Redshirt freshman running back Connor Krisch (Joliet Catholic Academy/Plainfield, IL) and true freshman linebacker Drew Tondini (Morris H.S./Morris, IL) have each been awarded Player of the Week recognition from the Mid-States Football Association after leading University of St. Francis to a 19-0 shutout victory at Waldorf (IA) on Saturday afternoon.

Krisch was named the MSFA/Midwest League Offensive Player of the Week for the second time this season after rushing for an even 200 yards on 32 carries and scoring 3 touchdowns on a soggy and muddy field in Forest City, Iowa. Tondini led the Saints with 6 solo tackles, which included a tackle-for-loss, and spearheaded a USF defense that posted its first shutout since a 2008 season-opening 21-0 win over Valparaiso (IN).

Krisch topped the 200-yard mark for the second time in the last five games and became the first back in USF program history to run for 200 or more yards twice in his career. Krisch earlier rushed for 211 yards in USF's 51-6 win at Iowa Wesleyan on Sept. 26 and earned his first MSFA award that week. He now owns two of USF's top five individual rushing games in school history.

Tondini earned his first MSFA honor in his most extensive playing time of the season as he took the place of injured senior linebacker Dan Heimerdinger (Richards H.S./Oak Lawn, IL). All six of his tackles were solos.

The Saints have earned two MSFA/Midwest League POW awards after each of their three victories this season. Krisch and freshman placekicker Patrick Wright (Providence Catholic H.S./Lemont, IL) were honored after the Iowa Wesleyan win. Senior quarterback John Goolsby (Morris H.S./Morris, IL) and sophomore defensive back Wayne Johnson (York H.S./McConnells, SC) were cited after the Saints defeated Olivet Nazarene, 62-20, on Oct. 24.

The Saints (3-6, 2-3) travel to Quincy (2-7, 1-4) for an MSFA/Midwest League game on Saturday. Kickoff is slated for Noon.