Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Karim Named MVFC Offensive Player of the Week
10/11/2009 | 12:00:00 | Football
Oct. 11, 2009
By Jason Clay
www.SIUSalukis.com
ST. LOUIS, Mo. - Southern Illinois senior running back Deji Karim has been named the Missouri Valley Football Conference Offensive Player of the Week following his phenomenal game in SIU's 43-23 win over Illinois State, Oct. 10.
Karim had 310 all-purpose yards and a career-high 273 yards rushing with three TDs on 28 carries. His 273 yards rushing are the third most in a single-game in school history and the sixth most in league history. It was his second 200-yard rushing game of the season.
One of his three touchdown runs in the game was a 93 yarder, besting his 92-yard TD run from the previous week. Karim had four rushes that were longer than 20 yards, including all three of his touchdown runs. He averaged 9.8 yards per carry, which is the third highest average for a Saluki back with at least 20 attempts.
Karim leads the nation in both rushing yards per game (166.8), all-purpose yards (227.8) and his nine total touchdowns on the year are tied for the most. He ranks No. 2 in the FCS in kickoff return average (35.15) and is tied for fourth in scoring with 10.8 points per game.
The native of Oklahoma City has two of the top six rushing games in the nation this year and two of the top three longest runs from scrimmage. Karim's 273 yards in Saturday's game are 44 more than the second biggest rushing game in the country.
This year Karim has rushed for 834 yards on 95 carries with eight rushing touchdowns. He averages an eye-popping 8.8 yards per carry and has 1,139 all-purpose yards through five games.
