Terry Jackson gains 48 yards in season opener

Terry Jackson left Minnesota and transferred to Southern Illinois after losing playing time to standout Gopher running backs Laurence Maroney and Marion Barber. Jackson had rushed for 1,317 yards in 2002, earning him honorable mention All-Big Ten honors. However, he had just 55 carries last season. Unfortunately, he landed on a team perhaps almost as talented and deep with the move to the Salukis, who are ranked No. 2 in the country, but will likely move up to #1 in next week's poll.

Southern Illinois opened their season with a 42-3 win over Southeast Missouri State. Terry Jackson had ten carries for 48 yards, but two others Saluki running backs went for over 100 yards in the easy win. They will likely move up to #1 in next week's pool with defending champion Delaware losing their season opener.

Brandon Jacobs, a 6-foot-4, 260-pound power back with 4.5 speed who transferred from Auburn on March 31, rushed for four touchdowns and 108 yards on 18 carries. Jacobs is considered a top-five running back prospects in the 2005 NFL Draft. Arkee Whitlock, a JC transfer from Coffeyville (KS) CC, carried the ball 18 times for 113 yards with one rushing and one receiving touchdown.

The Salukis finished with 320 yards on 59 carries.

Southern Illinois plays at Northern Illinois next Saturday. Northern Illinois has two Minnesota natives who got some consideration from the Gophers in Matt Simon, a 6-foot-1, 190-pound receiver from Farmington and Jon Brost, a 6-foot-5, 300-pound guard from Maple Grove.