NAPERVILLE – The College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) announced Student-Athletes of the Week in football for the fifth week of the 2023 season on Monday afternoon.
 
Offense: Luke Lehnen, North Central
Now a two-time CCIW Student-Athlete of the Week in 2023, Lehnen was a force for #1 North Central as the Cardinals retained the Little Brass Bell Saturday in a 54-35 triumph at Wheaton. The junior from Chatham, Ill. directed NCC to 613 yards of total offense, including a career-best 170 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 13 attempts. He also rolled up 166 yards and a third score through the air on just five completions.
 
Defense: Zach McNees, Illinois Wesleyan
McNees, a junior, became just the eighth player in Division III this season to have at least 5.0 tackles for loss in a game, driving the Titans’ 45-17 win at Millikin. Two of the five stops were sacks for the Hillsboro, Mo. native, who also added a forced fumble.
 
Special Teams: Jacob Laurent, Carroll
Laurent narrowly missed a CCIW record on Saturday, successfully connecting on four field goal attempts for the Pioneers in their loss at Augustana. Laurent’s 44 yarder in the second quarter was a career long. The senior from Kenosha, Wis. is one of only four players to make four field goals in a Division III game in 2023 and was one successful kick shy of tying the CCIW single-game record of five set by Wheaton’s Bob Unruh in 1977.

2023 CCIW Football Student-Athletes of the Week
Offense
Oct. 2: Luke Lehnen, North Central
Sept. 25: Josh Raby, Carroll
Sept. 18: Luke Lehnen, North Central
Sept. 11: Cristian Carstens, Wheaton
Sept. 5: Matt Rush, WashU
 
Defense
Oct. 2: Zach McNees, Illinois Wesleyan
Sept. 25: Jaydin Miller, North Park
Sept. 18: Tim Swaney, Augustana
Sept. 11: Max Wilson, Wheaton
Sept. 5: Bryce Gable, Elmhurst
 
Special Teams
Oct. 2: Jacob Laurent, Carroll
Sept. 25: Sean Ryniec, North Central
Sept. 18: Mateo Jesch, Wheaton
Sept. 11: Seth Albin, Illinois Wesleyan
Sept. 5: Joren Clem, Augustana