Keene named MVFC Defensive Player of the Week

Posted on October 17, 2016

By ISU Sports Information

ST. LOUIS, Mo. – Playing against one of the highest-scoring offenses in the league, Illinois State junior defensive tackle Dalton Keene stepped up to help the Redbirds hold the Salukis back and record a much-needed win. For his efforts, Keene was named the Missouri Valley Football Conference Defensive Player of the Week Sunday by the league office.

The Jacksonville, Illinois, native finished with nine tackles and was credited with 1.5 sacks against the vaunted Saluki offense in ISU’s win at Hancock Stadium on Saturday. On one of those sacks, Keene forced a fumble by SIU quarterback Josh Straughan, which the SIU quarterback recovered. He also blocked a field goal in the game, the second time he’s done that in his career, to help the Redbirds keep the Salukis off the scoreboard at the time and give the Redbirds the advantage.

Through seven games this season, Keene ranks fifth on the team with 47 tackles and is second on the squad with 6.5 tackles-for-loss. He’s also been credited with 2.5 sacks and two pass breakups for the Redbirds in 2016.

Keene and the Redbirds (3-4, 1-3 MVFC) return to action Saturday, when they fly to Vermillion, South Dakota, to face the South Dakota Coyotes (3-3, 2-1 MVFC) at the DakotaDome. Kickoff is scheduled for 2 p.m., and the contest will be streamed live on ESPN3 as the Missouri Valley Football Conference Game of the Week.

Blogs

Labor Day – Expanding voting rights for all

By Mike Matejka Because of COVID, there is no Labor Day Parade this year. It’s always a great event for our everyday workers to march proudly down the street and enjoys the festive crowd. If there had been a parade, this year’s Labor Day theme was to be “150 years of struggle: your right to vote.” …

Is federal mobilization the answer?

By Mike Matejka As President Donald Trump threatens to send federal marshals into Chicago, over the objections of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, recall another Illinois Governor who protested the incursion of armed federal personnel into the city. Those federal troops, rather than calming, escalated the situation, leading to deaths and violence. Illinois poet Vachel Lindsay…

In these troubled times, to my fellow white Americans

By Mike Matejka Our nation is at a unique watershed in human relations. African-Americans have been killed too many times in the past before George Floyd, but the response to this man’s death is international and all-encompassing. I was a grade-schooler during the Civil Rights 1960s. I watched Birmingham demonstrators hosed and the Selma – Montgomery…

Workers’ Memorial Day – Remember those whose job took their life

Looking around our community, when we say employer, most will respond to State Farm, Country, or Illinois State University. We too often forget those who are building our roads, serving our food, or our public employees. COVID-19 has made us more aware of the risk. Going to work every day for some people means…