Western Illinois football continues to see its gifted athletes gain accolades for their season performance on the gridiron, as two Leathernecks have now earned major props from a major agency.

Darius Joiner and Dennis Houston were named to the 2021 Associated Press FCS All-America Team, announced on Tuesday (Dec. 14). Joiner landed on the first team for defense while Houston snagged a third-team spot on offense.

The two are Western's first players to earn AP All-America honors since 2018 when Khalen Saunders (second team) and Pete Swenson (third team) were placed on the list.

In his first year wearing the Purple and Gold, Joiner made an immediate impact as one of the nation's best defenders. Finishing sixth in voting as a Buck Buchanan Award Finalist, he currently led the FCS in total tackles (142) and solo tackles (79). For his efforts in a 23-tackle performance, which ranks sixth-best in program history for a single game, Joiner was subsequently tabbed the Missouri Valley Football Conference (MVFC) Defensive Player of the Week (Sept. 26) and FCS Stats Perform National Defensive Player of the Week (Sept. 27). The Roanoke, Alabama native registered double-figures in tackles in all but two of the Leathernecks' 11 games. Seven different showings saw him make 12 or more tackles.

Returning as a major offensive threat, Houston ended as the FCS leader in receptions per game (8.5) for the fall campaign. He also led the MVFC in that same category and total receptions. The savvy senior opened the year with an absolute bang -- posting a new career-high in receiving yards (237) during the season opener at Ball State (Sept. 2). Houston collected seven showings of seven or more receptions, ending the season with 1,015 receiving yards and six touchdown receptions. On his 'Senior Day' (Nov. 6), he became the program's new record holder in season receptions (ended the year with 90). His longest rush was a 53-yard touchdown in WIU's home opener versus Eastern Washington (Sept. 18).