This week’s Missouri Valley Football Performers of the Week include RB Javon Williams Jr., DL Blake Parzych, and PK Nico Gualdoni of Southern Illinois. The 24th-ranked Salukis beat No. 25 Southeast Missouri State on Friday, Oct. 30.
Offense: Javon Williams Jr.
Stats: 23 ATT, 135 YDS, 1 TD, 5.9 AVG (40 LNG)
Javon Williams Jr. helped ignite a Saluki offense that was struggling to move the ball against the #25 SEMO Redhawks. With the Salukis trailing 7-3 at the five-minute mark in the third quarter, Williams Jr. ripped off a 40-yard touchdown run to give Southern its first lead of the night. Later in the fourth, Williams Jr. took a SEMO punt 31 yards to the Redhawks 44-yard line which later helped set up an 18-yard strike from Kare Lyles to Avante Cox to put the Salukis up 17-14 with 8:42 to go. Williams Jr. finished the night with his seventh-career 100-yard rushing game, which ties him with 11th in school history. Additionally, his lone touchdown on the night brings his career total to 21, tying him for 10th in school history.
Defense: Blake Parzych
Stats: 9 TKL TOT, 5.0 TFL, 1.0/3 Sack/YDS
In his final game as a Saluki, Blake Parzych put together one of the strongest defensive games in Saluki Stadium history. Parzych racked up nine tackles, including five tackles for loss and a sack. The fifth-year senior does not plan to return to Southern in the spring. After the game, SIU head coach Nick Hill said, “Parzych was incredible. I gave him a game ball in the locker room. He’s an incredible student who has a bright future in the working world. He’s given this program everything he has.”
Special Teams: Nico Gualdoni
Stats: 2/2 FG (23, 27), 2/2 XP
Gualdoni played hero for the Salukis as the fifth-year senior drilled a 27-yard field goal as time expired to lift #24 Southern Illinois to a 20-17 victory over the #25 SEMO Redhawks on Friday night. Gualdoni finished the day a clean two-for-two on field goal attempts (23, 27) and extra points.
