Kolpack and Izzo Podcast: The Salukis try to salvage their season hosting the Bison - InForum

North Dakota State begins the second half of the 2024 season this Saturday when the Bison travel to Southern Illinois to take on a struggling Salukis team.

SIU, which has made the playoffs three times in the last four seasons, has suffered a series of injuries that are hard to imagine. Nick Hill will start a true freshman in Jake Curry at quarterback this weekend after his top three quarterbacks all suffered season-ending injuries. Curry came into the game against Illinois State last week and threw two interceptions in the 45-10 loss to the Redbirds.

SIU has lost three straight games with defense being the biggest problem.

North Dakota State travels to Carbondale on a five-game winning streak, including two dominant victories to open Valley play. The Bison have won three straight in this series, including a 21-18 win at Saluki Stadium in November 2022.

Quarterback Cam Miller is expected to play after suffering an ankle injury late in the third quarter last week against North Dakota. Miller has started 44 straight games for the Bison after being added to the lineup nearly three years ago.

The Forum’s Jeff Kolpack and WDAY’s Dom Izzo discuss the matchup and how SIU could put together its best game at home against NDSU this weekend.