Auburn Running Back Brandon Jacobs Transfers to Southern Illinois
CARBONDALE, Ill. - The Southern Illinois University football team had a gaping hole to fill in its backfield after losing a trio of seniors - Muhammad Abdulqaadir, Tom Koutsos and Brandon Robinson - who combined to rush for 2,453 yards and 28 touchdowns in 2003.
With the addition of Auburn running back Brandon Jacobs, who announced he will transfer to SIU this summer, the Salukis have the makings of another potent trio in 2004.
Jacobs joins Minnesota transfer Terry Jackson and Coffeyville Community College import Arkee Whitlock to form what could be one of the best college backfields in the nation at any level.
Jacobs is a 6-4, 260-pound behemoth with 4.5 speed who will be a senior at SIU next fall. He led Auburn with a 6.2 average per carry last year and was second on the team in rushing with 446 yards. In two seasons at Coffeyville prior to Auburn, Jacobs carried for 3,248 yards and 37 touchdowns.
His new backfield mates at SIU have been similarly successful at their former schools. Jackson, who will also be a senior at Southern next fall, rushed for a team-high 1,317 yards for Minnesota in 2002 and ranked sixth in the Big Ten in rushing yards. Whitlock carried for 1,383 yards, 17 touchdowns and a 6.1 average last year at Coffeyville. He will be a sophomore in 2004.
So how will Saluki head coach Jerry Kill keep everyone happy with playing time?
"We did a pretty good job of it last year with Mo, Tommy and Brandon," Kill said. "That's the model we plan to follow, and all of our running backs understand it and buy into it. They came here to play and to win."
The Salukis had their first spring practice on Wednesday afternoon, and Jackson was asked about the addition of Jacobs to the backfield mix.
"I'm used to sharing the ball," he said. "At Minnesota, I shared the ball with the fullback, so I'm really not worried about that at all. The best man will play. And from what coach Kill said, we'll all play."
Jackson said he's looking forward to helping the Salukis defend their Gateway Conference championship.
"My whole thing is I just want to win us a championship here," he said. "And I think we've got the team to do it."
Tom Weber
Southern Illinois University
Director of Media Services-Athletics
618-453-7235 (work)
618-985-9894 (home)
618-528-1111 (cell)
618-453-2648 (fax)
tomweber@siu.edu
http://www.siusalukis.com
With the addition of Auburn running back Brandon Jacobs, who announced he will transfer to SIU this summer, the Salukis have the makings of another potent trio in 2004.
Jacobs joins Minnesota transfer Terry Jackson and Coffeyville Community College import Arkee Whitlock to form what could be one of the best college backfields in the nation at any level.
Jacobs is a 6-4, 260-pound behemoth with 4.5 speed who will be a senior at SIU next fall. He led Auburn with a 6.2 average per carry last year and was second on the team in rushing with 446 yards. In two seasons at Coffeyville prior to Auburn, Jacobs carried for 3,248 yards and 37 touchdowns.
His new backfield mates at SIU have been similarly successful at their former schools. Jackson, who will also be a senior at Southern next fall, rushed for a team-high 1,317 yards for Minnesota in 2002 and ranked sixth in the Big Ten in rushing yards. Whitlock carried for 1,383 yards, 17 touchdowns and a 6.1 average last year at Coffeyville. He will be a sophomore in 2004.
So how will Saluki head coach Jerry Kill keep everyone happy with playing time?
"We did a pretty good job of it last year with Mo, Tommy and Brandon," Kill said. "That's the model we plan to follow, and all of our running backs understand it and buy into it. They came here to play and to win."
The Salukis had their first spring practice on Wednesday afternoon, and Jackson was asked about the addition of Jacobs to the backfield mix.
"I'm used to sharing the ball," he said. "At Minnesota, I shared the ball with the fullback, so I'm really not worried about that at all. The best man will play. And from what coach Kill said, we'll all play."
Jackson said he's looking forward to helping the Salukis defend their Gateway Conference championship.
"My whole thing is I just want to win us a championship here," he said. "And I think we've got the team to do it."
Tom Weber
Southern Illinois University
Director of Media Services-Athletics
618-453-7235 (work)
618-985-9894 (home)
618-528-1111 (cell)
618-453-2648 (fax)
tomweber@siu.edu
http://www.siusalukis.com
posted by Don @ 4/01/2004 12:42:00 PM
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