Lehnen Lands Gagliardi Trophy For 2nd Year As NCC Wins Stagg Bowl

NAPERVILLE, IL — Naperville Central College (NCC) quarterback Luke Lehnen recently reached a milestone by becoming the second college football player in history to receive the Gagliardi Trophy two years in a row. Lehnen's trophy win came shortly before NCC defeated the University of Mount Union to win the 2025 Stagg Bowl.

The Gagliardi Trophy has been awarded annually to outstanding players in NCAA Division III since its inception in 1993, according to a news release. In 2014, University of Mount Union quarterback Kevin Burke became the first player to win the trophy for two consecutive seasons.

A graduate student at NCC earning his master’s degree in sports leadership, Lehnen scored five touchdowns during Sunday's Stagg Bowl championship game, according to the North Central College Cardinals website. The game also solidified Lehnen as the record holder for touchdown passes in Division III, with a career total of 162.

Named after late St. Johns University Coach John Gagliardi and sponsored by Stearns Bank, the Gagliardi Trophy is awarded annually to Division III players nominated by their colleges. Winners are chosen by a committee made up of coaches, administrators and other national and regional voters.

Lehnen was chosen from a group of four finalists that included Carnegie Mellon linebacker Robert Coury, Saint John's University quarterback Aaron Syverson, Illinois College quarterback Destin Chance and Cortland State quarterback Zac Boyes.