September 9
Joe Masciopinto, St. Norbert
Masciopinto, a senior defensive back from Harwood Heights, Ill., registered seven tackles for the Green Knights in their 21-19 victory over MIAC foe St. Thomas. The SNC defender snared a key interception in the fourth quarter that set up the Knights’ clinching touchdown. He also had a pass breakup.
September 16 - (Co-players)
Seth Kopf, Knox
Kopf, a senior defensive back from West Lafayette, Ind., (Harrison HS) recorded two interceptions in Knox’s victory over Carroll. His first interception denied Carroll a chance from tying the game at 14 midway through the second quarter after he picked off Carroll’s pass at the goaline and ran it back 48 yards. He also recorded a tackle and helped the Prairie Fire defense limit the Carroll offense to 109 total yards including -2 rushing yards.
Pat Gillihan, Lake Forest
Gillihan, a senior safety from Leawood, Kan., (Blue Valley North H.S.) registered 14 tackles, including a sack and two stops behind the line of scrimmage in a win over Grinnell.
September 23
Ryan Gallegos, Lake Forest
Gallegos, a freshman linebacker from Plantation, Fla., led his team with 15 tackles (3 solo), and registered 1.5 sacks, for a loss of seven yards in the Foresters’ 20-16 victory over Beloit.
September 30 - (Co-players)
Scott Caroen, Lawrence
Caroen, a freshman linebacker from Iron River, Mich. (West Iron) played a pivotal role in his team’s win over Carroll that snapped Lawrence’s school-record 17-game losing streak. Caroen picked off a Carroll pass in the third quarter and raced 48 yards for a touchdown, putting the Vikings ahead to stay at 21-14. He also led Lawrence with 13 tackes, including three for a loss.
Brian Short, Illinois C.
Short, a junior linebacker from Carrollton, Ill., (Carrollton HS) registered a game-high 13 tackles (including four solo and two for a loss), added a sack and a pass break up as the Blueboys won at Grinnell. It was IC’s first MWC shutout since 1992. Short sealed the win with an interception in the final minute.
October 7
Blake Fiorito, Carroll
Fiorito, a sophomore defensive tackle from Park Ridge, Ill. (Maine South), led the way with four sacks and six tackles-for-loss during the Pioneers’ Homecoming victory over Ripon. His totals included 11 tackles and three quarterback hurries. The win was the first of the season for Carroll.
October 14
Justin Zigler, Monmouth
Zigler, a sophomore from Tampico Ill. (Prophetstown HS), registered 19 tackles in the Scots’ victory over Grinnell. With the score tied at 13 early in the second half, Zigler forced a fumble that Monmouth recovered. The ensuing drive led to a field goal that put the Scots ahead to stay.
October 21
Seth Kopf, Knox
Kopf, a senior from West Lafayette, Ind. (Harrison HS), picked off three Grinnell passes, tying a Knox single-game record for interceptions and matching the school standard for picks in a season (7). Kopf is now within two interceptions of becoming the school’s all-time pass thief. The Prairie Fire defensive back also recorded a pair of tackles, broke up a pass and forced a fumble.
October 28
Drew Holman, Lake Forest
Holman, a junior safety from Morris, Ill., tied the Lake Forest single game record for pass interceptions. Holman became the second player in as many weeks to record three interceptions in a game when he grabbed three Carroll passes in the Foresters’ loss. His first pick triggered the Foresters’ only scoring drive of the contest. Holman’s second pass theft stopped a Carroll drive at the LFC 27, and his final interception came at the LFC 26 with the score tied at 7 late in the final quarter.
November 4
Jeff Burke, Knox College
Burke, a senior linebacker from Oklahoma City, Okla. (Bishop McGuiness H.S.), helped limit Illinois C. to 62 rushing yards Saturday, leading both teams in tackles with 14. Burke also intercepted a pass and was credited with a pass deflection. With Burke playing a key role, the Prairie Fire defense limited the Blueboys to 231 total yards en route to a victory.
November 11
Rob Rogers, Monmouth
Rogers, a senior linebacker, from East Moline (Orion HS), keyed the Scots to a victory over Knox in the 115th meeting between the two schools. Rogers closed out his NCAA career in convincing style with 10 tackles and an interception. His totals one tackle for a loss and a pass breakup. Rogers increased his season tackle total to 97, and he was just one stop shy of tying the Scot’s all-time tackle mark.
November 19
Omar Pickering, Lake Forest
Pickering, a junior from Mount Vernon, NY, racked up 18 tackles in the Foresters’ victory at Ripon. He had four solo stops (including one TFL) and 14 assists, and blocked a punt. Pickering finished the season with 102 tackles.
Jacques Hacquebord, Lawrence
Hacquebord, a senior safety from Waunakee Wis., made the play of the day when, with time running out, he stepped in front of a Knox pass at the LU 10-yard line and made a game-saving interception. The pick was the eighth of Hacquebord’s career and second this fall. He also registered 11 tackles on the day and broke up a pass.