SIU defensive lineman Kevin Glajchen (94) had one of two sacks Saturday in the Salukis’ 23-16 loss to Northern Iowa. (Photo by SIUSalukis.com)

After their first Missouri Valley Football Conference loss of the season – and the only loss to an FCS team this fall – the Southern Illinois Salukis fell from a No. 3 ranking nationally Monday but remained in the Top 10 in both polls.

SIU (6-2 overall, 4-1 MVFC) fell to No. 7 in the STATS Perform media poll and No. 9 in the American Football Coaches’ Association rankings as a result of a 23-16 loss Saturday at Northern Iowa.

“We knew it was going to be a challenge for us to go on the road and get a win against a good football team,” SIU head coach Nick Hill said Monday. “We had a lot of missed opportunities there offensively. We put together some drives but just (didn’t) come away with enough scoring opportunities.”

Despite outgaining the Panthers, 410-285, SIU settled for field goals on three different drives and scored only three points in the entire second half.

Meanwhile, Northern Iowa (5-3) jumped three spots in the media poll to No. 13 and two spots in the coaches’ poll to No. 15.

Sam Houston (7-0) and North Dakota State (8-0) remained in the top two spots in both polls, while James Madison (7-1) took over at No. 3.

Montana State (7-1), Eastern Washington (7-1) and Southeastern Louisiana (7-1) filled out the Nos. 4-6 spots in both polls.

SIU and NDSU do not face each other this fall during the regular season.

The Bison are the only MVFC team without a loss and lead the Salukis by one-half game in the league standings. In order to SIU to gain at least a share of the title, they need NDSU to stumble in one of its remaining games at No. 9 South Dakota State, at Youngstown State or at home in the regular-season finale against No. 23 South Dakota.

“I hope the (MVFC champion) has a loss,” Hill joked. “I’ll be rooting for them to have a loss. You’re always going to have a bad taste in your mouth (after a loss) until you can go back out there and get another win. Hopefully somebody knocks the other team ahead of us off.”