Southern Illinoise University Athletics
10 Salukis earn All-MVFC recognition
11/30/2015 | 12:00:00 | Football
SAINT LOUIS - Ten Southern Illinois football players earned All-Conference honors from the Missouri Valley Football Conference, the league announced Monday morning. Quarterback Mark Iannotti and right tackle Ethan Wirth were SIU's two first-team honorees. SIU had at least two first-team All-MVFC selections for the 16th-consecutive year.
Tight end Adam Fuehne, wide receiver Billy Reed, linebacker Chase Allen, safety Kenny James and return specialist Daquan Isom were named second-team All-MVFC; and punter Derek Mathewson, outside linebacker Brandon Williams and right guard Jake Notario were honorable mention selections.
FIRST TEAM
Mark Iannotti set an MVFC regular-season record for total offense with 3,911 yards, and he led the nation in total offense per game. He led the MVFC in passing yards, passing touchdowns and total offense, setting Southern Illinois school records for single-season passing yards and total offense. He had games of 517 and 473 yards total offense this season, both of which rank in the top-10 in MVFC history. Iannotti averaged more yards individually than 47 FCS teams did as a whole. He's on the STATS Offensive Player of the Year Watch List, which awards the top offensive player in the country.
Ethan Wirth is a four-year starter on the offensive line for SIU and earned two MVFC Offensive Lineman of the Week honors, including once this season after SIU put up 673 yards total offense at Indiana. He blocked for the No. 1 total, scoring and passing offense in the MVFC on a unit that allowed the second-fewest sacks in the conference despite throwing the most passes.
SECOND TEAM TEAM
Chase Allen had 120 tackles in 2015, the third-most in the MVFC and the most for an SIU player since 2002. He blocked three kicks, which led the MVFC and ranked fifth nationally. After blocking two kicks and recording 10 tackles in the second half vs. Youngstown State, Allen was named the MVFC Special Teams Player of the Week. He ranked 15th nationally in tackles per game and had seven games with double-digit tackles. His 19 tackles at SEMO tied for the 12th-most by any player in a game in the FCS in 2015.
Adam Fuehne started all 11 games at tight end for the Salukis and had 25 receptions for 351 yards and two touchdowns. He averaged 14.0 yards per reception on the season and had 130 yards and a touchdown at Indiana.
Daquan Isom was a two-time MVFC Newcomer of the Week who earned All-Conference honors as a return specialist. He ranked eighth nationally in all-purpose yards per game and second among freshmen. He led the conference in kick return average and busted two kick returns of 50 yards or longer. On offense, he averaged 7.0 yards per carry and had nine plays of 40+ yards in only nine games.
Kenny James ranked fourth in the conference in total tackles (107) and 18th nationally in tackles per game. He returned two interceptions for touchdowns, both in MVFC games, and forced two fumbles, which ranked fifth in the MVFC. He totaled three non-offensive touchdowns and had six double-figure tackle games, including four games of at least 14 tackles.
Billy Reed ranked third in the MVFC with 56 receptions and ranked fourth with 73.2 receiving yards per game. He set a school record with 14 catches vs. Illinois State and had four 100-yard receiving games, three of which came in MVFC play. He became the fifth player in program history to record more than 800 receiving yards in a single season.
HONORABLE MENTION
Derek Mathewson ranked 14th nationally in punting average (43.1) and third in the MVFC. He had nine punts of at least 50 yards and 13 pinned inside the opponent's 20-yard line. His season punting average (43.1) ranks fifth in SIU single-season history.
Jake Notario started 10 games at right guard for the Salukis in 2015. He blocked for the No. 1 total, scoring and passing offense in the MVFC on a unit that allowed the second-fewest sacks in the conference despite throwing the most passes.
Brandon Williams earned MVFC Defensive Player of the Week honors after he had seven tackles, a sack, 1.5 tackles for loss, a forced fumble and a blocked kick in SIU's 34-13 win over No. 10 Liberty. He ended the year ranked ninth in the MVFC in both tackles for loss (10.0) and sacks (4.5). He also blocked three kicks, which led the MVFC and ranked fifth nationally.
