Thursday, February 1, 2007

49ers likely to play Salukis next season

Random observations about the Niners:

-- It looks like Charlotte has secured a home game next season against Missouri Valley Conference power Southern Illinois (18-5, 9-3). Charlotte is 5-1 all-time against the Salukis, with the most recent meeting being the 49ers' 64-59 win in Carbondale, Ill., in 2004 which ended SIU's then 31-game home winning streak (third-longest in the country at that time). The tentative date for the game is Saturday, Dec. 8.

-- Injuries mounting: A total of three players missed practice Thursday. Travis Gordon, who injured his right shoulder and is awaiting a magnetic resonance imaging test, sat out. Joining him were Jerell Jamison (sore back) and Antwon Coleman (injured right thumb).

-- Considering how difficult this season has been and how much E.J. Drayton has meant to what success the 49ers have had, how bad would things be if Drayton had played one more minute in an additional game last season and had been ineligible for a medical redshirt? He gets my early vote for team MVP.

-- Jim Utter

7 comments:

allie49er said...

Awesome! I'm glad that we're playing the Salukis again next year. That was an exciting game in 04. I totally agree about E.J. He has been more impressive than I could have imagined this year.

Anonymous said...

Jim I personally agree with you on the issue about EJ being the MVP of this season. He's worked long and diligently to get to where he is currently. But i personally wish we could have bagged Wichita or one of the other bigger MVC teams. Just a personal preference. Don't mind playing the salukis hope they can draw a decent crowd. Are we still going to continue the charlotte v. indiana games?

Anonymous said...

WOW....scary thought if EJ played another 60 seconds. Thankfully, he didn't.

Good stuff on the SIU game. Next year's OOC schedule already looks better than this year.

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the schedule update Jim! If you hear anything else, please let us know. I second that EJ has been the MVP so far. I can't remember such a dramatic turnaround of a player in such a short time. His hard work is definitely paying off!

Anonymous said...

I just hope the Southern Illinois game won't be scheduled over the holiday break when students are away.

EJ has definitely been a great surprise this seasaon. Without his rebounding, I don't know how many more losses the 49ers would have. I hope he closes out his career strongly!

Anonymous said...

Wow, I'm glad to hear that we managed to get SIU to come to Charlotte next year. i know scheduling has been an issue lately. I definitely agree about EJ. He certainly gets my vote.

Anonymous said...

Good news about Sou. Ill.

and about E.J. you sir, are correct!