FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Clark Teuscher, Sports Information Director, 630-637-5302

June 1, 2009 - North Central College football players Matt Wenger and Kyle Antos have been honored with selections to the Lindy's Sports Preseason All-NCAA Division III Team, with Wenger also being named the Preseason Division III Defensive Player of the Year. Wenger was also a Preseason All-America selection by The Sporting News.

Wenger was one of three linebackers to be selected to the Defensive First Team by Lindy's Sports, while Antos was one of five offensive linemen named to the Offensive Second Team. Wenger was also one of four linebackers named to The Sporting News' All-America Team.

Wenger was named a First Team All-College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin selection, as well as the CCIW's Defensive Player of the Year, in 2008 after leading the league in tackles (137) and interceptions (8), while also totaling 12.5 tackles for loss and 5.5 quarterback sacks. He was the CCIW's Defensive Player of the Week four times.

He was also named to the national 'Team of the Week' three times by D3football.com, which also selected him to its All-North Region First Team, and he was one of four linebackers named to the Coaches' All-America Team by the American Football Coaches Association.

Antos, a starter at right guard for the Cardinals last season, was a 2008 Second Team All-CCIW selection and a Second Team All-Region selection by D3football.com. He was part of an offensive line that was named to D3football.com's 'Team of the Week' twice.

Wenger's selection as Defensive Player of the Year made him one of four major honorees by Lindy's Sports. Christopher Newport University (Va.) running back Tunde Ogun was selected as the Preseason Division III Most Valuable Player, while Monmouth College (Ill.) quarterback Alex Tanney was named the Offensive Player of the Year and East Texas Baptist University running back Tan Stokes was selected the Newcomer of the Year.

Just two other CCIW representatives, Augustana College (Ill.) offensive lineman Blaine Westemeyer and Elmhurst College (Ill.) linebacker Randy Wright, were honored with Preseason All-America Selections by the two publications.

The Cardinals finished the 2008 season with an overall record of 11-1, advancing to the second round of the NCAA Division III playoffs and establishing a new school record for single-season victories. North Central posted a perfect 7-0 record to win its third straight CCIW Championship. The 2009 season begins Sept. 5, when the Cardinals travel to face Ohio Northern University.