NAPERVILLE, Ill. -- Three interceptions in a season? Good season. Three interceptions in a game? Outstanding. Three interceptions in the final five minutes to preserve a College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) victory? Unheard of… but that's what junior defensive back Ben Butler did to earn CCIW Defensive Player of the Week honors on Monday afternoon.
Starting at the 4:55 mark in the fourth quarter, Butler intercepted passes from Illinois Wesleyan in the Titans' final three drives of the game. With seconds left on the clock, and a final heave from IWU imminent, Butler's interception in Viking territory led North Park to a 28-24 victory in Chicago.
Butler added five solo tackles, including one for a two-yard loss, to his career game. He is one of two players in the CCIW credited with three interceptions, joining North Central sophomore defensive back Brayden Garrigan. Butler is the only player, however, to have all three interceptions in CCIW action and, of course, three in one game.
