Secondary Contact: Alex Mielcarz, Athletics Communication Graduate Assistant, ajmieclarz@noctrl.edu
NAPERVILLE, Ill. (Nov. 9, 2026) – After a record-breaking day from Sean Ryniec and a career day from Kyler Green on the gridiron Saturday, the College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin named the duo as the Special Teams Student-Athlete of the Week and the Defensive Student-Athlete of the Week, respectively. Ryniec set a new program record for made PAT's after his 8-for-8 day, while Green forced a pair of turnovers and sacked the quarterback twice to lead the Cardinal defense.
This is Ryniec's fourth career weekly distinction and his second this year, while Green hauls in his first career weekly honor. The pair of awards mark weekly honors number four and five donned by the Cardinal football program this season.
Ryniec now stands alone atop the North Central record book as the kicker with the most career extra-point makes with 245 after going a perfect 8 of 8 against Millikin University on Saturday. He passed Nick Dace, who made 242 PATs from 2010-2013.
The senior was 2-of-3 on field goals in the contest as well, hitting from 46 and 39 yards. Between his eight extra points and two field goals, Ryniec was responsible for 14 of the Cardinals' 62 points. On the season, Ryniec is 43-45 on PATs and 12-13 on field goals, good enough for fifth in the nation in field goal percentage and 34th in the nation in total points scored (79).
The Downers Grove native also has the second-longest field goal in program history: nailing a 56-yard field goal in the season opener against Bethel just before halftime.
Green turned in what could arguably be the best performance of his Cardinal career. He racked up six tackles (four of which were solo) to go along with 2.5 tackles for loss and a pair of sacks. The senior recorded an interception which he returned 52 yards to set-up and Evan Keil touchdown run to along with a forced fumble that was recovered by teammate Matt Janiak.
The Brentwood, Texas native is third on the team in tackles (39), second in interceptions (two) and third in pass breakups (four).
North Central concludes the regular season on Saturday afternoon, when it hosts CCIW foe Illinois Wesleyan beginning at 12 p.m. inside Benedetti-Wehrli Stadium.
