Xavier Silas has been named MAC West Player of the Week following 22 and 34-point performances against Bradley and Cardinal Stritch, respectively. The senior guard on the NIU men’s basketball team shot 64.3 percent from the field while sinking all 12 of his free throw attempts on the week. Dating back to last season, Silas has converted his last 38 attempts from the line. Monday marked the third time Silas has garnered the POTW distinction in his career.

By blocking two punts in the NIU football team’s 59-21 victory over Ball State on Saturday, junior linebacker Jordan Delegal earned MAC West Special Teams Player of the Week honors Monday. After Delegal’s first punt block, freshman Jimmie Ward picked the ball up and took it 15 yards for a score. In the third quarter, Delegal set up an NIU field goal with his second punt block on the day. The junior linebacker also made five tackles and recovered a fumble to go along with his special teams heroics. This is the ninth straight week an NIU football player has garnered POTW honors.

For the first time in her career, NIU women’s soccer defender Mo Smunt has been named to the All-MAC first team. The senior started all 19 games for the Huskies in 2010, while knocking in one goal and assisting on another. Announced earlier this month, Smunt became the first Huskie named to the first team since Renay DeNicolo garnered the distinction in 1999. 14 Huskies have been named to the All-MAC team in the program’s history.