Wallace named Gateway Conference Special Teams Player-of-the-Week

10/29/2006 | 12:00:00 | Football

Oct. 29, 2006

By Jeff Honza
www.SIUSalukis.com

CARBONDALE, Ill. - Southern Illinois University junior safety A.J. Wallace was named this week's Gateway Conference Special Teams Player-of-the-Week.

A native of Newport News, Va., Wallace blocked a punt early in the second quarter against Missouri State. He came free through the middle of the Bears' line to get a hand on Nathan Stokes' punt shortly after MSU had returned a fumble for a touchdown to take a 10-3 lead.

Wallace's key special teams play rallied the Dawgs to 24 consecutive unanswered points, as the Bears did not lead again.

SIU special teams have accounted for 23 points, three blocked punts and a pair of punt returns for touchdowns in the last four games. Wallace is the third different Saluki to block a punt over that span.

Wallace is the second Saluki to take the league's special teams honor in as many weeks.