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SIU Tabbed Seventh in Preseason MVFC Poll

SIU Tabbed Seventh in Preseason MVFC Poll
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By SIU Athletics
Jul. 27, 2015 | CARBONDALE, IL
By SIU Athletics Jul. 27, 2015 | 04:46 PM | CARBONDALE, IL
The Southern Illinois football team was picked seventh in the 2015 Missouri Valley Football Conference preseason poll, the league announced Monday. Offensive lineman Ethan Wirth and linebacker Chase Allen were named honorable mention preseason All-Conference.

The poll consists of votes from the coaches, local media and sports information directors of the 10-team conference. Four-time defending national champion North Dakota State was the preseason pick to win the league, followed by Illinois State, Northern Iowa, Youngstown State, South Dakota State and Indiana State. Western Illinois, Missouri State and South Dakota rounded out the 10-team league.

SIU was picked seventh for the third time in four years. After being picked seventh in both the 2012 and 2013 preseason, the Salukis went on to finish third and second, respectively, in those seasons.

Ethan Wirth has been a career staple of the SIU offensive line. The senior has started 28 games for Southern, including eight last year while battling injuries. He earned the MVFC's Offensive Lineman of the Week on Sept. 23, 2013.

Chase Allen, a junior, was Southern's top tackler in 2014; his 95 tackles last year ranked ninth in the conference. Allen recorded double-digit tackles in five of SIU's 12 games, including a career-best 12 against Northern Iowa.

SIU opens the season at Indiana on Sept. 5. Southern Illinois' home opener is Sept. 26 against Liberty.

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