Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Morris Captures National Player of the Week Honor
11/02/2009 | 12:00:00 | Football
Nov. 2, 2009
PHILADELPHIA, Pa. - Southern Illinois senior wide receiver Bryce Morris was selected Monday as the Sports Network Special Teams National Player of the Week. This is the second-straight week that a Saluki has been named the national player of the week and the third time overall on the year.
Morris' award comes after SIU's 33-0 victory at Indiana State on Halloween in Memorial Stadium.
Morris blocked a punt late in the second quarter that was recovered by Beau Hoffman and returned four yards for a touchdown. The score put the Salukis up 21-0 at the time and gave the Salukis two-straight games with a blocked punt. Morris finished the day with four catches for a career-high 80 yards receiving to go with the first blocked punt of his career.
In eight games this season, Morris has caught 27 passes for 332 yards with one touchdown.
Korey Lindsey was named the national defensive player of the week on Oct. 26 and Deji Karim was the national offensive player of the week on Oct. 12. SIU's three national player of the week awards this fall ties for the most in a season in school history. In 2008, the Salukis had two Sports Network National Players of the Week (Lindsey and Larry Warner) and one College Sporting News Player of the Week (Brandin Jordan).
No. 3 Southern Illinois (7-1, 6-0 MVFC) plays at No. 9 South Dakota State (7-1, 6-0) on Saturday with the leagues automatic bid for the FCS Playoffs on the line. Kickoff in Coughlin Alumni Stadium is set for 1 p.m.
