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Three Gateway teams left in I-AA playoffs

Although the SIU football team was brutally knocked out of the playoffs last weekend in Delaware, there are still several reasons - three to be exact - for Saluki fans to pay attention to the games this weekend.

Three of the Dawgs' rivals in the Gateway Conference will be in action Saturday as they continue on their quest to the national championship game in Chattanooga, Tenn., Dec. 19.

Western Illinois (9-3) at No. 4 Colgate (13-0), 11 a.m.

The last time Western faced a Patriot League opponent - in the first round of the 2000 playoffs against Lehigh - the Leathernecks were slaughtered 37-7. Thus, Western will likely be squarely focused on the undefeated Raiders, who are playing at home on what could be a very cold, and possibly snowy, day.

Colgate advanced to the quarterfinals with a 19-7 win over Massachusetts last week and are as good as their record implies. The Raiders were led by safety Sean McCune, who had 10 tackles and a sack against UMass. Offensively, the Raiders are led by Jamaal Branch, a Payton Award finalist.

The Leathernecks had a tougher time in the first round, eking out a 43-40 double-overtime thriller at Montana. Quarterback Russ Michna was 22-of-31 passing for 375 yards and two touchdowns. Wide receiver Reggie Gray caught six passes for 107 yards. Kicker Justin Langan hit a school-record five field goals, including the game-winner from 23 yards out in the second overtime.

Northern Iowa (10-2) at No. 2 Delaware (12-1), 11:05 a.m.

Northern had little trouble last week, cruising to a 35-14 victory over Montana State. UNI amassed 467 yards against the Bobcats, with running backs Richard Carter (92 rushing yards, 42 receiving yards) and Terrance Freeney (80 yards, two touchdowns) leading the way. Quarterback Tom Petrie connected on 10-of-19 passes for 207 yards and a touchdown.

Delaware will be facing a Gateway Conference team for the second straight week after demoralizing SIU last weekend at home in a 48-7 "squeaker." The Blue Hens forced six turnovers and also blocked a punt for a score. Quarterback Andy Hall, one of two Payton Award finalists in action Saturday, will lead the UD offense. He will be aided in the backfield by Germaine Bennett and Antawn Jenkins.

Western Kentucky (9-3) at No. 3 Wofford (11-1), 3 p.m.

The Terriers head into Saturday's game with an 11-game win streak on the line against the defending national champion Hilltoppers, who have won five straight in postseason play.

Wofford defeated North Carolina A&T handily, 31-10, last Saturday, pulling away in the fourth quarter. Quarterback Jeff Zolman (141 yards rushing, two touchdowns) and running back Kevious Johnson (106 yards) led the way on the ground as the Terriers totaled 370 rushing yards.

Western Kentucky gained 353 rushing yards in a 45-7 laugher against Jacksonville State last week at home. The Hilltoppers led 21-0 less than five minutes into the game and cruised from there. Running back Lerron Moore accrued 137 on just five carries, and three of Justin Haddix's six completions went for touchdowns, two to Shannon Hayes. Haddix's favorite target Casey Rooney has a sore shoulder, which could hurt the passing game.

Florida Atlantic (10-2) at Northern Arizona (9-3), 7:05 p.m.

In the weakest match-up of the weekend, the Owls and Lumberjacks will both be looking for their second playoff win in their respective histories. FAU held on to beat Bethune-Cookman, 32-24, last week while Northern Arizona pulled off a mammoth upset, knocking off No. 1 seed McNeese State, 35-3.

The key for the Owls last week was a defense that forced six turnovers. Linebacker Quentin Swain had 12 tackles, a sack, and a pair of fumble recoveries.

The Lumberjacks stunned the rest of the I-AA nation as freshman quarterback and then-Payton Award candidate Jason Murrietta completed 24-of-34 passes for 285 yards and five touchdowns.

The winner of this game will have a hard time getting into the championship contest as it will face the winner of Western Illinois and Colgate.