CCIW Names Kniss, Smith and Denny Football Players of the Week

NAPERVILLE, Ill. – Kam Kniss and Mario Smith of North Central, and Matt Denny of Carthage were named College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin Football Players of the Week for their performances Saturday, Oct. 1.

Kniss, a junior from Lanark, Ill., finished the day 24 of 35 for 279 yards and four touchdowns in a 35-26 win over Wheaton. His four TDs tied the single-game mark also held by three other players. Kniss tossed scores of 10, 51 and 5 yards in the second half to rally North Central from a 20-7 halftime deficit. He had a 14-yard TD pass in the first half.

Smith, a senior from Chicago, Ill., had six tackles (two solo), two pass breakups and an interception in North Central’s 35-26 win over Wheaton. The 6-2 defensive back returned his interception 57 yards for a touchdown to give North Central a 28-20 fourth-quarter lead.

Denny, a sophomore from Griffith, Ind., booted two critical field goals in the Redmen’s 19-7 win at Millikin on Oct. 1. A 38-yarder put the Redmen up for good, 10-7, at 12:58 in the fourth quarter. Denny also added a 44-yard field goal at 7:54 to up the Redmen’s lead to 13-7.

CCIW football continues conference play next Saturday, October 8 as Augustana travels to Carthage and Elmhurst plays at North Park. Illinois Wesleyan will play host to North Central, while Millikin is on the road against Wheaton.


CCIW 2005 Football Players of the Week

Offensive Player of the Week
Kam Kniss- North Central (10/1/05)
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
Mario Smith- North Central (10/1/05)
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
Matt Denny- Carthage (10/1/05)
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)