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

CCIW Press Release

Oct. 29, 2012 - North Central College running back Nick Kukuc has been selected the College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) Offensive Football Player of the Week for Oct. 22-28.

Kukuc received the honor, his second of the season, after helping lead the Cardinals to a 52-0 victory over Illinois Wesleyan University on Saturday. Kukuc gained a season-high 131 rushing yards and scored two touchdowns on 13 carries, only one of which occurred in the second half. His 60-yard touchdown run on the second play from scrimmage is the Cardinals' longest running play of the season.

Kukuc has run for 876 yards and 12 touchdowns this season and has also caught 11 passes for 164 yards and one touchdown. He ranks second in the CCIW and 31st in the nation in rushing yards per game (109.5) and ranks second in Division III in yards per rushing attempt (8.5). He ranks second in North Central history in scoring (258) and third in rushing yards (3,155).

Kukuc's selection gives North Central six Player of the Week selections in 2012. Defensive back Shane Dierking and linebacker Joey Michals have been honored as the CCIW's Defensive Player of the Week, while kicker Nick Dace has been cited twice as the conference's Special Teams Player of the Week.

Currently ranked seventh by D3football.com and eighth by the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA), North Central (7-1, 5-0 CCIW) hosts Wheaton College on Saturday in the 64th annual Battle for the Little Brass Bell. Kickoff at Benedetti-Wehrli Stadium is scheduled for 1 p.m., with Senior Day festivities to be observed prior to game time. The game will be broadcast live on Naperville Community Television, Channel 17, and nctv17.com. LInks to live in-game audio and statistics can be found on the Cardinals' schedule page at northcentralcardinals.com/schedule.aspx?path=football.