 "Photo: Evan Davis ~ Daily Egyptian")
Paul McIntosh said this week is no different than any other.
“It’s the same focus as every week, just taking a few extra reps in practice,” McIntosh said. “Same as any other week to get ready.”
There will be a slight difference for SIU (6-1, 5-0 Missouri Valley Football Conference) though, as the redshirt freshman will start for the first time against the Indiana State Sycamores at 11 a.m. Saturday in Terre Haute, Ind.
McIntosh is starting in place of Chris Dieker, who is out six weeks with a broken left clavicle.
Head coach Dale Lennon said there should not be too much of a difference in the offense with McIntosh in the backfield.
“It’s not going to be a day and night difference out there. We’re going to try to adapt the game towards Paul’s strength,” Lennon said. “But we have built this team around several different individuals, so the base of our ideas is not going to change out there. It’s just going to be about Paul’s adaptation out there.”
The Salukis will also have to adapt to a reenergized Indiana State.
The Sycamores (1-7, 1-4 MVFC) are coming off a 17-14 victory over Western Illinois, which was the program’s first victory since 2006. The 38 points they have scored the last two weeks is more than they scored in their previous six games combined.
Safety Mike McElroy said the Salukis cannot worry about the Sycamores’ recent win and need to stay focused on their own execution.
“It has been the main focus of coach Lennon this week is to just focus on we have to do out there. Keep the focus on ourselves and the game ahead,” McElroy said. “We’re taking this game just like any other game.”
History suggests the game is not like any other.
The Salukis have won the past six games in the series by an average score of 43.5 points. Their closest game was in 2005, when the Salukis won 42-20.
But those were without a first-time starter at quarterback.
McIntosh seemed comfortable under center in the second quarter of SIU’s 27-8 victory over Youngstown State Saturday. The redshirt freshman completed 10-of-14 passes for 133 yards and rushed 12 times for a team-high 81 yards.
McElroy said McIntosh has the team’s complete support.
“He’s our quarterback. Obviously we’re going to miss Dieker and that’s for sure, but we definitely have 100 percent confidence in Paul’s ability,” McElroy said. “He’s a different style, but we got him. Besides, the other team doesn’t score and win the game. That’s our mentality.”
McIntosh said he was not looking to change the offense too much.
“We’re still going to be relying on our offensive line, and Deji Karim and others to carry the bulk like they have all season,” McIntosh said. “Just keep doing that and take it from there.”
Ryan Voyles can be reached at 536-3311 ext. 256.
