Opponent Watch

White returns to practice field for SIU

By Todd Hefferman, The Southern

CARBONDALE - The boot was off Tuesday, and Richard White looked like his old self in his return to practice from a turf toe injury in his left foot.

White, Southern Illinois University's starting tailback, did mostly conditioning workouts Sunday. He missed the team's public scrimmage Thursday at McAndrew Stadium, but returned to drills Tuesday in preparation for the No. 7 Salukis' season opener this weekend. SIU and Marshall kick off at 3:30 p.m. Saturday in Huntington, W. Va.

"I didn't think the injury could be so severe," White said. "Before, it was very painful. Now, it's just a nuisance. I'm just trying to get through it, and Lee (Land, SIU's head trainer) said whenever I can tolerate the pain, that's when I'll get back on the field."

On Monday's depth chart, White was listed as the starting running back for Saturday's season-opener, and White said he was at about 80 percent. If he can't go, fifth-year senior Deji Karim will be more than happy to take over the load. Karim redshirted last season because of a partial patella tear, and could see action returning kickoffs in addition to taking handoffs.

SIU is expected to use a running back by committee, at least early on, as the Salukis try to replace tailback Larry Warner. Warner, the Missouri Valley Football Conference's leader in all-purpose yards last season, ran for 1,265 yards and 10 touchdowns last season. White, Karim, junior Lucien Walker and freshman Steve Strother are expected to see action this weekend.

Strother, SIU coach Dale Lennon announced Tuesday, will be the only freshman not to redshirt this season, at least for now. Teams can pull the redshirt off a player at any time during the season, but would then lose the ability to use that season as a redshirt year.

White, a 5-foot-9, 185-pound junior, was SIU's second-leading rusher last season with 343 yards. He averaged 4.4 yards per carry and scored four touchdowns in 11 games. White also caught seven passes for 47 yards.

Marshall, a Football Bowl Subdivision team out of Conference USA, finished 4-8 last season and 3-5 in the league. The Thundering Herd have had four straight losing seasons under coach Mark Snyder and are expected to be without their starting tailback, Darius Marshall, All-American cornerback DeQuan Bembry, and linebacker Corey Hart. All three were suspended for violating team rules, and are not expected to play.

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