NAPERVILLE – The College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) announced its Football Student-Athletes of the Week on Monday for games played during week four of the 2024 season.
 
Offense: Ben Bonga, Wheaton, Senior (Brentwood, Tenn.)
Bonga produced the highest receiving yardage total by a CCIW player this season with 10 grabs for 174 yards in the Thunder’s 22-10 league win at Carroll on Saturday. Five of his receptions went for longer than 10 yards and five of his catches also gave WC a first down.
 
Defense: Zach McNees, Illinois Wesleyan, Senior (Hillsboro, Mo.)
McNees logged 3.0 sacks for the Titans in their 35-0 victory over Carthage at Tucci Stadium. The result was IWU’s first shutout since 2022. The defensive lineman, who had the first 3.0-sack game in the league this season, made six tackles overall.
 
Special Teams: Breyden Smith, Augustana, Junior (Arlington Heights, Ill.)
Smith finished Saturday afternoon with 129 return yards in Augustana’s 24-20 win at Millikin. His 52-yard punt return for a touchdown with just 4:22 remaining in the fourth quarter proved to be the game-winning score. Smith also had a 46-yard kickoff return in the Vikings’ win.
 
2024 CCIW Football Student-Athletes of the Week
Offense
Sept. 30: Ben Bonga, Wheaton
Sept. 23: Dermot Smyth, Illinois Wesleyan
Sept. 16: Joe Sacco, North Central
 
Defense
Sept. 30: Zach McNees, Illinois Wesleyan
Sept. 23: Jaydin Miller, North Park
Sept. 16: Damon Loker, Carroll
 
Special Teams
Sept. 30: Breyden Smith, Augustana
Sept. 23: Carson Blatchford, North Park
Sept. 16: Noah Streveler, Carroll