with just 3:39 left in the game.
Despite committing four total turnovers and having two more drives stall out on fourth downs, the Saluki defense never let the game get away. SEMO’s 15-point halftime lead was as large as it got all night; and outside of a lengthy touchdown drive for SEMO midway through the third quarter, the Redhawks only crossed midfield once in the second half.
“You still kept looking up, and
like, we’re only two scores,” Hill said. “Then we get it to one score, and it was like, if our defense can keep getting us the ball back, I don’t think they can stop us right
at just a 2-for-11 clip, but it went 4-for-6 on fourth down plays. That included three conversions across Southern’s two touchdown drives in the fourth quarter.
now with the rhythm that Nic’s playing with, and we felt good about some of the coverages they were playing.”
Saturday’s win marks the first time since 2014 that the Salukis have started 3-0. It is the first time since the 1983 National Championship season that SIU beat SEMO as well as an FBS (formerly Div. I-A) opponent.
Even with the victory, there is still plenty to work on. Aside from the turnover margin, one of the biggest issues the Salukis faced was penalties. Southern was flagged seven times, four of which resulted directly in SEMO first downs.
SIU converted on third down
While SEMO converted far more often on third down, SIU actually had a slightly better rate when considering third and fourth downs combined; SEMO went 6-for-18, and SIU went 6-for-17.
SIU will go home and celebrate with the Wheel, as it enters the bye week. The Salukis’ next game will come on Sept. 30, as they will host the Missouri State Bears during Family Weekend to open up their Missouri Valley Conference schedule. Sports Editor Brandyn
“I would probably say this is my favorite win,” Hartrup said. “Not just at SIU, but just my favorite win in general in my life.”
- Izaiah Hartrup SIU Wide ReceiverCory McCalip (55) sprays water from the team gatorade bottles at the Dawg Pound in celebration as the Salukis pull ahead of the SEMO Redhawks and claim the wheel Sept. 16, 2023 at Houck Stadium in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. Lylee Gibbs | @lyleegibbsphoto
The game inside the game on the gridiron: one-on-ones in football
If you were standing at the line of scrimmage on the sideline at a football game, you would have the best view in the house of the sport’s beauty. Your eyes might lock onto the supreme display of power and finesse emitting from the battle of a defensive tackle versus an offensive lineman. You could also be drawn to the initial release of a wide receiver attempting to separate from a cornerback and catch a pass downfield.
Although football could be perceived as a simple sport, it is far more complex than meets the eye. Two teams send out 11 men on offense and defense dialing up plays to either score or stop the opposition from scoring. The players on each side work as a unit, but they each have their own assignments, and one man not doing his job on a play can be the difference in the game.
The making or breaking of a play starts up front in the trenches, otherwise known as the line of scrimmage. Here, the heftiest and strongest players are in a continuous tug of war where the defensive players on the line are after the quarterback who is protected by the O-line.
There are five offensive lineman, but the most vital are the tackles who bookend the O-line and deal with the best combination of speed and strength that the defense has to offer.
“I’m the left tackle, I’m Nic’s [SIU quarterback Nic Baker’s] blindside, I gotta be always on point because, if not, he’s going to get killed,” Jake Green said.
Although Green and tackles like him are connected with the line, they can easily be taken away from the pack based on how the edge rusher tries to get by him. Defensive end Dewey Greene said there are many things he can throw at an offensive lineman in order to get around him. The film he watches throughout the week helps better prepare him for his matchup on gameday.
“When we watch film, I like to see if an offensive lineman can turn their feet, can turn their hips. If they can’t, just get them upfield and get them going and come in underneath,” Greene said.
It is up to the discernment of the defender whether he wants to try to
overpower his assignment by pushing him backwards via a bull rush; swipe his hands in order to swim move past him; or even take the long way around him using his speed.
This causes an offensive lineman to react quickly to his attack in terms of chopping a defender’s hands away, chopping his hands into his chest or grabbing him while he’s in front of him. Each time the whistle is blown to signal a play’s end, both players are taking information away from their encounter.
“Seeing after each rep what he’s giving me, and if it’s consistent, then knowing what rush plan to do after that,” Greene said.
Every play sets up the next, and Green shares the sentiment of his counterpart on the line.
“Each play, I’m getting a little bit of a tell on how he likes to pass rush… I’ll be able to tell better throughout as the game goes,” Green said.
With each defensive or offensive lineman bringing something different to the table every week, players must be prepared in order to combat the other side’s gameplan. But regardless of their matchup’s performance or style of play, there is no room for either position to adjust.
“My technique stays the same, always, can’t change that up. You start changing techniques, you start making mistakes,” Green said.
A mistake by an offensive lineman can mean a rough day for the quarterback, as he doesn’t have time to get the ball out of his hands. But if he does have time, he expects his receivers to be open. They have a one-on-one battle of their own on the field.
They are matched up with a cornerback and run various routes in order to get open enough to catch passes. But things are running through their head before the play on how they should go about their routes in order to have the best opportunity to get open for their quarterback.
“First you gotta know what defense they’re in and what the call is…you just have to be confident in knowing what you’re doing, that’s half the battle…” Saluki wide receiver Dayton Mitchell said.
Receivers like Mitchell are reading not just the cornerback in front of
them, but every other player behind the defensive line. Just because the cornerback stands about five yards opposite them, it doesn’t necessarily mean he’ll be tracking him throughout the entire play. He could fall back into a zone where he covers one section of the field, or even be sent as a blitzer to add additional pressure to the pass rush.
These different options put forth on a defensive back are part of the reason why cornerbacks are sometimes referred to as the hardest position in the sport. They often have to run backwards and ‘shadow’ or follow a receiver extremely close to stop him from catching a football.
SIU cornerback Jamir Conn walks through three things that he is doing before every snap of the football.
“Before each play really, they tell us alignment, assignment, technique,” Conn said.
Conn said he looks at where a receiver is aligned on the line of scrimmage in order to zero in on possible routes he runs. Then once the ball is hiked, he must pay attention to the receiver’s legs and hips in order to stay in front of him.
“…Really what we call the ‘read’ steps so he can’t eat up my ground too fast or anything,” Conn said. “Because if he eats up my ground too
fast… it’s basically over from there, the receiver’s going to win every time.”
His technique follows as he ensures the receiver won’t blow by him, while also not giving up too much space in front of him for any shorter, underneath routes. He does this by getting depth, staying on his toes and keeping a good base so he can get a burst of speed when needed.
But a corner’s moves are also read by the receiver, who will adjust what he’s doing based on film and in-game adjustments to create more separation.
“We watch a lot of film to pick up on tendencies on what certain corners are going to do, whether they’re physical or just what kind of techniques they play,” Mitchell said. “And also once you get out there, try different releases, try different routes…”
This one-on-one is a continuous cat-and-mouse game where the most explosive plays of a football game usually take place. Blown coverage from a cornerback can cause a huge catch and run from the receiver that can shift the momentum of a game.
“I think we make the team move. When we make big plays, it gets everyone hyped on the sidelines,
it makes the whole team move,” Mitchell said. “We just bring so much energy when we make plays.” But if a corner is air-tight on a receiver throughout a game, it limits what the offense is trying to do. That is imperative, as the style of football right now is run mostly through the passing attack.
“It depends a lot on the corners really…because the rules are really pointed towards the offense nowadays and a lot of people throw the ball,” Conn said. “So if we can make plays, we can take a whole man out of the game… if I strap him the whole game, then I know I did my job, and I know if I’m doing my job, I’m helping the rest of the team.”
A cohesive unit, whether it be the offense or the defense, is accomplished by each player doing their job on the field. These matchups are crucial, as the results of these battles can isolate players and make the 11-on-11 feel like several one-on-ones all over the gridiron. So, don’t just follow the football next time, but watch these showings of athleticism, skill, and prowess that decides the outcomes of games.
Staff reporter Howard Woodard can be reached at hwoodard@dailyegyptian.com
Other new businesses have had struggles as well, but managed to overcome them.
Notcho Fries, a new modern shop, opened on December 3, 2022. Located at 903 S. Illinois Ave., it is a short walk from campus on the strip.
“We chose Carbondale because one of our owners, Christopher Morales, is an SIU alum and he thought it would be a good spot to start it. We chose the strip because it’s right across from campus and the dorms and we’re kinda close to the bars,” co-owner Anais Robles said.
The menu ranges from fries of all sorts to wings, and even burgers and salads. On Wednesdays, the place has a deal for 75 cent wings, and for the remainder of September they are offering 10% off to students who show their student ID at checkout. The owners often do weekly specials that can be found on their Instagram @notchofries and on Facebook.
“We try to do a special of the week here and there that is not on our menu. Pizza, specialty fries, we’ve done fried chicken fries, we did quesadillas and things of that sort,” Robles said.
The idea for the restaurant was created by owners Morales, Robles and Juarez Monegain. They were looking to bring another late night option for students of the university and those who worked later shifts.
Aside from having a wide variety of options and late hours, another thing that sets this restaurant apart is that all three of its owners are in their 20s which helps them to relate to students.
Since its opening in December, the business has faced a few setbacks.
“We purchased the building
we’re in with all the equipment so we went in thinking we had most of our kitchen equipment, but we soon found out that some of it was not functioning so we had to buy everything,” Robles said.
After repurchasing the majority of the kitchen equipment, the walkin cooler where most of the food was stored broke down, requiring the owners to make another large purchase.
The restaurant also closed for a few weeks in December and month over the summer due to students being out of town.
“We opened during the lights festival in town so the first weekend was amazing and then students left the following week. We were so new to town that the locals didn’t know we were open yet so it was pretty rough those couple weeks,” Robles said.
When owning a business there are always some struggles, especially
when it is in a town where the majority of the population is college students, but Notcho Fries overcame those struggles and business is on an uphill track with hopes of eventually making their restaurant a chain.
Opening on the West side in January is a new deli that will offer soups, salads, sandwiches, an array of other healthy options, as well as a few ethnic foods and even ice cream from the Ice Cream Factory. Carbondeli’s will also be smoking some of its very own meats in house.
“It’s going to be chiefly a deli but we’re going to have a ‘make line’ so you can make soups, salads and subs, so you can customize them and get what you want, as well as a specialty menu,” chief executive manager Alexander Schmidgall said. Schmidgall, a southern Illinois native, is hoping to bring some of the Carbondale life to the West side of the city and open the minds of
students with their healthy food options.
“We love Carbondale and there’s nothing on the West side to eat. This project is about bringing some life back to the West side and showing students we know what we’re doing when it comes to food. There’s several good local places but nothing right in the middle of Carbondale unless it’s pizza,” Schmidgall said.
Carbondeli’s will stay open until 2 a.m. and it will start residential delivery service soon after, as well as catering, hoping to add a healthy option to the late night food choices in the area.
“It’s about providing a service to Carbondale and the students because they need something to eat at night when they’re studying,” Schmidgall said. “[In college] you’re going to be up late nights getting ready for your next day and you need a meal.”
Schmidgall has nearly 15 years of experience in the food industry and has acquired almost 40 recipes that have been passed on from his family and friends.
“I won’t say that all of them will be at Carbondeli’s, but we’ll try to work them in and cycle them in with the different seasons and try to get different stuff out there,” Schmidgall said.
Carbondeli’s will also be offering gluten free, vegetarian and vegan options so there is something for everyone. The owner is also working with the Jackson County Health Department to have an allergy menu at the front of the restaurant.
“We are going to have a couple vegan options as well as multiple gluten free breads, also we’ll have some kind of imitation vegan meat and cheeses as well as almond coconut paradise and lemon poppy seed vegan ice cream,” Schimdgall said.
Schmidgall said they will be happy to change their gloves for anyone with allergies or specific food needs.
Beverage wise they will offer RC Cola, bottled Coke, teas and juices.
“Growing up, the West side was the place you wanted to be, and I don’t see any reason why that can’t be again,” Schmidgall said.
Carbondeli’s is now taking applications with hopes to create more jobs for those in the community. They’re looking to hire 10-11 employees. Information about them can be found on Facebook.
So while some restaurants in the area have failed, new shops are popping up looking to create more food options for people in the Carbondale area.
Have a wild and wooly weekend at annual Alpaca Farm Days
Rolling Oak Alpaca Ranch in Makanda, Illinois, is hosting National Alpaca Farm Days on Sept. 23 and 24. The ranch is owned by the mother-daughter duo, Judy Hoepker and Morgan Stevenson, who have organized the event to gather more attention about alpacas and the products they help to produce.
It is also a chance for the community to enjoy the company of these alpacas for the day.
“The event is actually a national event, by the Alpaca Owners Association. So, it’s kind of their thing where they encourage alpaca farms to open up,” Stevenson said.
Their ranch is just one member of the Alpaca Owners Association, whose primary goal is to promote awareness of alpacas and alpaca products.
Promoting farms with alpacas through this event has allowed businesses to gain success over the last 17 years. Around 125 different farms throughout the entire United States will be choosing to participate this year.
Rolling Oak will also be collaborating with other local businesses in the area for the event, giving them the opportunity to share knowledge and resources.
“Every year, we make it bigger,” Stevenson said. “This year, we have Melissa’s Place, the food truck, coming. We have… the rope-makers guild here, and we’re going to have a free activity for kids to make their own rope at that time. This will be a lot of fun!”
The main attraction, of course, is the alpacas.
“The farm is open for free. The farm runs long ways, and we have
a beautiful alley that goes back through the pastures that people will be able to walk, and we will have feed cups for sale, so they can feed the alpacas. They’ll be in with the alpacas; pet them; take pictures with them. And then our shop is open here as well,” Stevenson said.
In their shop, the owners sell items such as socks, dryer balls and braided bracelets. These items are all made with yarn spun from their own alpaca wool.
“14 years ago, I learned how to crochet. And I immediately wanted softer yarn. So, I just researched and found everything about alpacas…” Stevenson said. “2011, we got our first three alpacas, and I convinced my mom to let me bring alpacas here, since this was her land, right? We got three and now we have 20.”
The weekend event has many activities that crafty people in
the area will happily enjoy, the largest being a chance to watch a fiber arts demonstration. Stevenson highly recommends this event to families, as there are plenty of activities for children to participate in as well. These include a possible interactive opportunity with the loom, felting, stuffing ornament balls, and coloring pages.
In the past, SIU’s pre-vet club has been able to work alongside Rolling Oak and participate in some of their events to gain experience and be able to work with live animals with a nearby business. Members have helped with Farm Days in the past and the ranch’s Christmas event, which spans over three weekends.
“They come and help out, just volunteering at any of the stations we need help at. Maybe they’re selling feed cups. Maybe they’re helping with crafts that could be
in the back just watching to make sure no kids run up behind the alpaca,” Stevenson said. “They would help us with shearing too. We shear every spring. They have been a big help with that.”
The club focuses on students who are interested in learning more about the field of veterinary medicine, or who are interested in learning more about animals, so this gives them the opportunity to help out in the community during the school year. By having events like Farm Days and inviting SIU students to aid them at the ranch, Rolling Oak draws the community together.
Farm Days run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on both Saturday, Sept. 23 and Sunday, Sept. 24.
Staff reporter Annalise Schmidt can be reached at aschmidt@dailyegyptian.com
Wednesday, September 20, 2023
Dark brown alpaca takes a look at the camera at Rolling Oak Alpaca Ranch September, 8 2023 in Makanda, Ill. Mo Collar | @m0.alexander
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