Three Salukis named All-MVFC

MVFC Release

ST. LOUIS – Three Southern Illinois football players were named honorable mention All-Conference, the Missouri Valley Football Conference announced on Monday morning. Chase Allen (linebacker), D.J. Davis (return specialist) and Austin Olsen (offensive line) all earned the honor.

CHASE ALLEN (LINEBACKER)

Chase Allen ends his career as one of the most decorated linebackers in school history. He was the team's leading tackler for a third-straight season and ended his career with the 12th-most tackles in program history. He was second-team All-MVFC in 2015 in addition to this year's honorable mention All-MVFC honor. He is only the second player in program history to lead the team in tackles three-straight years, joining Kevin Kilgallon (1988, 89 and 90). In 2016, Allen had 77 tackles, which ranked 10th in the MVFC. He also had 7.0 tackles for loss, a sack, a pass breakup, a forced fumble, a blocked kick and seven QB hurries.

D.J DAVIS (RETURN SPECIALIST)

D.J. Davis was one of the most dynamic freshmen in the nation in 2016. He led the MVFC in kick return average by 2.5 yards per return and was fifth in the MVFC in all-purpose yards per game. He had a 98-yard kick return touchdown vs. Murray State, the second-longest kick return TD in the MVFC in 2016. He ranked second nationally among freshmen in kick return average and had the third-most kick return yards in SIU single-season history.

AUSTIN OLSEN (OFFENSIVE LINE)

Austin Olsen was the anchor for Southern Illinois' offensive line. Olsen has started 22 consecutive games at left tackle after starting all 11 games there this season. He paved the way for SIU's offense, which ranked second in the MVFC in both scoring and total offense. The Salukis led the MVFC in passing offense and set program single-season records for passing completions, attempts and yardage, with Olsen protecting the blind side.