Contact: Nicholas Osterloo, Director of Athletics Communication, 630-637-5324
D3football.com Team of the Week
Sept. 15, 2026 - Earning the first national weekly honor of his career, North Central College linebacker
Matt Janiak was selected to the D3football.com National Team of the Week for his performance in Saturday's 26-20 victory over No. 9-ranked Wartburg College.
Janiak stepped in front of a Wartburg pass on third down and returned the interception to the Knights' 13-yard line. Three plays later, Duke Guenther capped the drive with a touchdown run, giving the Cardinals a two-score advantage and helping secure the victory. Janiak also recorded five tackles in the contest, all of them solo stops.
A native of Plainfield, Ill., Janiak was named a D3football.com Preseason All-American heading into the 2026 campaign. Last season, he earned Second Team All-Region 5 honors after leading the Cardinals with 119 total tackles. Janiak joins kicker Sean Ryniec as the second North Central player to earn D3football.com Team of the Week recognition this season.
North Central opens CCIW play Saturday with a trip to North Park University. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. at the Holmgren Athletic Complex in Chicago.
