DJ Williams named National Player of the Week; SIU sweeps Valley honors

CARBONDALE, Ill. — Southern Illinois quarterback DJ Williams was named the Stats Perform national Offensive Player of the Week for his efforts in SIU's 59-31 win over SEMO. 

His 493 yards of total offense versus the Redhawks was the third-most in school history. He had 342 through the air with four TDs, plus 151 on the ground with two more touchdowns.

Williams joins an elite list of Saluki offensive players to win National Player of the Week honors: RB Andre Herrera, RB Muhammad Abdulqaadir, RB Arkee Whitlock, QB Nick Hill, RB Larry Warner, RB Deji Karim, QB Mark Iannotti and QB Nic Baker.

SIU swept three Missouri Valley Football Conference player of the week awards, with Williams (Offensive), linebacker Chris Presto (Defensive) and guard Derek Harden Jr. (Offensive Lineman). Presto had 12 tackles, an interception and a forced fumble. Harden Jr. helped pave the way for an offensive that generated 612 total yards.

In this week's Stats Perform FCS Top 25, SIU moved up two spots to No. 11. They moved up one spot in the AFCA Coaches poll to No. 12.