2017 Illinois Wesleyan Football Statistics

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. – Senior linebacker Jordan Hassan was elected as the defensive "Most Valuable Player" while sophomore quarterback Brandon Bauer was chosen as the offensive MVP for the 2017 Illinois Wesleyan league championship football team.

The Titans finished with a 9-2 record, were 7-1 in sharing the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin title and played in the NCAA Division III football playoffs.

Hassan (Wheaton, Ill., Glenbard West HS) also won the team's "Most Improved Player" and "Best Big Skill" awards. The D3football.com North Region Defensive Player of the Year as well as the CCIW's defensive player of the year, Hassan made 108 total tackles, 76 of them solo. The 76 solo tackles broke the school's single-season record of 72 set by Sean Garvey in 2014.
Hassan had 11 tackles for loss and five and a half sacks in the regular season, including three tackles for loss among 14 total tackles in a 14-10 win at Wheaton.

Bauer (Frankfort, Ill., Lincoln-Way East HS) completed 175 of 303 passes for 2.066 yards and 22 touchdowns. The 175 completions and TD total are eighth best in an IWU season and the yardage is good for 13th most. After two seasons, his .585 career completion percentage is fifth best in an IWU uniform.

Junior running back Morgan Alexander (Elmhurst, Ill.. York HS) was the winner of the "Best Skill" honor as set the single-season rushing attempts record (247) and ran for 1,083 yards, the second-most in a single-season at Illinois Wesleyan, behind the record of 1,143 by Maurice Shoemaker-Gilmore in 2016.

Linebacker Keenan Scott (Riverside, Ill., Riverside-Brookfield HS) earned "Most Valuable Freshman" honor along with the "Best Defensive Junior Varsity Player" award. Scott finished with 13 total tackles, including 10 solo.

Senior tight end Andrew Apel (Arlington Heights, Ill., Buffalo Grove HS) was the winner of the squad's "Doug Schmied Award", voted on by the coaches for loyalty, leadership, citizenship, most sports- and team-minded and attitude. The honor is named for Schmied, the IWU senior offensive lineman who passed away in 2005.

Other team award winners were:

BEST LINEMAN – Justin Krzeczkowski, senior, defensive line (Lockport, Ill., Lockport HS)
BEST SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYERS (tie) – James Burnell, senior, long snapper (Speedway, Ind., Speedway HS); David Lux, sophomore, linebacker (Tinley Park, Ill., Lincoln-Way North HS)
OFFENSIVE JUNIOR VARSITY PLAYER – Bryce Dooley, freshman, running back (LeRoy, Ill., LeRoy HS)

Head coach Norm Eash, who has a 31-year record of 200-103-1 and a CCIW mark of 142-81-1, awarded letters to a total of 64 players, including 43 who will return for next season. Go here for the complete list of 2017 football lettermen.