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

2024 All-CCIW Football Teams

Nov. 18, 2024 - A fourth straight unbeaten finish in the College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) has resulted in a record-tying 19 All-Conference selections for the North Central College football team, as the Cardinals swept the CCIW's major individual awards for a third straight season.

The No. 1-ranked Cardinals defeated Illinois Wesleyan University, 42-20, Saturday to finish the regular season 10-0 overall and 9-0 in CCIW play. North Central won its 18th CCIW title and secured the conference's automatic bid to the Division III Football Championship. The Cardinals enter the postseason ranked first nationally in scoring offense (57.1 points per game), and North Central also leads the CCIW in scoring defense (11.1 points allowed per game), total offense (561.4 ypg), total defense (249.1 ypg), rushing offense (308.5 ypg), rushing defense (64.7 ypg), passing efficiency (197.9) and defensive passing efficiency (103.9).

Quarterback Luke Lehnen was named the CCIW Art Keller Offensive Student-Athlete of the Year for the second straight season, making him the sixth repeat winner of the award and a four-time All-CCIW honoree. Lehnen has completed 129 of 189 passes for 2,218 yards and 29 touchdowns while rushing for 720 yards and 12 scores, making him the CCIW leader in touchdowns rushing and passing. He has established a new all-divisions collegiate career record for touchdowns responsible for (196) and a new NCAA Division III record for career total offensive yards (14,686), and is on pace to set a new all-divisions career record for passing efficiency (211.8). A North Central player has won the award each of the last eight seasons and 17 times overall.

Defensive tackle John Sullivan has been voted a co-recipient of the Don Larson Defensive Student-Athlete of the Year award, marking the third straight year a Cardinal has been so honored and the ninth time overall. North Central's second-leading tackler with 46 total stops, Sullivan ranks fourth in the CCIW in quarterback sacks (5) and fifth in tackles for loss (12.5) for a defensive unit which allowed just 12 touchdowns in nine CCIW games.

Right guard Sam Pryor is this season's CCIW Offensive Line Student-Athlete of the Year, extending the Cardinals' streak to six straight years winning the award since its inception in 2018. Pryor is a four-time All-CCIW honoree and three-time First Team selection. North Central head coach Brad Spencer '04 was voted the CCIW Bob Reade Coach of the Year for the third straight season. Spencer is the second CCIW head coach to be so recognized three straight times and the first since the namesake of the award, Bob Reade, was selected five straight times for Augustana College from 1983-87. 

The CCIW recognizes First-Year Offensive and Defensive Student-Athletes of the Year for the second time this season. North Central running back Donovan McNeal is selected as this year's honoree on offense, becoming the first Cardinal to receive the distinction. McNeal ran for two touchdowns and 422 yards on just 37 carries (11.4 yards per carry), ranking third on the team and 12th in the conference in rushing yards. 

Joining Lehnen and Pryor on the First Team Offense are offensive lineman Jeske Maples and Ryan Kennelly and wide receiver Thomas Skokna, while additional First Team Defense selections are defensive lineman Cortez Jones, linebacker BJ Adamchik and defensive backs Brayden Garrigan, Zack Orr and Rahmareon Roby. Maples, the CCIW Offensive Line Student-Athlete of the Year winner in 2022 and 2023, is the third four-time First Team All-Conference honoree in the Cardinals' history.

Earning Second Team All-CCIW selections on offense are running back Joe Sacco, wide receiver Jack Rummell, tight end Bobby Behmer and offensive lineman Nick Fehrle. Behmer is also a recipient of the CCIW Elite 26 Award, presented to the student-athlete with the highest cumulative grade-point average from the first or second-place team in the conference standings, for the third straight year.

Making the All-CCIW Second Team Defense are defensive lineman Jacob Vincent, linebacker Angelo Cusumano and defensive back Jahmar Daniel, while wide receiver Jacob Paradee is a Second Team selection as a return specialist. 

The CCIW also announced the nine winners of its RESPECT Award for the season. RESPECT Award recipients have distinguished themselves as an integral member of the team, their institution and community by upholding the values of Responsibility, Enthusiasm, Service, Pride, Excellence, Collaboration and Trust. The RESPECT Award recognizes the intangible traits a student-athlete possesses that exemplify great character and encourages inclusiveness and a positive culture. North Central's RESPECT Award honoree is senior defensive back Will Vernon.

The Cardinals have received a bye to the second round of the 2024 Division III Football Championship and will host the winner of the first-round game between Pomona-Pitzer Colleges (California) and Whitworth University (Washington) at Benedetti-Wehrli Stadium Saturday, Nov. 30. Kickoff is set for 12:00 noon. 

COVERAGE NOTE: Beginning in 2024, all games from the first round through the semifinal round of the Division III Football Championship will be broadcast live exclusively on ESPN+. A subscription is required to view the broadcast. Visit plus.espn.com to learn about subscription options. 

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