While most of Southern Illinois University's students are enjoying Thanksgiving break today, members of the Salukis defense will be taking a final exam of sorts.

The defense which has allowed just 20.6 points per game this season will be asked to contain the New Hampshire Wildcats. Kickoff for the first round Football Championship Division playoff game is set for 1 p.m. today.

The Wildcats come to Carbondale averaging 36.4 points per game.

"I like what they do offensively," said SIU coach Dale Lennon. "They're multi-formational. They'll do a lot of different things each game, so that will put some stress on our defense.

"They definitely like to throw the football, but they also have the capability of running it. They have very good athletes all the way through, so they don't have that one go-to guy. It's just a lot of guys that can make plays."

Quarterback R.J. Toman has been the big playmaker this season. The sophomore has thrown for 2,610 yards, 27 touchdowns and has a quarterback rating of 167.7.

"He's pretty much a pocket passer," said SIU middle linebacker Brandin Jordan. "He'll use his feet to get outside to make the pass complete, but he's not really looking to run the ball when he scrambles."

"Their quarterback has really come into his own," Lennon said. "He's the playmaker, the trigger guy. That's where a lot of their success has come."

Toman's favorite targets have been Mike Boyle and Scott Sicko. Boyle, a 5-foot-8 wide out, has 56 catches for 926 yards. Sicko has 41 receptions for 506 yards.

The Wildcats also have a tandem of running backs the Salukis must contain.

Robert Simpson, a 200-pound halfback, has 728 yards and six touchdowns. Chad Kackert has 571 yards despite missing four games.

And, these weapons are employed in a variety of ways.

"Their schemes are very diverse," Lennon said. "You're going to see different things from week to week. They have their base plays, but they'll go with a lot of different looks."

There is really no comparable offense in the Missouri Valley Football Conference.

"They have their own style," Lennon said. "I do feel that football can be somewhat regional. They're very common to what a lot of teams do out on the East Coast, but as far as the Missouri Valley, where you have a little more of the physical component, it's a little bit different."

Conversely, the Salukis will have to take care of the football. The Wildcats have turned the ball over just 16 times this season while creating 34 turnovers.

"They just basically play their game and try to get the ball back to the offense," Lennon said. "They like to come up and hit you. They're going to make you earn everything. They're not going to take a lot of chances.

"When they do bring pressure, it's going to be very calculated."

As far as the Salukis approach in Lennon's first postseason, it's not complicated.

"The whole point I want to emphasize is your want to earn another 60," he said. "That's the mentality you have to have. You have to earn it because everything can be over just like that."

The Salukis defense will be bolstered this week by the return of Jordan at middle linebacker. Jordan turned his ankle in practice late last week and was forced to sit out the Illinois State game.

les.winkeler@thesouthern.com/351-5088