This week's Missouri Valley Football Conference players of the week are RB Deji Karim of Southern Illinois, S Lance Caldwell of Southern Illinois, and PK Zach Kutch of Illinois State.  Kutch set a league record with six field goals in ISU's 25-7 win against Western Illinois.  SIU, meanwhile, became the first league team to ever win at South Dakota State, and with the win secured at least a share of the league title and an automatic berth into the FCS playoffs.  The offensive lineman is David Arkin of Missouri State.

Offense
RB Deji Karim, Southern Illinois, Sr., 5-11, 200, Oklahoma City, Okla.
 Karim became the first all season to rush for over 100 yards against South Dakota State, as he had 127 yards on 21 carries in SIU's 34-15 victory.  He averaged 6.0 yards per carry and had long runs of 27 and 41 yards. The Jackrabbits came into the game only allowing 89 rushing yards a game, but behind Karim the Salukis marched to the tune of 280 yards on the ground.  He went over 1,500 career yards rushing in the game, as he became the 19th Saluki ever to do so.

Defense
S Lance Caldwell, Southern Illinois, Sr., 6-1, 215, Detroit (MI) Bishop Gallagher
 Caldwell accounted for both of SIU's interceptions in the 34-15 win at South Dakota State on Saturday. His first one came late in the second quarter and he was able to return it 75 yards for a TD. It was the fifth-longest interception return for a scored in Saluki history. Caldwell's second interception came in the third quarter when SDSU had the ball in the red zone. On a fourth-and-five at the SIU nine, Caldwell picked off Thomas O'Brien in the end zone to keep the Jacks off the scoreboard. Caldwell's interceptions extended SIU's streak to 10-straight games with at least on pick.

Special Teams
PK Zach Kutch, Illinois State, 5-9, 175, Sr., Milton (Fla.) Auburn
 Kutch set a school and conference record with six field goals made in Illinois State 25-7 win over Western Illinois.  The Milton, Fla., broke the school record (4) and league record (5) with those six field goals, which included a career-long 48-yarder in the second quarter.  Three of Kutch's field goals were 40 yards or longer (48, 40, 45) and four out of the six were made in the third quarter.  Kutch's only blemish on the day was a 42-yarder that was blocked in the second quarter, as he finished 6-for-7 overall in the contest.

Offensive Lineman
OG David Arkin, Missouri State, 6-5, 298, Jr., Wichita, Kan.
   Because of injuries on the Missouri State offensive line, David Arkin moved from his usual spot at right guard -- where he had started the previous 31 straight games -- to his first-ever start at left tackle in Saturday's 31-7 win over Indiana State.  He graded out at an amazing 87-percent in the game despite the change in assignment, and recorded six knockdown blocks while helping the Bears secure their fourth winning season this decade.  Arkin and company helped the MSU running backs average 5.3 yards per carry, while the offense averaged 5.6 yards per play overall. Arkin was announced last week as a CoSIDA Academic All-District selection and finalist for Academic All-America honors with his 3.70 Grade Point Average in Construction Management.

OTHER TOP PEFORMERS

Offense
 RB Carlos Anderson, UNI -- career-high 113 rush yards, 12-yard TD run in 28-7 win vs. YSU.
 RB Chris Douglas, MSU -- career-high 72 yards, 2 touchdowns, one catch for 8 yards
 WR Glen Fox, SDSU -- career-high 12 catches for 101 yards -- both game-highs -- against SIU.
 RB Cliffton Gordon, ILS -- 106 yards, one-yard TD run against Western Illinois.
 WR Lilo Senatus, WIU -- eight catches for 83 yards and a TD against Illinois State.
 QB Brandon Summers, YSU -- 22-of-31 for 164 yards and a TD, also rushed for 26 yards.

Defense
 DL Eric Brunner, ILS -- Career-high 9 tackles (4 solos).  Tied career high with 1.5 TFLs vs. WIU.
 LB Kyle Glazier, WIU -- Had 13 tackles (6 solos), 1 TFL (2 yards) and two QB hurries at Illinois St.
 LB Jamar Thompson, UNI -- game-high 12 tackles (5 solos).  1/2 TFL and an INT vs. YSU.
 LB Antoine Wilkinson, MSU -- game-high 13 tackles, 1 interception, 1 TFL against Indiana State
 LB Austen Wozniak, INS -- Team-high 11 tackles (7 solos) -- both career highs.  2 sacks (11 yds)

Special Teams
 RS Carlos Anderson, UNI -- 204 all-purpose (two KO returns, 91 yards), 48-yarder set up a TD.
 PK Matt Hottelman, MSU -- 27-yard FG, 4-of-4 PATs, 62.0 yards per kickoff, 2 touchbacks.
 PK Kyle Dougherty, SIU -- two FGs (49, 22) in the 34-15 win against South Dakota State.