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

CCIW Press Release

Nov. 18, 2013 - North Central College linebacker Nick Slezak and kicker Nick Dace have been selected as the College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) Football Players of the Week on defense and special teams, respectively, for the week of Nov.. 16. The CCIW announced this week's selections on Monday.

The two seniors were honored for helping lead the fourth-ranked Cardinals to a 53-14 victory over Augustana College on Saturday. With the win, North Central completed the third 10-0 regular season in the program's history and secured sole possession of its eighth straight CCIW Championship.

Slezak earned his second straight Player of the Week award after leading the Cardinals with eight tackles, including a career-high four tackles for loss, and scoring North Central's first defensive touchdown of the season on a 22-yard fumble return in the first period. He is North Central's leader in tackles (87), tackles for loss (17) and pass breakups (6) this season.

Dace connected on four field goal attempts on Saturday, eclipsing the North Central single-game record of three which he had shared. He also converted five extra-point attempts and averaged 54.2 yards on 10 kickoffs. The Cardinals' all-time leading scorer, Dace now has 364 career points and ranks second in the CCIW in field goals made (9) and points scored by kicking (80) this season.

North Central now has a total of 11 CCIW Player of the Week Awards this season. Quarterback Spencer Stanek became the conference's first five-time Player of the Week this season, while Shane Dierking and John Focosi were also honored on defense and Dace has now been selected twice.

North Central hosts Albion College (Mich.) in the first round of the NCAA Division III Football Championship on Saturday. Kickoff at Benedetti-Wehrli Stadium is scheduled for 12 p.m.  Links to live video, audio and in-game statistics can be accessed by clicking HERE.