CARBONDALE, Ill. – Southern Illinois preseason All-American safety PJ Jules was named the Missouri Valley Football Conference defensive player-of-the-week on Monday, following SIU’s 14-11 win at FBS Northern Illinois.

A senior from Orlando, Jules led the Salukis with 12 tackles, matching his career high. He added 2.5 tackles for loss and three pass breakups. Jules now has 21 career pass breakups and entered the top 10 in the category at SIU. His biggest breakup came on a crucial 4th-and-5 play at the SIU 47 with 7:58 remaining in the game. Jules deflected a Rocky Lombardi pass intended for Kacper Rutkiewicz that ended NIU’s drive.

Defensively, Southern allowed just 1.9 yards per rushing attempt in the game. The Salukis became the first FCS team to defeat an FBS opponent in the 2023 season.