Saluki Nic Baker is “National” FCS Player of the Week; Baker is MVFC Offensive Player of the Week; and P.J. Jules is MVFC Defensive Player of the Week
By Jim Beers
CHESTER – Following the very impressive come-from-behind, 26-25, win over Southeast Missouri State (SEMO) last Saturday September 16, two major polls have taken notice and honored SIU by moving them to a National Ranking of No. 12 in the Stats Perform Top-25 Poll and No. 13 in the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) Coaches Poll.
SIU Quarterback, Nic Baker (left) and SIU Safety P.J. Jules (right) were named for special awards for their football performances Saturday September 16 against Southeast Missouri State (SEMO). Baker earned both National and Missouri Velley Football Conference (MVFC) honors while Jules earned MVFC honors. Baker was the FedEx Ground Offensive Player of the Week well as the MVFC Offensive Player of the Week. Jules was the MVFC Defensive Player of the Week. Both Salukis played key roles in orchestrating the amazing 26-25 come-from-behind victory over then-ranked No. 13 SEMO. Photo courtesy of Southern Illinois University Athletics
Equally impressive is the fact that two Salukis have been honored with Weekly Honors. Nic Baker was named with two top awards. He received the “National” Offensive Player of the Week Award from the FCS and he was named the Missouri Valley Football Conference (MVFC) Offensive player of the Week.
Southern Illinois University safety P.J. Jules was named the Missouri Valley Football Conference Defensive (MVFC) Player of the Week.
The Missouri Valley Football Conference (MVFC) was further honored once again as the Top Football Championship Sub-Division (FCS) Conference in the country.
The MVFC currently has 9-of-12 of its teams ranked in the Top-31 of all teams nationally by the Sargin Ratings.
The MVFC also has 5-of-12 teams ranked in Top-24 highest ranking teams in the country. Finally, the MVFC has 3-of-12 teams ranked in the Top-12 among all teams in the country.
As of the announcement released Monday September 18, The MVFC has 5 teams ranked in the Top-24 in both top polls. South Dakota State and North Dakota State rank as No.1 and No. 2 in both the Stats Perform Poll and the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) Poll.
Southern Illinois is Ranked No. 12 in Stats Perform Poll and No. 13 in the AFCA Poll. North Dakota is ranked No. 14 in both Polls and Youngstown State is ranked No. 24 in both Polls.
Southeast Missouri State (SEMO) dropped to No. 16 in the Stats Perform Poll and No. 20 in the AFCA Poll. Last week they were ranked No. 13 in the Stats Perform Poll and No. 15 in the AFCA Poll.
Each week the Football Championship Sub-Division (FCS) announces “Nation Player of the Week Awards” and the Missouri Valley Football Conference announces “MVFC Weekly Awards”. SIU quarterback Nic Baker received a national award, while Baker and SIU safety P.J. Jules each received weekly conference awards.
Nic Baker is “National” Offensive Player of the Week and “MVFC” Offensive Player of the Week
Nic Baker, SIU quarterback, has been named the FedEx Ground National Offensive Player of the Week. Baker, from Rochester, Illinois, is the first Saluki Football Player to be named with this National honor since 2015 when former SIU quarterback, Mark Iannotti earned the honor.
Baker was recognized for his orchestration of the phenomenal 26-25 come-from-behind win over No. 13 Southeast Missouri State (SEMO) on Saturday September 16. The Redhawks shut out the Salukis in the first half leading 15-0 at the halftime break.
After being personally challenged by SIU Head Coach, Nick Hill in the locker room at halftime in front of the entire Saluki squad, Baker came back and passed for 408 yards in the second half alone. This was a school record for a single half.
For the game, he recorded a total of 462 yards after completing 35-of-51 passes (69%). His second-half passing exhibition kept the Salukis in the game and eventually won the game with his 9-yard touchdown pass to SIU wide receiver Izaiah Hartrup with 11 seconds remaining in the game.
Three times in the fourth quarter Baker converted on fourth-down plays including the final pass of the game for the victory. His performance earned him Missouri Valley Football Conference (MVFC) league-leading single-game best performances for both passing yards and overall total offense. Baker’s three-touchdown passing game is the second-best in the FCS second only to South Dakota State’s Mark Gronowski’s five touchdown passing game last weekend.
Baker’s accomplishments have earned him both National and Missouri Valley Football Conference’s Offensive Player of the Week Awards.
SIU’s P.J. Jules earns MVFC Defensive Player of the Week honors
P.J. Jules, a 6’1”, 209 Lb. Saluki safety from Orlando, Florida, has been named the Missouri Valley Football Conference (MVFC) Defensive Player of the Week as announced Monday September 18 by the MVFC.
Jules had a career-high 15 tackles in the come-from-behind 26-25 win over the then ranked No. 13 Southeast Missouri State (SEMO) Redhawks Saturday September 16. In addition Jules added a half-tackle-for-a-loss in the mix.
Another key to the huge win over SEMO was Jules’ three Pass Break-Ups which made it six for him in the past two games, three in the win over FBS Northern Illinois September 9 and three more against SEMO September 16. These stats move Jules up the all-time list at SIU to No. 5 at SIU.
Another highlight to add to the Saluki defense against SEMO was the fact that they held the Redhawks to only 86 yards rushing, which was the third-straight game that the Saluki defense has held opponents to under 100 yards.
Further accolades to Jules include that his 15 tackles against SEMO match the league’s best single-game number of tackles in a game this season. Jules’ six Pass Break-Ups leads the Missouri Valley Football Conference to date this 2023 season.