Dupage Policy Journal

Illinois Wesleyan’s Dermot Smyth, Wheaton’s Colin Moore, and North Central’s Aidan Ellison have been named the College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) Football Student-Athletes of the Week after their performances in recent games.

Smyth, a junior from Chicago, contributed 322 yards of total offense to lead Illinois Wesleyan to a 34-10 victory over Carthage. He completed 14 of 28 passes for 229 yards and two touchdowns and added 93 rushing yards on seven carries, including a 35-yard touchdown run.

Moore played a key role in Wheaton's win against Carroll by making six tackles, four of which were solo efforts. He also intercepted a pass at the Pioneers' 45-yard line in the first quarter and returned it four yards. The Thunder scored two plays later.

Ellison made significant contributions for North Central in their game against WashU, converting field goals from 49 and 47 yards—the fifth and ninth longest in school history—helping his team secure a 44-14 win. He finished the game with three successful field goals and was perfect on five extra-point attempts.

The weekly CCIW honors also listed previous winners this season: Garret Wilson (North Central) and Jereme Ombogo (North Park) received offensive honors earlier in September; Rex Kroger (Wheaton) and Alex Araiza (Millikin) were recognized for defense; while Matthew Swink (Carroll) and Wesley McCloud (North Park) earned special teams awards.