Wednesday, November 25, 2009 10:02 PM CST
Mattoon's James considers EIU to be a friendly foe
BY BRIAN NIELSEN, Sports Editor
bnielsen@jg-tc.com
CARBONDALE -- Nothing personal, Connor James insists.
In fact, the Mattoon linebacker playing for Southern Illinois has only good things to say about Eastern Illinois linebacker Cory Leman and Panther coaches.
Trouble is those friendly acquaintances now stand in the way of James and his Salukis heading into a 1 p.m. Saturday NCAA Football Championship Subdivision meeting between the two state schools at Carbondale.
That No. 1 national ranking from Sports Network’s FCS poll can only provide so much satisfaction.
“It felt good, past tense, but now it’s a new season and every one has a chance to be No. 1,” James said. “We’d much rather be No. 1 on Dec. 18 on the field.”
The next step toward that Dec. 18 national championship game in Chattanooga, Tenn., is the first-round playoff game against an Eastern team that was three years ago was in the recruiting picture for James, an All-Big 12 Conference linebacker/fullback.
“Coach (Roc) Bellantoni talked to me quite a bit,” James said of EIU’s defensive coordinator. “He was great about it. When I told him my decision he wished me well and I did the same to him. I have a lot of respect for (head) coach (Bob) Spoo and coach Bellantoni.”
Among those choosing Eastern that same year was Champaign Central’s Cory Leman, one of Mattoon’s Big 12 foes and now one of the Panthers’ leading tacklers.
“Cory and I, we went to a lot of those senior day camps and we became good friends,” James said. “As far as the (Mattoon-Central) game that year, we ended up winning. It was Homecoming so that was a big game for me. It will be good to see him across the field again.”
As a Southern Illinois sophomore, the 6-foot-1, 215-pound James ranks sixth on the team with 38 tackles, including 26 solos. His season has included one tackle for loss, one quarterback sack, two quarterback hurries, a pass breakup and a forced fumble.
“Connor has had a very good season for us,” SIU coach Dale Lennon said. “In special teams he has made his mark. He’s been special teams player of the week for us several times. But now he has gotten in the rotation on defense.”
James’ self-assessment: “I would say I’ve done pretty well. I’d like to do better obviously. Special teams have been my main impact on the team. I got in a few plays last game on defense.”
His younger brother Cameron is now a walk-on playing for the scout team defense though he is not on the roster that his to be in uniform for Saturday’s game.
Cameron’s turn may come.
For Connor, the time is now.
“We’re having a good year,” he said. “Hopefully, we can keep going.”
Contact Brian Nielsen at bnielsen@jg-tc.com or 238-56856.
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