Contact: Clark Teuscher, Sports Information Director, 630-637-5302
CCIW Press Release
Nov. 5, 2018 - North Central College cornerback Jake Beesley has been selected as the College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) Special Teams Football Player of the Week, giving the Cardinals their sixth such award this season and marking the third straight week that North Central has received one of the conference's weekly honors.
Beesley played a lead role in the Cardinals' 38-20 victory over then-No. 13-ranked Illinois Wesleyan University on Saturday, recording a career-high 10 tackles. He stopped two of the Titans' offensive possessions in the red zone, forcing a fumble near the goal line in the third period and intercepting a pass in the end zone late in the contest, his team-leading third interception of the year.
Beesley is North Central's second Defensive Player of the Week honoree this season, joining linebacker DJ Warkenthien, who was recognized following the Cardinals' Oct. 20 win at Carthage College. Quarterback Broc Rutter was named the CCIW's Offensive Player of the Week after wins over Lake Forest College (Sept. 8) and Washington University in St. Louis (Sept. 15), while kicker Derik Judka received Special Teams Player of the Week honors after wins over WashU and Elmhurst College (Oct. 27).
The Cardinals (8-1, 7-1 CCIW) conclude regular-season play on Saturday, hosting Millikin University at Benedetti-Wehrli Stadium. A win would guarantee North Central at least a share of a third straight CCIW Championship and the conference's automatic bid to the NCAA Division III Football Championship. Senior Day festivities will be observed prior to Saturday's 1:00 p.m. kickoff.
