Illinois Wesleyan seniors Nick Nikolich and Chris Messina were honored as players of the week for football in the College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin on Oct. 5 for their play in the win vs. Carthage.

Nikolich, a linebacker from Libertyville, Ill. (HS), made a team-high eight tackles, including two for losses totaling -12 yards, in leading the Titan defense in the 42-16 win at Carthage on Oct. 3. The Red Men gained only 10 rushing yards and 183 total offensive yards on the day. Carthage came into the game ranked fifth nationally in passing yards (369.3 per game). One of Nikolich's tackles was a quarterback sack for -11 yards.

Messina, a wide receiver from Chicago, Ill. (Nazareth Academy), scooped up a blocked punt and returned it 16 yards for a touchdown on Carthage's first possession. Messina, who also had a special teams tackle, had scored on a 39-yard touchdown catch just 55 seconds into the game and his blocked punt return for a touchdown came merely one minute and 33 seconds later (2:28 into the contest).

North Central senior quarterback Aaron Fanthorpe was the CCIW offensive player of the week as he completed 12-of-19 passes for 229 yards and six touchdowns in a 58-0 victory at Millikin Saturday. Fanthorpe's six touchdown passes, five of which came in the first half, was a North Central single-game record. Fanthorpe, who shared the previous record of five TD passes, led the Cardinals' offense to its third straight game of at least 55 points.