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

Nov. 11, 2024 - North Central College quarterback Luke Lehnen has been recognized as the College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) Offensive Football Student-Athlete of the Week for the third time in 2024, receiving this week's honor after helping lead the Cardinals to a 70-7 Senior Day defeat of Elmhurst University.

Lehnen completed 15 of 16 passes for a season-high 347 yards and three touchdowns in the victory, North Central's 45th straight in the regular season and 41st consecutive in CCIW play. Lehnen also scored the game's first touchdown on a career-long 83-yard run, the sixth-longest in North Central history. The Cardinals scored on nine consecutive first-half possessions before the starters left the game and gained a season-high 708 yards of total offense.

Lehnen made history in the contest by establishing a new all-divisions collegiate career record for touchdowns responsible for (193), having run for 47 touchdowns and thrown for 146. The previous record of 190 was set by John Matocha of the Colorado School of Mines from 2019-2023. With 146 career touchdown passes, Lehnen also breaks the North Central career record for touchdown passes (145), set by 2019 Gagliardi Trophy winner Broc Rutter '20 from 2016-2019. Lehnen has gained 14,360 yards of total offense as a Cardinal, needing 209 to surpass the all-time Division III record of 14,568 set by two-time Gagliardi Trophy honoree Kevin Burke of the University of Mount Union (Ohio) from 2011-2014.

Lehnen was also recognized by the CCIW following victories over Wheaton College (55-27) and Augustana College (49-10). North Central has claimed seven total CCIW Student-Athlete of the Week awards this season. Running back Joe Sacco was so recognized on offense after a 48-21 win at Aurora University, while linebacker BJ Adamchik and kicker Sean Ryniec were selected on defense and special teams, respectively, following a 69-0 Homecoming victory over North Park University Oct. 19 and defensive tackle John Sullivan was the CCIW's pick last week following a 56-3 victory over Carroll University.

North Central (9-0, 8-0 CCIW) concludes the regular season Saturday at Illinois Wesleyan University (5-4, 5-3). Kickoff at Tucci Stadium is set for 1:00 p.m. Click HERE for the full 2024 schedule and live coverage options.

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