This week’s Missouri Valley Football Conference players of the week include QB Sam Straub of Southern Illinois, LB Dallas Brown of South Dakota State, P/PK Miles Bergner of South Dakota and RB Joe Alessi of Youngstown State.

Offense
QB Sam Straub, Southern Illinois
6-4, 235, So., Ames (Iowa) High
Straub set a school record with 450 yards passing in SIU’s 44-34 comeback win over No. 23 Western Illinois. Straub went 30-for-51 and had four touchdown passes in the comeback win. After SIU trailed 31-14 early in the third quarter, Straub went 13-for-23 for 259 yards and two touchdowns the rest of the second half to lead the comeback. Straub’s 450 yards passing broke a 10-year-old school record and ranks as the ninth-most prolific passing game in MVFC history.

Defense
LB Dallas Brown, South Dakota State
5-11, 200, Sr., Tucson (Ariz.) Sabino High
Brown made a number of big defensive plays in South Dakota State’s 45-24 victory over Northern Iowa on Nov. 19. He was credited with seven tackles, including a sack, as well as a forced fumble. He also factored into a pair of key takeaways, intercepting a pass at the goal line late in the first half and applying pressure that led to a 65-yard interception return for touchdown by Kellen Soulek in the closing minutes. Brown’s interception was his team-leading third of the season.

Special Teams
P/PK Miles Bergner, South Dakota
6-0, 225, Sr., Longmont (Colo.) High
Bergner averaged 51.8 yards on six punts with a long of 65 Saturday in South Dakota’s game against North Dakota State Saturday. Bergner entered the weekend as the nation’s top punter with a 47.1-yard average and upped the mark to 47.5. He also set a USD career record with a 42.8-yard average. Bergner pinned two punts inside the 20 and netted 45.8 yards on the day.

Newcomer
RB Joe Alessi, Youngstown State
5-10, 190, RFr., North Lima (Ohio) South Range
Alessi had 190 yards on just seven carries and scored two touchdowns in the Penguins’ 65-20 win at Missouri State. On his first carry of the game he went 61 yards for a touchdown. On his second carry he went 75 for a score. He led the Penguins in rushing for the game and was a kickoff returner and was part of the punt team during the game.