NAPERVILLE --- As the 2025 CCIW football season reaches week five, the conference is shaping up as a battleground of high-powered offenses, stingy defenses and time-honored rivalries.
 
With North Central holding steady at the top and Wheaton and Illinois Wesleyan surging behind, every week brings standout individual performances and pivotal matchups that could define league standings. From special teams heroics to record-setting quarterbacks, this week’s notebook previews the stories, stats, and storylines driving the conference through its early-season stretch.
 
CARDINALS HOLD TOP SPOT; THUNDER RISE AGAIN IN FOOTBALL RANKINGS
North Central was a 44-14 winner at WashU on Saturday, allowing the Cardinals to keep hold of their top national ranking according to new polls released Sunday by D3football.com and Monday by the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA). Wheaton climbed to #14 in the D3football.com poll and #15 in the AFCA rankings after its 61-13 win over Carroll.
 
NCC’s place remained unchanged – 22 of 25 first-place votes from D3football.com voters and a unanimous #1 ranking from the coaches. The Cardinals gained 456 total yards in the road win and improved to 3-0 on the season.
 
Wheaton is up three spots in the D3football.com poll, collecting 272 points. The Thunder had 521 points in the AFCA poll, an increase of one position from a week ago.
 
Despite Saturday’s result, WashU continued to receive votes in the AFCA poll. The Bears, now 2-1, collected eight points.
 
CCIW NAMES SMYTH, MOORE, ELLISON FOOTBALL STUDENT-ATHLETES OF WEEK
Illinois Wesleyan’s Dermot Smyth, Wheaton’s Colin Moore, and North Central’s Aidan Ellison have been honored as the College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) Football Student-Athletes of the Week, following standout performances in their teams’ victories on Saturday.
 
Smyth, a junior from Chicago, piled up 322 yards of total offense to pilot the Titans to a 34-10 win at Carthage last Saturday. He went 14-for-28 for 229 yards and two scores through the air. He also provided 93 rushing yards on seven carries and a third IWU touchdown from 35 yards out.
 
Moore made six total tackles for the Thunder in Saturday’s victory against Carroll, including a game-high four solo tackles. The Wheaton native also had an interception in the first quarter, intercepting a third-down pass at the Pioneers’ 45-yard line and returned it four yards. Two plays later, the Thunder scored.
 
Ellison made the fifth (49 yards) and ninth (47 yards) longest field goals in North Central history to help the top-ranked Cardinals win at WashU last Saturday, 44-14. Ellison, a senior, also converted a 24-yard field goal to finish the game 3-for-3 on field goals and 5-for-5 on extra-point attempts.
 
NORTH CENTRAL’S ELLISON, NORTH PARK DUO LAND D3FOOTBALL.COM WEEKLY HONORS
North Central’s Aidan Ellison joined Ben Butler and Amare Johnson of North Park on the D3football.com Team of the Week on Monday night.
 
Butler returned a pair of blocked kicks all the way on Saturday for a total of eight points for North Park as the Vikings defeated Elmhurst 34-6. He took a blocked field goal 85 yards for a touchdown and ran back a blocked extra point, taking the ball the final 73 yards of an 80-yard return after it was lateraled to him. Butler also earned a “game ball” on the D3football.com Around the Nation podcast
 
Johnson broke up a pass and also blocked an extra point attempt that Ben Butler ended up returning more than 70 yards for a defensive two-point conversion. He also led North Park with seven tackles, three solo, and had a tackle for loss in the Vikings’ 34-6 win vs. Elmhurst.
 
STREAKING CARDINALS EYE LITTLE BRASS BELL SHOWDOWN
North Central won its 18th consecutive game last Saturday in St. Louis, posting a 44-14 win over WashU at Francis Olympic Field. The top-ranked Cardinals are 3-0 overall and one of three teams with a 2-0 CCIW mark.
 
The NCC attack is potent, ranking seventh nationally in scoring offense (50.3 points per game) and fourth nationally in total offense (571.0 yards per game) … Defensively, NCC is also dominant, holding the 12th national rank in total defense (208.3 yards allowed per game) and ranking second nationally in 3rd-down conversion defense (14.7%) … The Cardinals converted five out of five red zone chances against WashU.
 
Quarterback Garret Wilson is the CCIW leader in total 0ffense, accumulating 939 yards for an average of 313.0 yards per game through three contests. He also leads the CCIW in passing average per game (253.33) and ranks 12th nationally in passing efficiency (191.1) … Running back Donovan McNeal rushed for a career-high 107 yards and a touchdown on 13 carries against WashU. He currently leads the CCIW in rushing yards, tallying 239 yards on 7.83 yards per carry, eighth-most nationally … Wide receiver Thomas Skokna is a major scoring threat, ranking 16th nationally with five receiving touchdowns through three games. He leads NCC receivers with 267 yards, (89.0 yards per game) and caught a 45-yard pass from Wilson against WashU.
 
Cornerback Rahmareon Roby made an immediate impact against WashU, intercepting the first pass of the game and returning it 56 yards for a touchdown. Roby ranks 28th nationally in passes defended with four breakups and Saturday’s pick-six … Linebacker Matt Janiak was the leading tackler in the victory over WashU, recording 15 total stops, eight of which were unassisted … Defensive end Eli Renick was responsible for a crucial turnover against WashU, a strip-sack that resulted in a fumble recovery by Phillip Carlton Jr. late in the game. Renick currently ranks 55th nationally in forced fumbles (0.33 per game).
 
The Cardinals will now turn their attention to the Battle For the Little Brass Bell against rival #14/#15 Wheaton this Saturday. Kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. in Naperville. Wheaton leads the all-time series, 55-47-3, but the Cardinals have won four in a row since 2021, all by at least a 13-point margin.
 
THUNDER OFFENSE ERUPTS AHEAD OF NORTH CENTRAL CLASH
Wheaton scored 30 first-half points to set the tone for its 61-13 homecoming win over Carroll last Saturday at McCully Stadium. The victory, WC’s 10th in a row over the Pioneers, moved the Thunder to 2-1 overall and 2-0 in the league this season.
 
The Thunder rolled up 638 total yards (7.6 yards per play) against Carroll and now rank 16th nationally in total offense at 486.7 yards per game … Wheaton is eighth in Division III in scoring offense (46.7 points per game).
 
Quarterback Seamus O'Connell registered 274 passing yards against Carroll, completing 23 of 35 passes for two touchdowns. He also contributed to the ground game, carrying the ball eight times for 33 yards and scoring a three-yard rushing touchdown … Tight end Ben Juska hauled in a game-high 10 catches for 125 receiving yards against Carroll, with his longest reception being 31 yards … Wide receiver Seth Kortenhoeven is 29th nationally in receptions per game (7.00) and 100th nationally in receiving yards per game (77.7) through three games.
 
Linebacker Zeke Harris led the team in tackles against Carroll with nine, including eight assists and one solo tackle. Harris averaged  8.0 tackles per game in 2025 … Defensive back Colin Moore had an interception early in the game against Carroll and finished with six tackles and a tackle for loss.
 
Wheaton will aim to beat rival North Central in the Battle For the Little Brass Bell for the first time since 2019 when the Thunder travel to Naperville this Saturday night at 6 p.m. WC has won two of the last three on the road in rivalry since 2016.
 
TITANS BALANCE ATTACK IN 34-10 WIN, MOVE TO 2-0 IN CCIW
Illinois Wesleyan kept pace in the early-season CCIW race, running its league record to 2-0 with a 34-10 victory at Carthage last Saturday in Kenosha. The Titans are 2-1 overall.
 
The Titans’ 451 yards last Saturday against Carthage were balanced – 222 rushing yards and 229 passing yards. Across the season, IWU's offense ranks third in the CCIW in total offense (383.6 yards per game) and fourth in scoring offense (31.3 points per game). The IWU defense holds opponents to 263.3 yards per game of total defense, which is third best in the CCIW.
 
Quarterback Dermot Smyth totaled 229 passing yards and 93 rushing yards in the win over Carthage, contributing three total touchdowns (two passing, one rushing). He currently ranks second in the league in total offense (246.6 yards per game) and fourth in passing average per game (211.6) … Wide receiver Will Nazha led the Titans' receiving effort against Carthage, recording a game-high six catches for 93 yards and a score. Nazha is first among CCIW players in receiving yards per game (93.6) and second among league players in receptions per game (6.33) … Running back Danny Kent matched Smyth's team-leading 93 rushing yards against Carthage. He had a critical seven-yard run on fourth down early in the game to extend a scoring drive.
 
Defensive lineman Nathan Schmidt pressured the Firebirds throughout the contest, recording two tackles for loss and forcing a fumble during the contest. Schmidt ranks tied for third in the CCIW in sacks (0.67 per game) and leads the CCIW in fumbles forced (0.67 per game) … Linebacker Mo Khalil tied for the team lead with four tackles during the Carthage victory and was also credited with two tackles for loss ... Defensive back Sebastian Thomas made a significant play on special teams by recovering a forced fumble on a kickoff in the third quarter, setting the offense up for a field goal. Thomas also secured his first career interception in the fourth quarter and ranks tied for seventh in the CCIW in passes defended (1.00 per game).
 
IWU plays its second consecutive road contest this Saturday night at WashU at 6 p.m. The Titans are looking for their first win in the series since 2018 and have won four of seven in St. Louis since 1994.
 
AUGIE STRIKES EARLY, CRUISES TO 33-6 HOMECOMING WIN
Augustana returned to the win column on Saturday in Rock Island, scoring two touchdowns in the first six minutes of its eventual 33-6 homecoming win over Millikin. Augie is 2-1 overall and evened its CCIW record at 1-1.
 
The Vikings' offense generated 322 total yards in the victory, successfully converting all five of their red zone chances … Augustana's defense leads the conference in sacks with 10 total across three games, averaging 3.33 per game.
 
Quarterback Jimmy Makuh completed 20 of 25 pass attempts for 174 yards and one touchdown against Millikin. Makuh has compiled 734 total offense yards in 2025, averaging 244.6 yards per game – third-most in the CCIW … Running back Josh Lim was the leading rusher against MU, earning 71 yards on 11 attempts. He scored two touchdowns, including a 20-yard run in the third quarter … Wide receiver Ethan Vrabec added 58 receiving yards on four receptions in Saturday’s win, highlighted by a 35-yard reception that set up Augustana's second touchdown.
 
Defensive back Toby Splitt was the Vikings' leading tackler with 10. Splitt currently leads the CCIW in tackles, averaging 13.33 tackles per game. He also has one interception and two pass breakups across the season … Defensive lineman TJ Klein was a force against Millikin, sacking the quarterback twice for a loss of 19 yards. Klein ranks tied for ninth in the CCIW in sacks with 1.5 total sacks through three games.
 
The Vikings will take their first conference road trip of the 2025 campaign on Saturday, a 1 p.m. kickoff at North Park in Chicago. 
 
NPU DEFENSE, SPECIAL TEAMS FUEL 34-6 VICTORY
North Park never trailed in its 34-6 win over Elmhurst last Saturday night in its home opener in Chicago. The Vikings have now won five of their last six contests at the Holmgren Athletic Complex since the beginning of the 2024 season.
 
The Vikings' offense piled up 429 yards of total offense against the Bluejays, split between 240 rushing yards and 189 passing yards … North Park ranks fifth in the CCIW in scoring defense (15.6 points per game allowed) and sixth in total defense (329.67 yards per game allowed). NPU’s red-zone defense is strong, allowing scores on only five out of 11 opponent chances (45.4 percent), which leads the CCIW.
 
Sophomore running back Aidan Delisi led the North Park ground game against Elmhurst with 99 rushing yards and two touchdowns, including a 7-yard score in the fourth quarter. Delisi ranks sixth in the CCIW in rushing, averaging 62.3 yards per game … Junior wide receiver Jereme Ombogo is North Park's most productive overall receiving threat, ranking fifth in the league in yards per game (68.6). He is also ranked eighth in the conference in scoring with three touchdowns and has a punt return average of 17.5 – second in the CCIW.
 
Senior defensive back Ben Butler made an immediate and significant impact on special teams in the Elmhurst win, scooping up a blocked field goal and returning it 85 yards for a touchdown. Butler also scored a defensive two-point conversion by returning a blocked point-after attempt 80 yards and recorded one of North Park's two interceptions in the game … Linebacker Armando Martinez recorded one of the Vikings' interceptions against Elmhurst … Senior defensive lineman Isaac Chandler contributed a sack and consistent pressure on the quarterback during the win on Saturday.
 
Homecoming in Chicago is due up for NPU when the Vikings host Augustana this Saturday at 1 p.m.
 
MOORE, CARTER LEAD BEARS INTO SATURDAY NIGHT CLASH WITH IWU
WashU’s record is 2-1 overall and 1-1 in the league after last Saturday’s 44-14 setback versus #1 North Central.
 
For the season, WashU ranks fourth in the CCIW in scoring offense (34.6 points per game) and fourth in total offense (374.6 yards per game), but their red zone defense has allowed scores on all 10 opponent red zone chances.
 
Quarterback Levi Moore threw for 156 yards with two touchdowns against North Central. He’s fifth in the CCIW in total offense (236.3 yards per game) and sixth in passing yardage per game (169.0). He is also tied for the league lead with four rushing touchdowns … Wide receiver Makael Carter caught a 42-yard touchdown pass from Moore on Saturday. Carter is the CCIW's all-purpose yards leader, averaging 151.6 yards per game. He is also fourth in the league in receiving yards per game (71.6) … Running back Fred Ware was the leading rusher in the game against North Central, gaining 58 yards on 14 attempts. Ware is ninth in the CCIW in rushing with 59.0 yards per game.
 
Linebacker Joy Chane led the Bears' defense in the game against North Central, recording 10 total tackles (four solo) and snagging one of the three interceptions. Chane is tied for fourth in the CCIW in tackles (8.3 per game) and ranks tied for second in interceptions with two on the season … Senior Salomon Dessalines intercepted a pass in the first quarter Saturday and was also credited with a sack for a loss of 10 yards … Defensive back Ryan Schmadtke also had an interception and recorded five total tackles. Schmadtke ranks tied for fourth in passes defended (1.33 per game) and tied for second in interceptions (0.67 per game) in the CCIW.
 
The Bears will play their second consecutive home contest at Francis Olympic Field this Saturday under the lights at 6 p.m. against visiting Illinois Wesleyan. WashU is seeking its sixth straight win in the series.
 
MILLIKIN READIES FOR CARROLL IN DECATUR
Millikin suffered its first defeat of the 2025 season last Saturday in a 33-6 decision at Augustana. The Big Blue are 2-1 overall and one of four CCIW teams with a 1-1 league mark.
 
Through three contests, Millikin ranks fifth in the CCIW in total offense (341.0 yards per game) and is tied for sixth in scoring offense (20.3 points per game).
 
Quarterback Sylas Gomez finished the game against Augustana 20-for-27 passing for 171 yards. Gomez is ranked fourth in the CCIW in total offense (241.6 yards per game) and fifth in passing yards per game (207.0 … Running back Re'John Zeno scored the Big Blue's only touchdown against Augustana with a one-yard run after a 75-yard drive. Zeno leads the CCIW in scoring, logging seven touchdowns through three games. He’s also fifth in the league in rushing, averaging 64.3 yards per game … Wide receiver Kevin Louis pulled in five receptions for 61 yards against Augie. He ranks sixth in the CCIW in receiving yards per game (62.0) and is tied for seventh among league players in receptions per game (5.0).
 
Defensive gave the Big Blue eight solo tackles and one assist on Saturday … Linebacker Alex Araiza leads the CCIW in tackles for loss, averaging 1.67 per game across the three contests. Araiza recorded four tackles and 1.0 tackle for loss against Augustana … Defensive end Latrell Hannon tallied seven tackles against Augustana (seven solo, one assist) and was credited with one tackle for loss.
 
Millikin is back in Decatur this Saturday to host Carroll for homecoming at 1 p.m.
 
FIREBIRDS LOOK TO BOUNCE BACK AT ELMHURST
Carthage’s 34-10 loss to Illinois Wesleyan moved the Firebirds to 1-2 on the season and 0-2 in the league.
 
Running back Bryce Frank rushed seven times for 46 yards against Illinois Wesleyan, which included a 22-yard touchdown run in the third quarter. Frank is ranked second in the CCIW in rushing average per game at 78.0, and is tied for ninth in the conference in scoring with three touchdowns on the season … Running back Mark Hunter contributed 71 yards on eight carries against IWU, including a long rush of 33 yards … Quarterback Easton Heafner completed 14 passes for 87 yards against IWU. Heafner ranks sixth in the league in pass efficiency (110.58).
 
Defensive back Briton Stanton led the Firebirds in tackles on Saturday with eight. He’s now ranked fifth in the CCIW in tackles per game at 8.0 … Linebacker Ramon Campos pressured the IWU offense, recording 1.5 sacks. He is tied for third in the CCIW in sacks average per game (0.83) …  Defensive back Koen Abreu intercepted a pass and returned it 23 yards last weekend. He also tallied six tackles in the game against IWU.
 
The Firebirds visit Elmhurst this Saturday at 1 p.m. Carthage dropped last season’s matchup with the Bluejays, but has won eight of the last nine in the series and five in a row at Langhorst Field since 2015.
 
ELMHURST AIMS TO REBOUND AGAINST CARTHAGE ON HOMECOMING
Elmhurst played its second consecutive road game to begin the CCIW schedule last Saturday and dropped to 0-2 in conference play in a 34-6 defeat at North Park. The Bluejays are 1-2 overall.
 
Running back Jeffery Elms led the Elmhurst offense against North Park with 19 carries for 159 yards, including an 83-yard touchdown run in the second quarter. Through three games, Elms ranks third in the CCIW in rushing average per game (76.6) and is ninth in all-purpose yards at 90.0 yards per game … Quarterback John Odom is ranked sixth in the CCIW in total offense in 2025 with 226.0 yards per game. He is third in passing average per game (220.0 yards) … Wide receiver David Monteilh led the receiving corps in the matchup with NPU, catching four passes for 72 yards with a long grab of 31 yards.
 
Linebacker Malakai Correa was the leading tackler for the Bluejays against North Park, compiling 13 total tackles (nine solo, four assisted) along with an interception. Correa is tied for fifth in the league in interceptions per game (0.67) … Linebacker Jace Zeffiro is tied for sixth in total tackles in the CCIW, averaging 8.0 per game. Zeffiro forced a fumble in the second quarter against North Park … Defensive back Jonathan Wells secured an interception in the first quarter against North Park, which he returned 23 yards. Wells is the league leader in interceptions per game (1.00).
 
It will be homecoming at Langhorst Field when the Bluejays host Carthage at 1 p.m. EU will aim for consecutive wins in the series with the Firebirds since winning four in a row between 2011 and 2014.
 
CARROLL AIMS FOR FOURTH STRAIGHT WIN OVER MILLIKIN SATURDAY
Carroll played a CCIW opponent either ranked or receiving votes in the national poll for the second consecutive week last Saturday, dropping a 61-13 decision at Wheaton.
 
Wide receiver Mikey Coleman accumulated 159 all-purpose yards at Wheaton, including 90 receiving yards and 69 rushing yards. He scored Carroll's second touchdown on an 83-yard reception from Charlie King, marking the longest play of the season for Carroll … Quarterback Elisha Nieves is currently ranked ninth in the CCIW in total offense, averaging 102.3 yards per game … Senior running back Carson Crouch scored Carroll's first touchdown in the second half at Wheaton with a 30-yard pass reception from Nieves. Crouch contributed 33 receiving yards on two receptions.
 
Linebacker Evan Griffiths led the Pioneers' defense against Wheaton with 11 total tackles. Griffiths was also credited with forcing a fumble during the first quarter ... Defensive back Drake Emanuel helped the defense with nine total tackles against Wheaton … Defensive back Mychale Gary provided a spark for the Pioneers' defense in the second half when he intercepted a pass on the opening series. 
 
The Pioneers get Millikin this Saturday. The two squads will kickoff at 1 p.m. when CU seeks its fourth straight win in the series with the Big Blue.