This Week in Saluki Athletics: December 1-7
12/01/2025 | 2:35:00 | General
CARBONDALE, Ill. – Thanksgiving Break has come and gone, but that did not slow things down in Southern Illinois athletics. Both basketball teams were in action three times last week, and awards for football and swim and dive came in. As for this upcoming week, track and field prepares to begin their indoor season.
Football
Following football's seasoning-ending win at Illinois State, two Salukis earned weekly awards from the Missouri Valley Football Conference. Kicker Paul Geelen was named the Special Teams Player of the Week after going 3-3 in the field goal department, with his longest coming from 48 yards out. Meanwhile, Noah Fenske was named the Offensive Lineman of the Week. Fenske posted a 94% grade against the Redbirds and did not allow a sack.
Then, the following day, quarterback DJ Williams was named a finalist for the 2025 Walter Payton Award, which is awarded to the FCS' national offensive player of the year.
Award season continued this Monday when the MVFC released its All-Conference Teams. One Saluki, cornerback Jeremiah McClendon landed on the All-MVFC First Team. Then, on the Second Team, was Fenske, Geelan, and linebacker Colin Bohanek. Finally, Williams, wide receiver Vinson Davis III, offensive lineman Cameron Dye, and defensive lineman Donnie Wingate were all honorable mentions. Williams also finished third in voting for the MVFC Offensive Player of the Year award.
Swim and Dive
The swim and dive team also brought in some awards last week. Olivia Herron was named the MVC Women's Swimmer of the Week for the fourth time this season after setting three new school records at the Mizzou Invite the prior week while also sitting top-25 nationally in the 100- and 200-breaststroke. Additionally, Willem Huggins was named the Men's Swimmer of the Week. At the Mizzou Invite, Huggins set conference records in the 200-backstroke and 200-freestyle and sit atop the conference leaderboard in those two events as well as the 100-backstroke.
Swim and dive is still off of competition until January 9 when the men's team visits Purdue.
Men's Basketball (4-4, 0-0)
It was a busy week for men's basketball, who saw action in three games.
On Monday, the team lost to UAB 81-73 to wrap up the Jacksonville Classic Presented by Just Play. Quel'Ron House led SIU in scoring with his 18 points, while Prince Aligbe and Davion Sykes joined him in double-digit scoring. Prince and Rolyns Aligbe tied for the team lead in rebounds with seven each.
The Salukis then made a stop at Memphis, where they fell 74-58. Jalen Haynes was the only Saluki to hit double-digit points this time, dropping 10 points. Rolyns Aligbe had a nice game across the board, scoring nine points, grabbing seven rebounds, putting up two blocks, and swiping one steal.
Southern got back to winning on Saturday when they hosted and defeated Arkansas Little Rock, 74-65. Drew Steffe led all players in points with 21 while Haynes dished out a team-high four assists. Steffe also had a nice defensive game, snagging three steals.
It is a much quieter week for men's basketball, who are only in action on Wednesday, Dec. 3, when they visit High Point at 6 p.m. (CST).
Women's Basketball (1-5, 0-0)
Women's basketball also had three games this past week, dropping all three.
On Tuesday, they participated in the Coast 2 Coast Music City Classic in Nashville, Tennessee, and lost to Winthrop 75-61. Alayna Kraus and Jeniah Thompson tied for the team lead in points with 13 each while Indya Green was close to a double-double with eight points and eight rebounds.
The Classic continued on Wednesday when SIU fell to Arkansas, 73-63. Kraus dropped a career-high 23 points to tie for the game lead while also collecting four assists and four rebounds. Green scored 14 points, and Kayla Cooper added 12 of her own.
The week concluded on Sunday with a 60-52 loss at home to Western Kentucky. Kraus once again led the charge offensively with 19 points, and Green was in double-digits again with 10. Assists wise, Tkiyah Nelson dished 10 out.
Two games await the Salukis this week. On Wednesday, Dec. 3, the team travels to UAB for a 11 a.m. game. Then, on Saturday, Dec. 6, the Salukis welcome SEMO to Carbondale for a 2 p.m. game.
Track and Field
Track and field kicks off their winter season this weekend with the Saluki Fast Start on Friday, Dec. 5, and Saturday, Dec. 6. Friday's events begin at 2 p.m. while Saturday begins at 9:30 a.m.
Follow the Salukis
Keep up with all the latest news and information on the Salukis by following the team on X at @SIUSalukis, on Instagram at @siusalukis, and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/SalukiAthletics/. Fans can also download the "Salukis" Mobile App on the App Store or Google Play Store.
Football
Following football's seasoning-ending win at Illinois State, two Salukis earned weekly awards from the Missouri Valley Football Conference. Kicker Paul Geelen was named the Special Teams Player of the Week after going 3-3 in the field goal department, with his longest coming from 48 yards out. Meanwhile, Noah Fenske was named the Offensive Lineman of the Week. Fenske posted a 94% grade against the Redbirds and did not allow a sack.
Then, the following day, quarterback DJ Williams was named a finalist for the 2025 Walter Payton Award, which is awarded to the FCS' national offensive player of the year.
Award season continued this Monday when the MVFC released its All-Conference Teams. One Saluki, cornerback Jeremiah McClendon landed on the All-MVFC First Team. Then, on the Second Team, was Fenske, Geelan, and linebacker Colin Bohanek. Finally, Williams, wide receiver Vinson Davis III, offensive lineman Cameron Dye, and defensive lineman Donnie Wingate were all honorable mentions. Williams also finished third in voting for the MVFC Offensive Player of the Year award.
Swim and Dive
The swim and dive team also brought in some awards last week. Olivia Herron was named the MVC Women's Swimmer of the Week for the fourth time this season after setting three new school records at the Mizzou Invite the prior week while also sitting top-25 nationally in the 100- and 200-breaststroke. Additionally, Willem Huggins was named the Men's Swimmer of the Week. At the Mizzou Invite, Huggins set conference records in the 200-backstroke and 200-freestyle and sit atop the conference leaderboard in those two events as well as the 100-backstroke.
Swim and dive is still off of competition until January 9 when the men's team visits Purdue.
Men's Basketball (4-4, 0-0)
It was a busy week for men's basketball, who saw action in three games.
On Monday, the team lost to UAB 81-73 to wrap up the Jacksonville Classic Presented by Just Play. Quel'Ron House led SIU in scoring with his 18 points, while Prince Aligbe and Davion Sykes joined him in double-digit scoring. Prince and Rolyns Aligbe tied for the team lead in rebounds with seven each.
The Salukis then made a stop at Memphis, where they fell 74-58. Jalen Haynes was the only Saluki to hit double-digit points this time, dropping 10 points. Rolyns Aligbe had a nice game across the board, scoring nine points, grabbing seven rebounds, putting up two blocks, and swiping one steal.
Southern got back to winning on Saturday when they hosted and defeated Arkansas Little Rock, 74-65. Drew Steffe led all players in points with 21 while Haynes dished out a team-high four assists. Steffe also had a nice defensive game, snagging three steals.
It is a much quieter week for men's basketball, who are only in action on Wednesday, Dec. 3, when they visit High Point at 6 p.m. (CST).
Women's Basketball (1-5, 0-0)
Women's basketball also had three games this past week, dropping all three.
On Tuesday, they participated in the Coast 2 Coast Music City Classic in Nashville, Tennessee, and lost to Winthrop 75-61. Alayna Kraus and Jeniah Thompson tied for the team lead in points with 13 each while Indya Green was close to a double-double with eight points and eight rebounds.
The Classic continued on Wednesday when SIU fell to Arkansas, 73-63. Kraus dropped a career-high 23 points to tie for the game lead while also collecting four assists and four rebounds. Green scored 14 points, and Kayla Cooper added 12 of her own.
The week concluded on Sunday with a 60-52 loss at home to Western Kentucky. Kraus once again led the charge offensively with 19 points, and Green was in double-digits again with 10. Assists wise, Tkiyah Nelson dished 10 out.
Two games await the Salukis this week. On Wednesday, Dec. 3, the team travels to UAB for a 11 a.m. game. Then, on Saturday, Dec. 6, the Salukis welcome SEMO to Carbondale for a 2 p.m. game.
Track and Field
Track and field kicks off their winter season this weekend with the Saluki Fast Start on Friday, Dec. 5, and Saturday, Dec. 6. Friday's events begin at 2 p.m. while Saturday begins at 9:30 a.m.
Follow the Salukis
Keep up with all the latest news and information on the Salukis by following the team on X at @SIUSalukis, on Instagram at @siusalukis, and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/SalukiAthletics/. Fans can also download the "Salukis" Mobile App on the App Store or Google Play Store.
Players Mentioned
QB
/ Football
F
/ Men's Basketball
F
/ Men's Basketball
LB
/ Football
G
/ Women's Basketball
WR
/ Football
OT
/ Football
C
/ Football
K/P
/ Football
F
/ Women's Basketball
Breast/IM
/ Swimming & Diving
G
/ Men's Basketball
/ Swimming & Diving
G
/ Women's Basketball
CB
/ Football
G
/ Women's Basketball
G
/ Men's Basketball
G
/ Men's Basketball
G
/ Women's Basketball
DE
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