CCIW Names Chandler, Brady and Watts Football Players of the Week

NAPERVILLE, Ill. – Nate Chandler of Millikin, Ward Brady of Elmhurst and Brandon Watts of North Park were named College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin Football Players of the Week for their performances Saturday, Sept. 17.

Chandler, a senior from Maroa, Ill., set a new school record for receiving yards in a game (274) and caught touchdown passes of 87, 68 and 86 yards respectively. His 87-yard catch ended up being the game-winner in Millikin’s 31-24 victory at Franklin (Ind.). The game was by far the best performance of his career, after missing most of the 2004 season with a knee injury. His previous single-game high receiving was 167 yards in 2003. He finished the game with six catches for 274 yards and three touchdowns while returning three kickoffs for 86 yards with a long run of 52. With the win, Millikin moved to 2-0.

Brady, a junior from Bartlett, Ill., led Elmhurst’s defense with 11 tackles (6 solo, 5 assists) including five tackles for a combined loss of 30 yards in the team’s 21-17 win over Chicago. Brady also recorded three sacks that resulted in a combined loss of 27 yards. The Bluejays improved to 3-0 on the season.

Watts continued his stellar season for the surprising 3-0 North Park Vikings. In his team’s 34-6 win over Eureka Saturday, Watts, a junior from Barrington, Ill., had three punts for 119 yards, an average of 39.7, with a long of 54 yards. Two of Watts’ punts landed inside the 20 yard line. North Park is off to its first 3-0 start since 1971.

CCIW football teams wrap up the non-conference season next Saturday, Sept. 24, when Wisconsin-Platteville visits Augustana, and the University of Chicago travels to Illinois Wesleyan. Millikin will play host to Albion, while Wheaton entertains Hope. North Central will travel to St. Louis, Mo., to face Washington University.

Offensive Player of the Week
Nate Chandler- Millikin (9/17/05)
Kam Kniss- North Central (9/10/05)
Mike Guzman- Augustana (9/3/05)

Defensive Player of the Week
Ward Brady- Elmhurst- (9/17/05)
Trey Andrew- Wheaton (9/10/05)
Joel Goldstone- Millikin (9/3/05)

Special Teams Player of the Week
Brandon Watts- North Park (9/17/05)
Andrew Day- Wheaton (9/10/05)
Geoff Steele- Elmhurst (9/3/05)