September 6 - (Co-players)
Justin Zigler - Linebacker - Monmouth
Senior - Prophetstown, Ill./Prophetstown
Zigler became the Scots all-time leading tackler during Saturday’s 40-26 win over Concordia (WI). The senior registered 15 tackles to up his career total to 261. The 6’1” 230 pounder also made two tackles for losses, forced a fumble and recovered a fumble.
Matt Briggs - Defensive Back - Knox
Senior - Bartonville, Ill./Limestone
Briggs helped Knox to a 1-0 start in conference play during a 21-14 win over Lawrence. The senior defender tallied seventackles, 1.5 tackles for losses and a half sack. He also deflected two passes, before notching an interception that led to the Prairie Fire’s second score of the game.
September 12
John Shelley - Defensive Back - Carroll
Senior - Wadsworth, Ill./Carmel
Shelley was one of the leaders during a dominant defensive effort by the Pioneers during a 31-0 win over Knox on Saturday. Shelley made five tackles and also defended a pair of passes, as the defense held Knox to 23 yards passing. The shutout was the first for Carroll since they defeated Lake Forest College 10-0 in the final game of the 2000 season.
September 19
Ryan Gallegos - Linebacker - Lake Forest
Junior - Plantation, Fla./St. Thomas
Gallegos continues to anchor one of the nation’s top defenses. Gallegos tallied 13 tackles, recovered a fumble and intercepted a pass as the Foresters ran their record to 3-0 during a 28-12 win over Beloit. Gallegos made one tackle for a loss and also defended a pass during the contest.
September 26
Joe Austin - Safety - Lawrence University
Junior - Haslett, Mich./Haslett
Austin led the Lawrence defense with a team-high nine tackles, including three tackles for loss during the Vikings 38-36 victory over Carroll. Austin also recorded a sack and forced a fumble in the contest and currently has 17 tackles on in three games this season.
October 3
Justin Zigler - Linebacker - Monmouth
Senior - Tampico, Ill./Prophetstown
Zigler proved to be the catalyst during the Fighting Scots 34-0 win over Lake Forest. After a scoreless first quarter, the senior linebacker intercepted a Forester pass and returned it 30 yards for a touchdown and 7-0 Monmouth lead. Zigler also recorded 10 tackles, three tackles for losses, one sack, one fumble recovery and one pass defended in the contest.
October 10
Keith Hanson - Defensive Back - Lake Forest
Senior - Fairfax, Va./Vermont Academy
Hanson added to his MWC interception lead by picking off his fourth and fifth balls of the season during a 28-14 victory over Knox. Hanson, who notched five total tackles and one tackle for a loss, returned one of the interceptions for a touchdown before having it called back on an illegal block. The senior defensive back also blocked a 23-yard field goal attempt in the second quarter and broke up a pair of passes. Hanson totaled 45 yards in return yardage.
October 17
Antwan Byrd - Linebacker - Illinois College
Sophomore - St. Louis, Mo./Marquette
Byrd was all over the field in the Blueboys 24-8 victory over Lake Forest on Saturday. Byrd registered a game-high 14 tackles, including six solo stops, one sack, 1.5 tackles for loss and a pass defended. Byrd’s sack came in the second quarter after the Foresters drove to the Illinois College 8-yard line. The sack pushed the Lake Forest field goal attempt to 34 yards and the kick was no good. Byrd’s 14-tackle effort was tops by a Blueboy defender this season.
October 24
Isaac Hamilton - Defensive Back - Carroll
Sophomore - Port Edwards, Wis./John Edwards
Hamilton had an afternoon to remember during the Pioneers 40-13 victory over Lake Forest on Saturday. The sophomore efensive back scored on defense and special teams, returning an interception and kickoff 56 and 83 yards, respectively, for scores. Hamilton also made 10 tackles, intercepted a second pass, defended three balls and made two stops for osses in the victory. He finished the game with two kickoff returns for 102 yards.
October 31
Zach Lenox - Defensive End - Knox
Senior - O’Fallon, Mo./St. Dominic
Lenox guided a dominant defensive effort for the Prairie Fire in a 14-0 victory over Illinois College on Saturday. The junior defensive end recorded five total tackles, 3.5 tackles for losses, one fumble recovery, and a pair of sacks. Lenox was the key component of a Knox defense that held the Blueboys to -11 yards rushing, a new Knox record for fewest rushing yards allowed in a game. Lenox entered the week ranked in the Top 20 in the country in sacks and is second in the MWC with nine sacks this season.
November 7
Nigel Richard - Defensive Back - Beloit
Sophomore - Weston, Mass./Natick
Richard was instrumental in the Bucs 27-23 come-from-behind victory over Illinois College on Saturday. Beloit trailed 23-6 in the fourth quarter before a furious comeback that ended when Richard caught a 49-yard touchdown pass with 1:09 remaining in the game. The sophomore defensive back was placed at wide out as a speed upgrade on the final drive of the game, but his impact was felt on defensive side of the ball as well. Richard thwarted two Blueboy drives in Beloit territory by intercepting his fourth and fifth passes off the season, along with making four tackles. Richard’s TD was his first reception of the season.
November 14
Adam Neiffer - Linebacker - Beloit College
Senior - Ione, Ore./Ione