Southern Illinoise University Athletics
News | Six Salukis named to All-MVFC team
11/27/2023 | 1:05:00 | Football
CARBONDALE, Ill. — Southern Illinois had six players named to the All-Missouri Valley Football Conference team on Monday, including first-team safety PJ Jules and second-team linebacker Branson Combs. Four more players were named honorable mention — defensive tackle Kam Bowdry, cornerback Mark Davis Jr., wide receiver Vinson Davis III and cornerback DJ Johnson. Jules finished fourth in the voting for MVFC Defensive Player of the Year honors.
SIU's defense was strongly represented on the postseason award list, as the unit ranks among the Top 10 nationally in numerous statistical categories.
Started all 11 games … Led the team and ranked 3rd in the MVFC in tackles (100) … Led the MVFC in Pass Breakups (10) … Ranked third in the MVFC in tackles for loss (12.0) … Had double-digit tackles in 5 games, including 15 at SEMO, for which he was named MVFC Defensive Player of the Week … Had 12 tackles twice (Northern Illinois, Indiana State) and 10 tackles twice (South Dakota State, South Dakota) … Leader of a unit that ranked 7th in scoring defense and 6th in rushing defense.
#12 LB Branson Combs, 6-3, 222, Jr., Evansville, Ind. / Reitz Memorial HS
Played in all 11 games … 2nd Team All-MVFC … Ranks 2nd on the team in tackles (76) … Ranked 4th in the MVFC in pass breakups (7) … Added 2.0 sacks, 5.5 tackles for loss, 2 fumble recoveries, 1 interception … Key part of a unit that ranked 7th in scoring defense and 6th in rushing defense … Had a season-high 12 tackles vs. Missouri State.
#96 DT Kam Bowdry, 6-2, 291, Sr., St. Louis, Mo. / UT Martin transfer
Started all 11 games … The team's top interior defender with 33 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, 2.0 sacks, 1 forced fumble … Key part of a unit that ranked 7th in scoring defense and 6th in rushing defense … Had at least two tackles in every game and season-high 6 tackles at North Dakota State.
#17 CB Mark Davis Jr., 6-2, 196, Jr., Bradenton, Fla. / Buffalo transfer
Started all 11 games … Tied with teammate DJ Johnson for 2nd in the MVFC in passes defended (10) … Tied for 3rd in the MVFC in interceptions (3) with picks vs. Northern Illinois, Youngstown State and South Dakota State … Added 30 tackles and a fumble recovery … Key part of a unit that ranked 7th in scoring defense and 6th in rushing defense.
#11 WR Vinson Davis III, 5-8, 168, Sr., Miramar, Fla. / Charleston Southern transfer
Played in all 11 games and ranked 10th in the MVFC in catches (47) with 572 yards and 2 TDs … Had a season-high 126 receiving yards and 1 TD at SEMO ... Caught season-high 9 passes vs. Missouri State … Had at least 2 catches in every game … Also returned 21 kickoffs for 438 yards and 20.86 average.
#9 CB DJ Johnson , 6-0, 171, Sr., Indianapolis, Ind. / Iowa transfer
Started all 11 games … Tied with teammate Mark Davis Jr. for 2nd in the MVFC in passes defended (10) … Recorded interceptions vs. Austin Peay and Murray State … Ranked 6th on the team in tackles (43) and had 6.0 tackles for loss … Key part of a unit that ranked 7th in scoring defense and 6th in rushing defense.
SIU's defense was strongly represented on the postseason award list, as the unit ranks among the Top 10 nationally in numerous statistical categories.
- 6th in points allowed (15.8 points/game)
- 3rd in yards allowed (281.4 yards/game)
- 5th in run defense (92.9 yards/game)
- 9th in sacks (3.00 sacks/game)
- 5th in pass efficiency defense (111.27)
Started all 11 games … Led the team and ranked 3rd in the MVFC in tackles (100) … Led the MVFC in Pass Breakups (10) … Ranked third in the MVFC in tackles for loss (12.0) … Had double-digit tackles in 5 games, including 15 at SEMO, for which he was named MVFC Defensive Player of the Week … Had 12 tackles twice (Northern Illinois, Indiana State) and 10 tackles twice (South Dakota State, South Dakota) … Leader of a unit that ranked 7th in scoring defense and 6th in rushing defense.
#12 LB Branson Combs, 6-3, 222, Jr., Evansville, Ind. / Reitz Memorial HS
Played in all 11 games … 2nd Team All-MVFC … Ranks 2nd on the team in tackles (76) … Ranked 4th in the MVFC in pass breakups (7) … Added 2.0 sacks, 5.5 tackles for loss, 2 fumble recoveries, 1 interception … Key part of a unit that ranked 7th in scoring defense and 6th in rushing defense … Had a season-high 12 tackles vs. Missouri State.
#96 DT Kam Bowdry, 6-2, 291, Sr., St. Louis, Mo. / UT Martin transfer
Started all 11 games … The team's top interior defender with 33 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, 2.0 sacks, 1 forced fumble … Key part of a unit that ranked 7th in scoring defense and 6th in rushing defense … Had at least two tackles in every game and season-high 6 tackles at North Dakota State.
#17 CB Mark Davis Jr., 6-2, 196, Jr., Bradenton, Fla. / Buffalo transfer
Started all 11 games … Tied with teammate DJ Johnson for 2nd in the MVFC in passes defended (10) … Tied for 3rd in the MVFC in interceptions (3) with picks vs. Northern Illinois, Youngstown State and South Dakota State … Added 30 tackles and a fumble recovery … Key part of a unit that ranked 7th in scoring defense and 6th in rushing defense.
#11 WR Vinson Davis III, 5-8, 168, Sr., Miramar, Fla. / Charleston Southern transfer
Played in all 11 games and ranked 10th in the MVFC in catches (47) with 572 yards and 2 TDs … Had a season-high 126 receiving yards and 1 TD at SEMO ... Caught season-high 9 passes vs. Missouri State … Had at least 2 catches in every game … Also returned 21 kickoffs for 438 yards and 20.86 average.
#9 CB DJ Johnson , 6-0, 171, Sr., Indianapolis, Ind. / Iowa transfer
Started all 11 games … Tied with teammate Mark Davis Jr. for 2nd in the MVFC in passes defended (10) … Recorded interceptions vs. Austin Peay and Murray State … Ranked 6th on the team in tackles (43) and had 6.0 tackles for loss … Key part of a unit that ranked 7th in scoring defense and 6th in rushing defense.
Players Mentioned
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