CARBONDALE - Damian Sherman went five yards downfield, cut to his left, and cradled Joe Allaria's pass in his hands just before turning upfield Tuesday.

As routine as it seemed on Southern Illinois University's practice field, it was much more to the Saluki offense. About eight practices before SIU opens the 2008 season against Hampton, it was the kind of timing that could allow the Salukis to move the football quickly down the field.

"We have some pretty good receivers," SIU coach Dale Lennon said. "They've played well this pre-fall. They've made some big catches. They're competing out there, and that's what you look for."

The Salukis lost their top four receivers from last year's 12-2 squad. In their place Tuesday, SIU had Sherman, a 6-foot-4 senior, Minnesota transfer Marc Cheatham and sophomore Jeff Evans in their places. Those three were the listed starters on the team's most recent depth chart and gives the Salukis a lot of options.

At 6-4, 213 pounds, Sherman is the largest receiver on the depth chart. He also might be the fastest, as he was the No. 1-ranked 200-meter dash runner in the NJCAA in 2005. The fifth-year senior started three games last fall but caught only seven passes for 123 yards.

Eleven days from the home opener, Sherman said SIU's offense was getting closer to game shape.

"We're very close," he said. "We're getting the timing and execution down real good. Everything is falling in tow."

Cheatham also has a large frame for SIU's still unnamed starter, and a potential long-distance threat. The Oakland, Calif., native averaged 18.1 yards per catch at Laney Community College in Oakland. Evans is the most experienced of the three projected starters, as he started eight games last fall. The 6-foot, 196-pound Evans caught 12 passes for 149 yards and is one of three underclassmen fighting for a starting spot.

Sophomores Matt Guinn and Anthony Seay are currently No. 2 receivers.

SIU led the Missouri Valley Football Conference in passing offense last season, averaging 235.2 yards per game. Behind quarterback Nick Hill, who signed with the Chicago Bears following the NFL draft before being cut, the Salukis were second in total offense at 442.1 yards per game.

As to whom this year's starting quarterback would be, Lennon said he has made up his mind between the four on the team, but declined to reveal his decision. Redshirt sophomore Chris Dieker was the projected starter as of Aug. 21. Whether it is Dieker, Allaria, redshirt freshman Bobby Brenneisen or true freshman Taylor Beasley, Lennon said he liked the options his offense gives him.

"If we feel like we can run the football, we want to be able to do that, and if feel we need to pass the ball, we've got to be able to do that," Lennon said. "Right now, if we look at what we're doing offensively, it's pretty diverse. We can get into a lot of different looks, and be very flexible with our game plans each week."

Lennon hopes to get a better idea how to use those game plans Thursday at the final scrimmage of the preseason. Fan Day/Tag Day begins at 7 p.m. at McAndrew Stadium and will feature the Salukis in a few game-type situations.

SIU returns 12 starters from last year's semifinalists and opens the regular-season at 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 6, against the Pirates.

todd.hefferman@thesouthern.com / 351-5087