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Cikauskas, James Earn MWC Performer of the Week Awards

by Nathan Baliva

MONMOUTH, ill. (11/03/2025) — Monmouth College football players Anthony Cikauskas (Oswego, Illinois) and Ethan James (Carthage, Illinois) picked up Midwest Conference Performer of the Week honors on Monday.

Cikauskas won the Defemsive Performer of the Week award after racking up 4.5 tackles for loss, two sacks, eight total tackles, two QB hurries and one pass break up on Saturday. The Scots shut out Chicago 29-0 to take control of the MWC race. Cikauskas and the defense held Chicago to seven overall first downs, five rushing yards and 84 total yards of offense. Monmouth posted 10 tackles for loss and three sacks in the game for their second straight shutout. Cikauskas broke Monmouth's career sack record with his sack in the first quarter and he now has 36 for his career.

James, the Special Teams Performer of the Week, helped the Scots set the tone on Saturday when he blocked the first Chicago punt and returned it for a touchdown. James has scored in three straight games with a fumble return, an interception return and a blocked punt return. He also recorded a tackle on the opening kickoff to put the Maroons on the 23 yard line and he finished the game with 10 tackles, including a tackle for loss.

The Scots have won special teams POW three times this season, defensive three times and offensive four times. James has won the MWC award for both defensive and special teams. Monmouth hosts Ripon at 1 p.m. on Saturday and clinch the Midwest Conference title with a win.

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