Seven Thunder players named to All-CCIW Football Team

Wheaton, Ill. (11/15) Seven members of the Wheaton College football team have been selected to the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW) All-Conference Team. The team, selected by the league's head coaches was announced by the league on Tuesday afternoon. Four members of the Thunder earned First Team All-CCIW honors, and three players were Second Team picks. Wheaton concluded its 2005 season with a 7-3 record and a 4-3 mark in conference play that garnered the Thunder a third-place finish.

Sophomore defensive end Andrew Studebaker (LEFT) and freshman cornerback Pete Ittersagen (RIGHT) were First Team selections to the defensive unit. Studebaker led the Thunder with 19-1/2 tackles for lost yardage (-79 yards) and 7-1/2 quarterback sacks. He tallied 55 total tackles this season, with 28 solo stops. The talented sophomore was second in the CCIW in tackles for loss and 13th among all Division III players in the category, while he was also sixth in the CCIW in sacks. Ittersagen had an impressive rookie season with Wheaton making 55 total tackles, with 32 solos. He led the Thunder with four interceptions, including one for a touchdown return.

Senior placekicker Andrew Day (LEFT) also earned a First Team selection. Day was 10-for-13 on his field goal attempts this season with a 76.9% field goal accuracy that is the highest in the CCIW. His 66 points this season led the CCIW in kick scoring. Day was a perfect 36-for-36 on his PAT attempts with the Thunder. He is 14th among all Division III kickers in field goal per game.

Senior center Kelly Stewart (RIGHT) was a First Team offensive line selection and sophomore right guard Geoff Rowson was a Second Team lineman. Stewart and Rowson blocked for a Thunder offense that was second in the CCIW and 26 th in Division III in rushing, with 220.7 rushing yards per game. The duo was part of an offensive line that allowed only 10 quarterback sacks all season.

Senior linebacker Jeff Grandy (LEFT) was a Second Team honoree. Grandy led the Thunder with 73 total tackles this season, making 26 solo stops and 47 assisted tackles. The Thunder captain recorded 7-1/2 tackles for lost yardage (-30 yards), with 2-1/2 sacks (-16 yards) and two interceptions.

Junior receiver Joe Chupp (RIGHT) earned Second Team All-CCIW honors. Chupp was Wheaton's leading receiver this season, with 39 catches for 710 yards, averaging 18.2 yards per catch and seven touchdowns. Chupp was most productive in CCIW games, as he had 25 receptions for 520 yards, averaging 20.8 yards per catch with three touchdowns against league foes.

CLICK HERE FOR FULL ALL-CCIW TEAM FROM THE CCIW WEBSITE