NAPERVILLE, Ill. - Junior Dermot Smyth (Chicago, Ill.-Marist) and sophomore Matt Worthington (Lake Zurich, Ill.-Lake Zurich) were recognized as the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin players of the week Monday, Oct. 20. Smyth was selected as the CCIW Offensive Player of the Week for the second time this season, while Worthington was tabbed the league's special teams player of the week.

The duo played pivotal roles in Illinois Wesleyan's, 42-27, win at Millikin, Oct. 18. With his second honor of the season, Smyth is the first Titan with multiple nods since Zach McNees was a two-time defensive player of the week in 2023. Additionally, this marks the first time Illinois Wesleyan has reeled in multiple offensive player awards in a season since 2019 (Hamid Bullie & Johnny Dicanio), while Smyth is the first multi-time award winner since Brandon Bauer in 2018. Worthington is the first IWU punter to receive a weekly CCIW award since Matthew Noguez did so Nov. 13, 2023. 

Smyth, who hauled in his third career conference award, used a career day to lead IWU to a victory in Decatur. Smyth completed 21-of-31 passes for a career-high 383 yards while tying his career-best with five touchdown passes. Smyth added 12 rushing yards, including a one-yard TD run. Smyth's 383 passing yards are the second-most in the CCIW this season, as well as the most in a conference contest this year. Meanwhile, his yardage is the most by a Titan since Brandon Bauer set the program's single-game record Nov. 10, 2018. Aided by the longest completion of his career, a 69-yard toss to Jimmy Deacy, Saturday's total marked his third straight 300-yard performance.

Worthington flipped the field to help keep IWU in control at Millikin, Oct. 18. The sophomore punted three times, averaging 50.7 yards per punt. He pinned the Big Blue inside their own 20 once and notched a career-long punt of 71 yards. Worthington's 71-yard boot is second-longest in the CCIW this season and ranks tied for fifth all-time in IWU history. His punt is the longest since Matt Kussmann's 73-yarder against Elmhurst Oct. 25, 2014 and is one of 21 punts of 70-or-more yards across Division III this season.

Illinois Wesleyan returns action to host North Park University Saturday, Oct. 18. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. at Tucci Stadium.

2025 CCIW Football Student-Athletes of the Week
Offensive
Oct. 20: Dermot Smyth, Illinois Wesleyan
Oct. 13: Thomas Skokna, North Central
Oct. 6: Fred Ware, WashU
Sept. 29: Dermot Smyth, Illinois Wesleyan
Sept. 22: Garret Wilson, North Central
Sept. 15: Jereme Ombogo, North Park

Defensive
Oct. 20: Toby Splitt, Augustana
Oct. 13: Brady WIllmer, WashU
Oct. 6: Bobby Medina, North Central
Sept. 29: Colin Moore, Wheaton
Sept. 22: Rex Kroger, Wheaton
Sept. 15: Alex Araiza, Millikin

Special Teams
Oct. 20: Matt Worthington, Illinois Wesleyan
Oct. 13: Matthew Swink, Carroll; Aidan Ellison, North Central
Oct. 6: Matias Adrogue, WashU
Sept. 29: Aidan Ellison, North Central
Sept. 22: Matthew Swink, Carroll
Sept. 15: Wesley McCloud, North Park