Contact: Clark Teuscher, Sports Information Director, 630-637-5302
Oct. 7, 2024 - North Central College quarterback Luke Lehnen has been named the College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) Offensive Student-Athlete of the Week for his performance in Saturday's victory at Wheaton College, earning the distinction for the sixth time in his collegiate career. The CCIW announced this week's selections Monday.
Lehnen was selected after helping lead the No. 1-ranked Cardinals to a 55-27 victory at then-No. 18/23 Wheaton Saturday, which was North Central's fourth straight win over the Thunder and its 40th straight in regular-season play. Lehnen gained a game-high 146 rushing yards on 10 attempts and tied a single-game career high with three rushing touchdowns, while also completing 10 of 16 passes for 142 yards and two scores.
The 2023 CCIW Offensive Student-Athlete of the Year, D3football.com National and North Region Offensive Player of the Year and Gagliardi Trophy honoree, Lehnen extended his current all-divisions NCAA record for consecutive games with a touchdown pass to 48, encompassing his entire collegiate career. The graduate student is also the NCAA Division III active leader in total offensive yards (12,914) and touchdown passes (128) and the all-divisions active leader in passing efficiency (208.3).
Lehnen was recognized with one of the CCIW's weekly awards three times in 2023 and once each in 2021 and 2022, making him the third Cardinal alongside kicker Nick Dace (2010-2013) and quarterback Broc Rutter (2016-2019) to earn a Student-Athlete of the Week award in four straight seasons.
The Cardinals have earned two of the four CCIW Offensive Student-Athlete of the Week awards this season. Running back Joe Sacco was so honored following a season-opening 48-21 victory at then-No. 13-ranked Aurora University Sept. 14.
North Central (4-0, 3-0 CCIW) travels to face Millikin University (0-4, 0-3) Saturday. Kickoff at Frank M. Lindsay Field is set for 1:00 p.m. Click HERE for the full 2024 schedule and live coverage options.
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