CARBONDALE - Andrew Kernes' face lights up at the mere mention of the moment. It was the third quarter of a 35-28 Southern Illinois victory over Division I-A Indiana. The Salukis were trailing 21-7 when they scored on a 7-yard touchdown pass. His initial jubilation cranked up a couple notches when he realized No. 86, his younger brother, Ryan, had caught the pass. "I didn't know it was him until after he got up," Andrew said. "I think I was more excited than he was."

It was a special moment for the brothers. Andrew is a redshirt junior who started all 13 games last year at offensive right tackle. Ryan is a freshman tight end.

"He's one up on me, he's got a touchdown," Andrew said. "I'm a little envious of that. That's the closest I'm ever going to come to scoring. I was real quick to get over and jump on him.

"That was definitely something else. It was definitely the highlight of my career. It's a big crowd, big-time football. It doesn't get much bigger than the Big Ten."

It's also the highlight of Ryan's four-game collegiate career.

"I couldn't even believe it when he threw it to me," said Ryan of his only reception of the season in three games of action. "I was as surprised as anyone else. I'm sure everyone in the stadium looked up that number in the program. It was a good feeling.

"He (Andrew) came up and gave me a high five. That was pretty sweet."

Although both were standouts at Bloomington High School, this is the first time they've been on the same team. Ryan was a freshman during Andrew's senior season.

"It's different," Ryan said. "It's weird looking over there and seeing your brother. When you're in a game, to tell you the truth, I don't even notice. I'm worrying about my assignment because there is so much to process."

Because of the nature of their positions, No. 73 and No. 86 sometimes line up side by side.

"It's any brother's dream," Andrew said. "Any time you get to play on the same team, and we get to line up next to each other ? that's a good feeling."

Although older brother Andrew had already carved out a starting position for himself last year, Ryan said the decision to attend SIU was anything but a no-brainer.

"It was a decision based on I wanted to play tight end, not just long snapper," he said. "So, I came here because I wanted to get on the field as a tight end and I knew they needed tight ends down here.

"Also, they had engineering and school is real important to me."

In the meantime, Andrew admitted to a little behind-the-scenes persuasion.

"You know, I'd like to say I didn't," he said, still another smile crossing his face. "Anytime you have family as close as him and I are, I'd have to say I had a little persuading there. I tried to stay in the middle, but it's always fun playing with your brother."

Andrew said the possibility of the two playing together occurred to him when he was being recruited.

"I can recall back when I was a senior, Coach (Pat) Poore sat on my couch at home and my little brother was a freshman," he said. "He was like, 'Man, that kid is going to be big.' I said, 'You're going to be recruiting him some day.'

"It just so happens that four years later, he did the same spiel on the couch with a different player."

However, when younger brother arrived at SIU, big brother had to cut the strings - at least temporarily.

"It's every man for himself," Andrew said. "I'm always going to be the big brother, you know. Hopefully, I can help him learn from my mistakes and he doesn't make the same ones I did."

That means older brother sometimes serves as a personal tutor.

"He helps me out with my blocking," Ryan said. "He knows a lot of stuff that can help me. If I'm getting reamed pretty hard, he'll tell me what I'm doing wrong. He'll tell me, 'Keep your hands inside, keep your head back.' "

A fringe benefit of playing on the same team, their parents don't have to miss any games.

"I think they look forward to their weekends now," Andrew said. "They get to come down and get to see both of their boys compete.

"It's definitely special. If anybody said they weren't pumped about it, they'd be lying to you. I try to downplay it, but it's a dream come true. I love to play next to him."