Wheaton's Spencer Rowland is named the CCIW's Defensive Player of the Week

Wheaton, Ill. - Senior cornerback Spencer Rowland was named this week's College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW) Defensive Player of the Week by the conference office on Monday afternoon. Today's selection marks Rowland's first career recognition as a CCIW Player of the Week. He is the second Wheaton player to earn the conference's Defensive Player of the Week award this season, joining Robby Schwartz (Sept. 23) and overall as the join John Bickle who was the Special Teams Player of the Week on September 9.

Rowland helped lead the Thunder defense to a 62-0 win over Millikin on Saturday as the Big Blue were held to 156 yards of offense, including just 92 passing yards. Rowland totaled two interceptions, three pass breakups and had three solo tackles. His first interception came in the first quarter with Wheaton leading 7-0 as he picked off a Millikin pass at the Thunder 38-yard line and returned it nine yards. His second interception came in the second quarter with Wheaton leading 17-0 as he picked off a pass at the Big Blue 44-yard line and returned it 26 yards to the Millikin 26 to set up a Wheaton touchdown four plays later.

The Wheaton defense has been impressive in Wheaton's three victories to open the season. Wheaton leads Division III in total defense and scoring defense (3.3 PPG). is second in passing yards allowed per game and 15th in rushing defense.

Wheaton, is ranked ninth this week in both the D3football.com and American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) coaches polls. The Thunder host fifth-ranked North Central this Saturday at 1:00 p.m. in the annual battle for the Little Brass Bell.

Originally published by Wheaton College Athletics: /news/2019/9/30/football-wheatons-spencer-rowland-is-named-the-cciws-defensive-player-of-the-week.aspx