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Remembering the seniors

While their numbers were small, the legacy left by the seven seniors of the SIU football team is immeasurable

For the first time since they have walked onto the Carbondale campus, the seven seniors on the SIU football team are now just like every other senior scrambling to build a portfolio and fretting about what happens after graduation.

But what these seven individuals accomplished is far from ordinary. They are the first senior class in 20 seasons to end their careers going to the playoffs and being Gateway Conference champions. Just as important, they are the first senior class in SIU history to leave a realistic hope for future seasons.

Muhummad Abdulqaadir, running back

Abdulqaadir created more excitement over one player than any football player at SIU. After an out-of-this world 2002 season that ended with Abdulqaadir being rated the 23rd running back prospect for the 2004 NFL draft, he let his stats take a backseat to winning and shared carries with Tom Koutsos.

He ended the season with 1,041 yards, his second 1,000-plus in two years at SIU. In those two seasons at SIU, he managed to climb all the way to sixth-place all-time on the Salukis career-rushing list with 2,285 yards. Abdulqaadir's NFL status has him slugged as a fifth or sixth round selection.

"Right now I am going to try and go to the next level," Abdulqaadir said. "I need to get my speed down to a 4.4 [40-yard dash time]."

Tom Koutsos, running back

For three seasons, Koutsos owned the SIU campus as the top football player the Salukis had. After an injury last season, many began to doubt Koutsos, though his play proved time and again he had enough speed to pile up big yards and be a feature back.

'Touchdown Tommy" proved the critics wrong, playing quite possibly his greatest season ever in the conference's greatest career. Without his strong rushing efforts down the stretch in the Gateway season, the Salukis probably would have not been in the playoffs.

Koutsos finished as the Gateway Conference's all-time rusher in yards (4,688), touchdowns (51) and points scored (306). Koutsos, who has drawn the attention of professional scouts during his career, will work in the offseason to improve his speed.

"It feels amazing to go out as conference champion," Koutsos said. "After all the years of losing, a winning record would have been gratifying. But we knew the talent we had and didn't settle. I will be a Saluki for life."

Wes Proctor, offensive tackle

Proctor stood out more than any SIU player not just because he was a mauler up front, but also because he literally stood out. Standing 6-feet-4 and tipping the scales at 340-pounds, Proctor provided the push for the No. 3 offense in the country.

Proctor was recognized at the season's end as a second-team all-conference selection.

Courtney Abbott, receiver

Abbott provided a huge impact for the Salukis at a position where they are not particularly loaded. He was durable both his two seasons, also displaying an amazing athletic prowess hauling in 19 receptions for 338 yards.

Abbott entered the season as a preseason all-conference selection, but stumbled at the beginning of the season before picking up his production as the season winded down.

Brandon Robinson, fullback

Robinson, known by many as plainly "B-Rob", was arguably the most valuable player for the Salukis this season. In the 48-7 loss to No. 2 Delaware in the first-round of the playoffs, Robinson's absence was noticed missed as he sat out for violating team rules.

Robinson played in the shadows of the more-hyped duo of Abdulqaadir/Koutsos, but when all-conference votes were tallied, players and coaches around the conference noticed Robinson as the top fullback in the Gateway.

His ascension to the No. 15 on the SIU career rushing yards with 1,509 yards came just like his demeanor - quiet.

"I am just planning to graduate college," Robinson said. "I'd like to be a teacher and a high school coach. I wouldn't like coaching colleges. They do too much; they are at it all the time. And I want to teach kids, teach them the fundamentals.

George Mooney, reserve lineman

Mooney served as an integral part of the Saluki offensive line, filling in mainly on needed spot duty. A bit undersized at 6-foot-3, 280-pounds, Mooney was one three redshirt seniors on the squad along with Koutsos and Eric Egan.

Eric Egan, linebacker

Egan was the grunt in the middle of the vastly improved Saluki defense. A converted fullback, Egan finished the season as one of SIU's top defenders and leaders, tallying 77 tackles. His play was superb especially against the Gateway's tougher teams Western Illinois and Western Kentucky.

"Right know I don't what the hell to do with myself," Egan said. "It is crazy not having anything to do. Football after college isn't even a decision for me. I am just going to get a resume together and join the working world like the rest of students."

Like the rest of the seniors, Egan remembers how much the squad has improved and advises the returning players to keep it that way the way they left it.

"We've been here the longest. We have seen how it's been and what it is now," Egan said. We are the only ones that really know that. We've witnessed the change. The guys coming back need to keep improving. Don't take anything for granted."