Saturday’s non-conference game at Southern Illinois has all the makings to be an offensive shootout.

The No. 9 ranked Panthers (4-1, 3-0) enter Saturday’s game with the nation’s No. 4 efficiency passer anxious to let some fly. Quarterback Tony Romo, a candidate for the Walter Payton Division I-AA “Player of the Year” award, didn’t throw a single pass in the wet conditions of last week’s 12-0 Homecoming win over Southeast Missouri St.

“I think Tony would tell you he’s ready to do whatever it takes to help the team win, but I’m sure he’s anxious to throw the ball,” Eastern head coach Bob Spoo said. “We talk all the time about not being one-dimensional, but that’s exactly what we were last week. The circumstances called for that, but we need to get back to moving the ball with some passes.”

Eastern also enters the game with tailback J.R. Taylor on a hot streak. The junior rushed for 241 yards last week. Sophomore back Andre Raymond ran for 89 yards on 16 carries last week. Unlike last week, the flashy tailback will get the chance to run on a surface more conducive to his running style at McAndrew Stadium as the Panthers will get their first look at Astroplay, an artificial surface with rubber blades like grass.

“It’s a really good surface and it should help backs that have his kind of style.” Spoo said. “For the niftier, finesse-type back, this is the surface they like to be on.”

The Salukis (1-4) enter the game with a flashy back of their own. Junior back Tom Koustos is the 18th-best back in the country, averaging 122 yards per game. He needs just 257 yards to become Southern’s all-time leading rusher.

“This is a good football team that can move the ball and they have a running back who is a fine, fine football player,” Spoo said. “He’s going to break the school rushing record in just three years. That’s how capable he is. He’s a tremendous back.”

Southern enters Saturday’s game, coming off a narrow loss at No. 14 ranked Northern Iowa. The Salukis lost that game 19-14 in the UNI-Dome. Southern’s other three losses have come to Ohio Valley Conference foes Murray State and SEMO as well as a 38-21 loss at No. 12 ranked Western Illinois.

The Salukis have been able to hang with tougher opponents on the ability of junior quarterback Kevin Kobe and senior transfer quarterback Madei Williams from Syracuse.

“They both are nifty guys,” Spoo said. “I can see why they brought Williams in. He’s a big, strong kid who can run the offense very well.”

SIU runs an offense similar to that of Northwestern in the Big 10. The Salukis use a no-huddle style offense in which the quarterback receives the plays in signals from the sideline.

“It’s hard to defend against that Northwestern package,” Spoo said. “But we’ve seen that no huddle situation before (against Tennessee Tech). So there should be very many surprises at all, thankfully.”

Cornerbacks Kourtney Young and Antwan Oliver are expected to be back in Saturday’s lineup after suffering injuries. Defensive back John Williams remains doubtful, but will be available to hold on placement kicks.

Some Panthers will have revenge on their minds Saturday afternoon, as the Salukis stomped Eastern 38-0 in the last meeting two years ago. The loss at O’Brien Stadium came on the heels of Eastern’s `99 trip to Hawaii.

“I’ve hears some comments about revenge. I think there’s some guys that haven’t forgotten that game,” Spoo said. “But that will only last one play and after that it’s knock down, drag out time.”