Here’s an early look at Purdue’s second opponent of the 2025 season, the Southern Illinois Salukis:

Date/Time: Saturday, September 6, 7:30 p.m. EDT

Location: Ross-Ade Stadium

Surface: Bermuda Grass

Capacity: 61,441 (tickets)

Weather: The early forecast shows a high of 72 degrees with a mild breeze and clear skies.

2025 schedules/rosters: Purdue schedule | Purdue roster | Southern Illinois schedule | Southern Illinois roster

Series notes: Saturday will mark the second meeting between the Boilermakers and Salukis. The lone previous contest came in 2014, a 35-13 Purdue win under coach Darrell Hazell. 106 of Danny Etling’s 198 passing yards went to Danny Anthrop in the victory, one of three Purdue wins in 2014. Purdue holds a 14-0 record against FCS competition since Division I split into two subdivisions ahead of the 1978 season.

TV: BTN

Early line: FBS vs. FCS lines generally become available later in the week

STORYLINES TO WATCH

One final tuneup

After a 31-0 cruise past Ball State to open the season, Purdue welcomes FCS Southern Illinois to town. While nothing is given in competitive sports, the Boilermakers will take the field as a heavy favorite on Saturday evening. Based on preseason projections, it could be the last time the 2025 Boilermakers enter a game as the favorite.

Once Southern Illinois leaves town, Purdue’s level of competition increases substantially. The Boilermakers will look to fine-tune their operation against an FCS foe to ready themselves for nine Big Ten contests and a trip to Notre Dame.

A 2-0 start?

Starting 2-0 hasn’t come easily for Purdue. The program achieved this for four consecutive years, from 2004 to 2007. Since then, 2021 stands as the only 2-0 start, when Purdue took down Oregon State and UConn to begin a nine-win year.

A win on Saturday would get Purdue to 2-0 and put it in the position it must be in to maximize the opportunities ahead. The last eight seasons with a 2-0 start all resulted in Purdue making a bowl game. Should that take place in 2025, Boilermaker fans might do cartwheels down State Street.

An important streak

Since the split of Division I into the FBS and FCS (formerly I-A and I-AA), Purdue remains unbeaten against FCS foes. 14 FCS foes have entered Ross-Ade Stadium since 1978, and all left in defeat. The last time Purdue welcomed an FCS team came last season, when Purdue opened the year with a 49-0 triumph over Indiana State.

Odom on the Salukis

Updates will be provided following Odom’s Monday afternoon press conference