Francis, Schofield named MVFC Players of the Week

Saturday, September 26

Murray, KY

6 PM

Southern Illinois University

3-2 , 1-0

Murray State

1-4 , 0-1

Team	1st	2nd	3rd	4th	Final F
Southern Ill.	6	23	7	10	46
Murray St.	6	0	0	0	6

Game Book

09/28/2026 | 3:00:00 | Football, General

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By: Todd Hefferman, SIUSalukis.com

ST. LOUIS - Southern Illinois University guard Kellen Francis and kicker Weston Schofield were named Missouri Valley Football Conference players of the week on Monday by the league.

Francis, a 6-foot-5, 320-pound junior, was named the league's offensive lineman of the week. Schofield, a 5-8, 155-pound true freshman, was the Valley Football special teams player of the week after hitting a school-record four field goals in the No. 21/25 Salukis' 46-6 win at Murray State.

Francis graded out at 95% at his position, the highest on the team, and had seven knockdown blocks. The transfer from Illinois did not allow a quarterback sack or a quarterback hurry in his fifth start of the season. No. 21/25 SIU (3-2, 1-0 MVFC) rushed for 230 yards and threw for 230 in the win Saturday. The Salukis scored on their first six possessions.

In his second career start, and fourth road game, Schofield connected from 29, 34, 27 and 36 yards, respectively, at Roy Stewart Stadium in Murray, Ky. Schofield also made 4 of 5 extra-point attempts.

A Saluki had made three field goals in a game 25 different times prior to Schofield's four on Saturday. Nico Gualdoni was the last Saluki kicker to hit three field goals in a game, converting from 39, 35 and 32 yards against Southeast Missouri State on Sept. 15, 2018, in a 48-44 loss.

Schofield's 36-yard field goal in the fourth quarter was his season long. He is 5 for 5 on field goal tries this season.

SIU hosts No. 8/10 Youngstown State (3-2, 1-0) Saturday at 4 p.m.

Single-game tickets and mini-plans available now: Single-game and two-game ticket multipacks for Saluki Football are available at the Saluki Ticket Office inside the Banterra Center or online. Fans can purchase tickets for the upcoming game against Youngstown State Oct. 3 at Saluk.is/siuvsysu. Multipacks are available at Saluk.is/fbminiplans.

Fans throughout the region will be recognized at the game Oct. 3 as part of Southern Illinois Day. This weekend's game is also Youth Day at Saluki Stadium. Fans can receive up to two free tickets for children ages 12 and under with the purchase of an adult ticket. To claim the complimentary Youth Day tickets, fans should first select an adult ticket. Before adding tickets to their cart, fans can then select up to two complimentary youth tickets. Youth Day is part of SIU Athletics' commitment to creating memorable game-day experiences for young fans and families while welcoming the next generation of Salukis to Saluki Stadium. Click here to purchase your Youth Day tickets.

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