CCIW Names Bazacas, Studebaker and Berry Football Players of the Week

NAPERVILLE, Ill. – Luke Bazacas and Andy Studebaker of Wheaton, and Mike Berry of Illinois Wesleyan were named College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin Football Players of the Week for their performances Saturday, Sept. 24.

Bazacas, a senior from Helena, Mont., helped lead Wheaton to a 48-7 victory against Hope on Saturday, running for a career-high 170 yards on 25 carries, averaging 6.8 yards per carry. The Thunder captain scored two second half touchdowns to help secure the victory for Wheaton.

Studebaker, a sophomore from Congerville, Ill., helped lead a solid effort by the Thunder defensive line against Hope. Wheaton tallied seven quarterback sacks in the win, including two sacks by Studebaker. Studebaker collected three tackles for lost yardage of -18 yards, including two quarterback sacks (-16 yards). He also forced a fumble and recovered it for the second consecutive game. Wheaton is 3-0 this season.

Berry, a junior from Crystal Lake, Ill., kicked two field goals and ran in a two-point conversion in IWU’s 20-13 win over the University of Chicago on Sept. 24. Berry hit second quarter field goals of 37 yards and 27 yards and his two-point conversion run in the fourth quarter put the Titans on top by seven. As a punter, Berry had seven boots for an average of 42.3 with a long punt of 49 yards and two punts landed inside the 20. Illinois Wesleyan is now 1-2 on the season.

CCIW football begins conference play on Saturday, October 1 as North Park travels to Augustana, while Millikin plays host to Carthage. Elmhurst is at home against Illinois Wesleyan, while Wheaton travels to North Central.

Offensive Player of the Week
Luke Bazacas- Wheaton (9/24/05)
Nate Chandler- Millikin (9/17/05)
Kam Kniss- North Central (9/10/05)
Mike Guzman- Augustana (9/3/05)

Defensive Player of the Week
Andy Studebaker- Wheaton (9/24/05)
Ward Brady- Elmhurst- (9/17/05)
Trey Andrew- Wheaton (9/10/05)
Joel Goldstone- Millikin (9/3/05)

Special Teams Player of the Week
Mike Berry- Illinois Wesleyan (9/24/05)
Brandon Watts- North Park (9/17/05)
Andrew Day- Wheaton (9/10/05)
Geoff Steele- Elmhurst (9/3/05)