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

CCIW Press Release

Oct. 10, 2011 - North Central College football players Mike Boettcher and Caleb Bednarz have been named the College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) Players of the Week on offense and special teams, respectively, for the week of Oct. 15.

The pair were recognized for their efforts in the Cardinals' 61-14 victory at Millikin University on Saturday, which raised North Central's season record to 5-1 overall and 3-0 within the CCIW. Boettcher, a running back, gained a career-high 186 rushing yards on just 15 carries and tied a single-game school record with four rushing touchdowns. Bednarz, a defensive back and kick returner, returned a punt 80 yards for a touchdown, completing the second-longest punt return in school history and recording his second punt return TD of the season.

The Cardinals now have a total of six CCIW Player of the Week selections this season. Punter Tyler Rasche was selected the conference's Special Teams Player of the Week after North Central's 24-3 victory over Augustana College on Oct. 8, while defensive ends Willie Hayes and Valente Garza have earned CCIW Defensive Player of the Week honors as well. Bednarz is the Cardinals' first two-time honoree this season, having also been named the Special Teams Player of the Week after a 86-14 win over Olivet College on Sept. 17.

The sixth-ranked Cardinals travel to face 13th-ranked Illinois Wesleyan University (6-0, 3-0 CCIW) on Saturday in a battle for first place in the CCIW standings. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m.