Lake Forest College football player Alex Bendler was named Midwest Conference Defensive Performer of the Week on Monday after helping the Foresters prevail 13-7 at the University of Chicago on Saturday.
Bendler made eight tackles in the game, including 6.0 tackles for loss and 3.0 sacks. The senior defensive end also forced a fumble on one of his sacks and blocked a field goal attempt in the third quarter. Lake Forest limited the Maroons to just 240 yards of total offense, 158 below their season average entering the contest.
The victory clinched a share of the 2022 MWC championship, giving the Foresters back-to-back conference titles for the first time in program history. They also earned the league's automatic bid to the NCAA Division III Playoffs for the second straight season.
Bendler finished the regular season tied for the team lead with 46 tackles. His 20.5 tackles for loss and 11.0 sacks so far this fall are the fourth-highest totals in school history, as are his career marks of 39.5 tackles for loss and 22.5 sacks.
MWC Performers of the Week are selected by the league's sports information directors.