Justin Knapp earns second CCIW "Defensive Player of the Week" honors

Wheaton,

Ill. (10/27) - Wheaton College senior Justin Knapp (Ames,

Iowa/Ames) has been named the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

(CCIW) "Defensive Player of the Week" for his efforts in Saturday's 35-21

win by the Thunder at Illinois Wesleyan. This is Knapp's second selection

as CCIW "Defensive Player of the Week", he first earned the honor

after Wheaton's 39-20 win at Millikin on October 12.

In Saturday's win over the Titans, Knapp made 11 total tackles

with six solo tackles and a quarterback sack (-5 yards). Knapp also recovered

a Titan fumble on the IWU 22-yard line that setup a Wheaton touchdown that

gave the guests a 14-7 lead and the advantage in the game for good. The senior

tri-captain led a Thunder defense that held Chris Ross, the CCIW's second-

leading rusher to 34 yards on 16 carries for an average of 2.1 yards per carry.

Wheaton is currently 6-1 and 4-0 in the CCIW for a first place

tie in the conference with Augustana. Knapp is tied for third in the conference

and first among Thunder defenders in total tackles with 63 this season. The

preseason Second Team All-American made four tackles for lost yardage (-24

yards), 1 quarterback sacks (-10 yards) and two interceptions this season.