Contact: Clark Teuscher, Sports Information Director, 630-637-5302
CCIW Week 6 Student-Athletes of the Week
Oct. 16, 2023 - North Central College wide receiver DeAngelo Hardy is the first back-to-back winner of College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) Football Student-Athletes of the Week honors in 2023, receiving the distinction on offense for the second straight game. The Cardinals have had at least one winner of the CCIW's weekly awards following each of their last five games.
Hardy caught three touchdown passes, covering 18, 67 and 72 yards, in Saturday's 75-3 victory at Millikin University as part of a five-catch, 174-yard effort, becoming just the second player in North Central's history to catch 50 career touchdown passes. In the Cardinals' last three contests, Hardy has caught 13 passes for an even 500 yards and seven touchdowns, and the senior now ranks first in the CCIW and third among all NCAA Division III players in touchdown receptions (12). Hardy also ranks second nationwide in yards per reception (27.0) and 13th in receiving yards (676).
This week's selection gives the Cardinals (6-0, 5-0 CCIW) at least one Student-Athlete of the Week winner for the fifth consecutive week. Kicker Sean Ryniec received the conference's honor on special teams following a 59-6 victory over Elmhurst University and Lehnen was so honored after North Central's 70-0 win over Carthage College and their 54-35 victory over Wheaton College. Hardy was joined on the CCIW's weekly honor roll last week by special teams honoree Joey Lombardi.
Still ranked No. 1 by D3football.com and the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA), North Central hosts Washington University in St. Louis (5-1, 4-1 CCIW) Saturday. Kickoff at Benedetti-Wehrli Stadium is set for 1:00 p.m. Click HERE for the full 2023 schedule and live coverage options.
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