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Contact: Clark Teuscher, Sports Information Director, 630-637-5302
(article posted by Jeremy Rushing, Student Sports Information Assistant)

Sept. 23, 2013 - Sitting out for a whole season would cause some rust for almost any player in any sport, Spencer Stanek seems to be the exception.  After missing the entire 2011 campaign for the North Central College football team, Spencer Stanek came back to not only prove himself as the top quarterback on the Cardinals' depth chart, but also as one of the best in Division III.  Stanek led the CCIW in both passing yards (2,583) and total offensive yards (2,695). 

"I really focused on coming back the right way," said Stanek. "I think we really bonded as a team and that's what helped me get back to where I was." 
               
It's no surprise that Stanek has been involved in football for a long time.  "When I was really young my parents signed me up for flag football and I've loved the game ever since," he said.  A lot of kids play both ways in high school, but Stanek has always been the quarterback.  "I really never played any other positions in high school," explains Stanek.  "I'd play a little defensive back in camp (laughs)".
               
Stanek has played a vital role in the success of the Cardinal football program.  He held the backup role as a freshman in 2009, completing 11 of 13 passes for 172 yards and one touchdown.  He also ran for 77 yards and scored two TDs.  He started eight games his sophomore year, throwing for almost 1,300 yards and adding 11 touchdown passes.  The Mokena native helped lead North Central to the national quarterfinals for the first time.
               
This season, Stanek has helped the Cardinals surge to an early 2-0 record.  The offense has kickstarted into high gear, scoring 41 points in each of the first two games and racking up 1,258 yards of total offense.  Stanek has been the catalyst for a large majority of that offensive success, throwing for 608 yards with five TDs and no interceptions.  He also leads the team with 156 rushing yards. 

The Lincoln-Way East graduate attributes the offensive success to their new scheme.  "In the summer we kept stressing that we need to run as many plays as we can," he said.  "I think we've done that, and that's why we've been so successful."
               
Stanek has helped break two school records already this season.  In the opening victory at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, the Cardinals gained 674 yards of total offense, breaking the old record of 669.  In last weekend's victory over the University of Wisconsin-Stout, Stanek completed 24 of 26 passes, good for a completion percentage of 92.3%, breaking the old record of 87.5%.
               
Off the field, Stanek has been equally as impressive.  He's a three time Academic All-College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) recipient.  The finance major has a clear picture of what he wants to accomplish after he hears the final whistle this season.  "Hopefully I can get into financial planning, helping people plan for retirement and set up their 401ks," he said.  "Right out of college, I'm hoping to get an entry-level financial analyst job; that would be pretty cool."
               
Although Stanek knows what he wants for his future, his focus is strictly on the present.  That present being a great start to what hopes to be a promising senior season:  "My parents and coaches have always told me to taking everything one play at a time."