Wide receiver Avante Cox named MVFC Newcomer of the Week

CARBONDALE - Southern Illinois wide receiver Avante Cox was named the Missouri Valley Football Conference Newcomer of the Week, the league office announced on Sunday night.

The Wyoming transfer and Rochester High School grad caught seven passes for 142 yards and a touchdown in SIU's 41-28 loss to FBS Arkansas State. It was the most receiving yards by a Saluki wide receiver versus an FBS opponent since Brent Little had 152 yards at Western Michigan in 2005.

On Southern's first play from scrimmage, Cox hauled in a 62-yard pass down the left sideline that set up a Javon Williams Jr. touchdown run to tie the game, 7-7. Later in the first quarter, he caught a 26-yard pass down the right sideline for a touchdown that tied the score, 14-14. After catching two passes in SIU's first two games, Cox has 10 catches in the last two contests.