You won’t want to miss it when the Salukis take on in-state rivals Western Illinois. Both teams entered the Missouri Valley Football Conference in 1985, and since then they have developed quite the rivalry.

Southern Illinois Salukis vs Illinois State Redbirds

Rival Team: Illinois State Redbirds

Make sure to be in attendance when Southern Illinois takes on Missouri Valley Conference, and in-state rivals Illinois State. The two teams meet a variety of sports although few matchups are bigger than the annual meeting on the gridiron between these two.

Southern Illinois Salukis Tailgate Guide

Atmosphere

Tailgating is a big part of the Southern Illinois game day experience, so arrive early and enjoy the festivities before the game. Salukis fans go all out to tailgate on Saturdays before home football games, and everywhere you look you’ll see fans dressed in maroon and white grilling and having fun with friends and family. Whether you like burgers, hot dogs, or brats or you just want to throw back a few beers, you’ll have a good time tailgating with Salukis fans before the game.

One of the best parts of tailgating at Southern Illinois is the Marching Salukis Show. The show takes place on the stairs in front of SIU Arena and is the perfect way to get into the game day spirit. Even if you aren’t a Salukis fan, you won’t want to miss the band’s show before the game.

Another must-see outside Saluki Stadium is King Tut’s Tomb. The tomb contains the remains of Southern Illinois’s original saluki mascot and is something you won’t find anywhere else.

You’ll have a lot of fun tailgating before a Salukis football game, so get here early and enjoy all the pregame festivities.

Traditions

King Tut’s Tomb

Stop and see King Tut’s Tomb outside Saluki Stadium before the game. The pyramid-shaped tomb contains the remains of Southern Illinois first live saluki mascot and is a must-see for any college football fan.

Saluki Statue

Before entering Saluki Stadium, stop by and snap a picture with the saluki statue outside SIU Arena. The statue is a must-see for anyone attending a game in Carbondale and offers an excellent photo op as well, so make sure to check it out.

Marching Salukis Show

Enjoy the Marching Salukis Show outside the stadium before the game. The show takes place on the SIU Arena steps and is a can’t miss part of the tailgating festivities at Southern Illinois.

Where to tailgate

General Tailgate

If you want to tailgate before a Salukis game but don’t have a parking pass, then the general tailgate lots are the place for you. Arrive here early as these spots fill up quickly on game days.

Restricted Tailgate

Make sure to check out the restricted tailgate lots if you have the chance. Not only are these lots closer to the stadium they also are home to some of the biggest tailgates in Carbondale.

Student Tailgate

Southern Illinois students will want to set up your tailgate in the designated student tailgate areas. Here you’ll be able to tailgate with your fellow students before the game giving you the opportunity to make new friends before the game.

Southern Illinois Salukis Stadium Guide

In Game

The Salukis moved into the brand new Saluki Stadium in 2010 significantly improving the gameday experience at Southern Illinois. The state-of-the-art stadium provides an excellent place to take in a game and is home to incredible sight lines and plenty of amenities, making it one of the best place to take in a game at the FCS level.

In addition to a new stadium, Southern Illinois also is home to a great fanbase. Fans from all over the area come out to support the Salukis on game days, and the stands are a sea of maroon and white during the game.

The spirit groups and marching band are also a big part of what makes attending a Salukis game a memorable experience. Both the live mascot and the two costumed mascots are must-see parts of the game. Fans young and old enjoy the mascots at the game, so keep an eye out for them during your visit. You’ll also enjoy the performance of the Marching Salukis during the game as well. The band creates a good tempo throughout the game, and their halftime show is always excellent.

A trip to Southern Illinois is a fun time for any FCS football fan, so don’t hesitate to start planning your trip to Carbondale today.

Things to check out

Live Mascot

Don’t miss the live saluki dog at Southern Illinois games. The dog is a fun part of any game, so keep your eyes peeled for him as you wouldn’t want to miss him.

Dawg Pound

Just like in Cleveland, the Dawg Pound is where you’ll find the rowdiest and wildest fans on game days. The Dawg Pound is filled with the most intimidating fans at the game, so if you want to get loud and support the Salukis, there is no better place to be than the Dawg Pound.

Marching Salukis

The Marching Salukis are a can’t miss part of any Southern Illinois football game. The marching band will keep you pumped up throughout the game with their tunes and is a big part of what makes attending a Salukis football game such an excellent experience.

Brown Dog and Gray Dog

Southern Illinois has not one but two mascots who entertain fans on game days. Keep an eye open Brown Dog and Gray Dog when attending a Salukis football game as you never know what kind of shenanigans this duo will get into next.

‹ Southeastern La. Lions

Southern Jaguars ›