The consensus in the NIU locker room is that the Huskies cannot take this Saturday’s 82nd Homecoming game with rival Southern Illinois lightly.

“We can’t come out nonchalant,” quarterback Stacey Robinson said. “They’ll give us a bunch of different looks that we’ll have to adjust to.”

The Salukis come into the 1:05 p.m. game at Huskie Stadium with a 1-4 record. In their first game, at Nevada-Reno, SIU was squashed 41-3. The next week, in their home opener, they were beaten by Western Illinois 14-7. The Salukis’ sole win came against Eastern Illinois by a 20-17 margin. Their other two losses were to Murray State, 24-11, and Arkansas State, 28-23.

“Any team that can play with Nebraska for a half deserves a lot of respect,” SIU coach Bob Smith said. “Our basic concern is whether or not we’ll be able to match their overall strength and depth.”

Depth may become a concern for the Huskies as well. Outside linebacker Paul Rogan, who was injured against Western Illinois last week, underwent arthroscopic surgery on his left knee Wednesday and will be out indefinitely. Inside linebacker Steve Henriksen will have surgery on his left shoulder and will be out for the rest of the season.

Against Arkansas State last Saturday, Saluki quarterback Scott Gabbert set four SIU-C records by attempting 55 passes, completing 28, attempting 65 total offensive plays and netting 320 total offensive yards.

“They’ll be a little more balanced than Western,” NIU coach Jerry Pettibone said. “They’ll pass the ball but they can also run the option.”

After rushing for 168 and 228 yards in the last two weeks, Robinson feels that the pressure will come his way.

“They’ll (SIU defense) bring a lot of pressure and some stunts to try to make me get down on myself and have a bad game,” he said. “It’s not going to work.”

Smith was impressed with Robinson’s performance this year.

“We’ve seen the films, and the fact is that Robinson runs the wishbone well,” he said. “On play-action passing he hides the ball well. That makes us nervous.”

Smith also said that NIU’s defense is “tougher than Arkansas State. (NIU is) stronger and more agressive.”

uskie defensive end Cary Caliendo agrees.

“They’ll pass a lot which will allow me to get back there and hopefully get some more sacks,” Caliendo said. “Sacks aren’t the main thing, though. The pass rush itself will affect the game and that’s where I feel that I’m a big part of the team. There’s nobody in the country that can stop me.”

The Salukis faced a wishbone offense last week against Arkansas State and that may have NIU offensive coordinator Mike Summers a little concerned.

“They (SIU) had some good schemes against the wishbone and we’re concerned about that,” he said. “They’re a good run defense, and they understand how to defense the wishbone.

“They play a different scheme than Western Illinois, so we have to prepare a little differently on offense. We’re definitely concerned about this game. We’re going to prepare for a tough game because we think that’s what it’s going to be.”

Saturday’s game will be televised live on SportsChannel.

Once again, a large turn out is expected for the Huskie/Saluki matchup. According to ticket sales, 25,000 are expected to attend the afternoon game. Last week’s attendance of 22,365 was the 13th biggest at the stadium.