Southern Illinois is seeking another victory celebration after losing two games in a row. (Photo courtesy SIUSalukis.com)

Losing two games in a row has moved the Southern Illinois football team down in the national polls and likely in the pecking order for the FCS playoffs.

But what happened two weeks ago in Cedar Falls, Iowa, or last weekend in Carbondale isn’t top of mind for SIU head coach Nick Hill.

“Every season is going to have some adversity or things that might not go as planned,” Hill said this week. “Ultimately, it’s about how you respond.”

The Salukis’ response will be on display at noon Saturday in Terre Haute, Ind., when No. 15 SIU kicks off its final regular-season road game against Indiana State in a Missouri Valley Football Conference contest.

“We have an opportunity to finish out the season with some momentum, and that’s what we’ve got to do,” Hill said. “Adversity is going to reveal what kind of team you have.”

Hill said winning this weekend and Nov. 20 at home against Youngstown State will give his team the best regular season it has had in the past 12 years.

“It’s not too tough to keep these guys motivated,” he said. “Motivation isn’t an issue at all.”

The Salukis (6-3 overall, 4-2 MVFC) are hoping to get their groove back on offense after scoring 44 combined points in their losing streak.

The run game managed only 36 yards against Missouri State last weekend, and quarterback Nic Baker has been sacked seven times in the past two weeks.

“We’ve got to get back to the physicalness up front,” Hill said. “That was probably one of the worst rushing performances we’ve had in three years. We have to get back to — at all 11 positions — having a physical mindset. That starts at practice.”

Indiana State (4-5, 2-4) is 2-2 in the past month and is coming off of a bye week for today’s game.

But the opponent, according to Hill, isn’t as important as how SIU performs.

“We’ve lost two games in a row,” he said. “I don’t care who we play. We’re going to show up and play. … There should be a consistent frustration. You have to have a resilient attitude. That’s what this team is made of. It’s not a lack of effort, and you don’t see many bad attitudes.”

News and notes

Indiana State running back Peterson Kerlegrand has rushed for 713 yards, the fourth-most among all MVFC rushers. He also has five rushing touchdowns. … SIU’s current 6-3 record is its best through nine games since going 8-1 to start the 2009 season. … Senior kicker Nico Gualdoni tied a 51-year-old school record with his 55-yard field goal last weekend against Missouri State. … The Salukis are guaranteed three straight winning seasons, their longest streak since posting eight consecutive winning seasons from 2002 to 2009. … Since taking over at cornerback for injured starter James Ceasar in Week 3, freshman David Miller has compiled 45 tackles, three pass breakups and one interception in seven starts. Miller is in his first season in Carbondale after starting his career at Navy.

Where to find the game

The Southern Illinois game at Indiana State starts at noon Saturday, Nov. 13 on ESPN3. The radio broadcast is available online at CILFM.com.