FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Clark Teuscher, Sports Information Director, 630-637-5302
CCIW Press Release
Nov. 11, 2013 - North Central College quarterback Spencer Stanek and linebacker Nick Slezak have been selected as the College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) Football Players of the Week on offense and defense, respectively, for the week of Nov.. 9. The CCIW announced this week's selections on Monday.
The two seniors were honored for helping lead the fourth-ranked Cardinals to a 35-16 victory at Wheaton College on Saturday. With the win, North Central clinched at least a share of its eighth straight CCIW championship and secured the CCIW's automatic bid to the NCAA Division III Football Championship. The Cardinals also reclaimed the Little Brass Bell, the traveling trophy between the two teams, after relinquishing it to the Thunder last year.
Stanek, the first CCIW player to receive five Player of the Week Awards since the institution of the award in 2000, completed 21 of 29 passes for 242 yards and a career-high five touchdowns, one short of the North Central single-game record. Currently ranked second nationally in passing efficiency (192.9) and completion percentage (.749), Stanek has now completed at least 70 percent of his passes in five straight games and has thrown for multiple touchdowns in his last eight outings.
Slezak is a Player of the Week honoree for the first time this season and gives the Cardinals three defensive winners this year, joining defensive back Shane Dierking and defensive lineman John Focosi. Slezak recorded a team-high 12 tackles at Wheaton, tying a career high with three tackles for loss and breaking up a pass. He is North Central's leader in tackles (79), tackles for loss (13) and pass breakups (6) this season.
North Central now has a total of nine CCIW Player of the Week Awards this season, as kicker Nick Dace has also been named the CCIW's Special Teams Player of the Week.
The Cardinals host Augustana College (5-4, 3-3 CCIW) on Saturday looking to claim the outright CCIW title and complete the third 10-0 regular season in the program's history. Kickoff at Benedetti-Wehrli Stadium is scheduled for 1 p.m., with Senior Day festivities to take place prior to game time. Links to live audio and in-game statistics can be accessed by clicking HERE.
