Contact: Clark Teuscher, Sports Information Director, 630-637-5302
CCIW Week 9 Student-Athletes of the Week
Nov. 6, 2023 - North Central College has claimed two of the College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin's (CCIW) Football Student-Athlete of the Week honors following the Cardinals' win over Illinois Wesleyan University, as quarterback Luke Lehnen shares the award on offense and wide receiver/returner Joey Lombardi is this week's selection on special teams. North Central has claimed nine of the CCIW's weekly accolades this season.
Lehnen shares this week's offensive accolades with Washington University in St. Louis receiver Collin Goldberg. In the Cardinals' 83-26 victory over Illinois Wesleyan at Benedetti-Wehrli Stadium, Lehnen completed 13 of 15 passes for 291 yards and four touchdowns while also rushing for 65 yards and a touchdown on seven carries. The current NCAA all-divisions active leader in career passing efficiency (209.7) and this year's CCIW leader in passing touchdowns (30), Lehnen is now a three-time Student-Athlete of the Week this season after being so honored following wins over Carthage College (Sept. 16) and Wheaton College (Sept. 30).
Lombardi, also the CCIW Special Teams Student-Athlete of the Week after the Cardinals' win over Carroll University Oct. 7, was selected once again this week after returning Saturday's opening kickoff 97 yards to the end zone. One of only four NCAA Division III players with more than one kickoff return touchdown this season, Lombardi set a North Central record for the longest kickoff return with a 98-yard runback against Carroll.
The Cardinals (9-0, 8-0 CCIW) have claimed at least one Student-Athlete of the Week winner in seven of the last eight weeks. Receiver DeAngelo Hardy has been recognized twice on offense, while linebacker Zack Orr has been honored on defense and kicker Sean Ryniec has been selected on special teams.
Still ranked No. 1 by D3football.com and the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA), North Central closes the regular season at Augustana College (8-1, 7-1 CCIW) Saturday. Kickoff at Lindberg Stadium is set for 12:00 noon. Click HERE for the full 2023 schedule and live coverage options.
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