'Pack the Mac' on Saturday

Tickets still remain for Saturday's Division 1 nationally televised semifinal football game between your SIU Salukis and Delaware at McAndrew Stadium.

Forging ahead — Saluki senior running back John Randle breaks through the UMass defenders during Saturday's 34-27 quarterfinal victory at McAndrew Stadium. Randle gained 86 on 16 carries. The Salukis look to advance to the NCAA Division 1 championship game with a win over Delaware this Saturday at McAndrew Stadium.

Game time is 3 p.m.

The 12-1 Salukis are looking to advance to the championship game for the first time in 24 years. The Dawgs will also be looking to avenge a 48-7 loss to the Blue Hens in the first round of the 2003 playoffs — a trip which marked the first of five consecutive playoff berths for the Salukis.

Tickets are $19 for adults, and $6 for college students, high school students and younger. Free tickets are available for SIUC students with a valid SIU student ID. Tickets are available at the SIU Arena Ticket Office until 6 p.m., Wednesday, and from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Thursday and Friday. Tickets will also be available at McAndrew Stadium Gate 1 beginning at 9 a.m. Saturday.

Coach Jerry Kill, who is 55-31 in seven seasons at SIUC, is one of five finalists for the Division 1 Liberty Mutual Coach of the Year. Fans may cast votes through Dec. 15 at http://www.coachoftheyear.com

The Salukis are 29-3 at McAndrew Stadium since 2003, including 7-0 this season. The fourth-seed going into the Division 1 playoffs, the Salukis are the only remaining seed remaining. The game is also being televised on ESPN.

In 1983, the Salukis, under then-Coach Rey Dempsey, the Salukis captured the national title with a 43-7 win over Western Carolina, finishing the season 13-1. The team's lone loss was at Wichita State, 28-6, in the regular-season finale.

A win on Saturday allows this year's Salukis to tie the 1983 squad for a school record most wins in a season, and propels them to the Dec. 14 national title game in Chattanooga, Tenn., to face either two-time defending national champion Appalachian State or Richmond.

- Pete Rosenbery