The 2004 Southern Illinois Salukis football team represented Southern Illinois University as a member of the Gateway Football Conference during the 2004 NCAA Division I-AA football season. They were led by fourth-year head coach Jerry Kill and played their home games at McAndrew Stadium in Carbondale, Illinois. The Salukis finished the season with a 10âÂÂ2 record overall and a 7âÂÂ0 record in conference play, making them conference champions. The team received an automatic bid to the Division I-AA playoffs, where they lost to Eastern Washington in the first round. Southern Illinois was ranked No. 9 in The Sports Network's postseason ranking of FCS teams.
Running back Brandon Jacobs, a transfer from Auburn, rushed for 992 yards and 19 touchdowns during the season. He was drafted by the New York Giants in the 2005 NFL draft.