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

CCIW Week 3 Student-Athletes of the Week

Sept. 25, 2023 - North Central College kicker Sean Ryniec has been named the College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) Special Teams Student-Athlete of the Week for games played Sept. 23, becoming the second Cardinal in as many weeks to be so honored.

Ryniec was selected after contributing 11 points to North Central's 59-6 victory over Elmhurst University Saturday. The victory was the Cardinals' 24th straight over the Bluejays dating back to 1999 and extends North Central's current winning streak in CCIW contests to 26 straight games. The Cardinals have won 29 consecutive regular-season contests.

Ryniec connected on all eight extra-point attempts as well as a 28-yard field goal, his first as a collegian. Ryniec also shouldered the kickoff duties for the Cardinals, averaging 58.3 yards on nine kickoffs. Elmhurst did not register any kickoff return yards. Ryniec joins quarterback Luke Lehnen, honored last week on offense, among the CCIW's weekly award winners this season.

Thus far this season Ryniec has connected on 23 of 24 extra-point kicks and has averaged 57.5 yards on 27 kickoffs with two touchbacks.

Up next for the Cardinals is the annual Battle for the Little Brass Bell against Wheaton College, which is ranked eighth in the most recent American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) Top 25 Poll and 10th in the latest D3football.com Top 25 Poll. Saturday's game will take place at Wheaton's McCully Stadium, with kickoff set for 1:00 p.m. Click HERE for the full 2023 schedule and live coverage options.

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