CHICAGO – Senior linebacker Terry Elias Jr. (Monee, Ill./Crete-Monee) was named the Mid-States Football Association (MSFA) Midwest League Defensive Player of the Week for the No. 25 ranked Saint Xavier University football team (7-3, 3-1 MSFA Midwest) when the awards were announced by the league office Monday afternoon. His team-leading 11 tackles (three solos) helped the Cougars defeat Olivet Nazarene University, 21-14, (Ill.) in MSFA Midwest League action Saturday afternoon at Bruce R. Deaton Memorial Field in Chicago, Ill. It is the second time this season that Elias Jr. has won the award, having also won on September 29, and the fourth time overall in his career.

• Elias Jr. intercepted a pass on the first play of the game for ONU, returning the ball 16 yards. He also added 0.5 sacks for five yards.
• It was the eighth time this year that he finished a game with 10 or more tackles.
• In 10 games in 2025, Elias Jr. leads SXU with 103 stops (41 solos), as well as tackles for loss (TFL) for 43 yards and quarterback hurries with 10. He also has 3.0 sacks for 20 yards, four pass breakups, a forced fumble and an interception.
• He leads the MSFA in total tackles, assisted tackles with 62 and tackles per game at 10.3.
• Nationally, Elias Jr. is tied for No. 2 in assisted tackles, No. 5 in tackles per game and No. 5 in total tackles in the NAIA.

No. 25 Saint Xavier (7-3/3-1 MSFA Midwest) celebrates 'Senior Day' at Deaton Field on Saturday, November 15 before they take on No. 7 Marian University (Ind.) with a share of the MSFA Midwest League title on the line. The game is scheduled for a 12:00 pm start.