We’ve reached the point in the NAIA Football regular season where we’re starting to get a true sense of what teams will look like this year. Programs with new starting quarterbacks often need a few weeks to find their rhythm, and this season is no exception. Indiana Wesleyan, Montana Tech, Southeastern, Concordia, MidAmerica Nazarene, Dickinson State, Southwestern, and Carroll College all entered the year in the Top 25 with fresh faces under center.
Now, as September wraps up, we’re seeing how those transitions are taking shape. For some teams, it’s been seamless—plug and play without missing a beat. For others, quarterback play has developed more slowly, leaving defenses to carry the load while the offense works to catch up.
As you’ll see below, many of those new QBs will be put to the test again this week. With four week’s of football under their belts, we’re getting a sense of just who they are going to be this season.
Featured NAIA Football Games
No. 5 Indiana Wesleyan at No. 19 Marian University: I’m not quite sure where I am with Marian University this season. They played a tough DII to start the season and have breezed through their next two games with limited resistance. Indiana Wesleyan has been tested more this season through the first couple of weeks than they have the last three years.
| IWU | Stats | Marian |
| 42.3 | Off PPG | 41.7 |
| 22.3 | Def PPG | 26.7 |
| 476.3 | Total Offense | 396.7 |
| 366.8 | Total Defense | 320.3 |
This will be a great game because both teams will try to take the next step in their 2025 evolution into a postseason caliber team. If Marian gets out to a quick start, they could control this game. They need to avoid giving IWU confidence early in this one. If the Wildcats jump out against a quality team like Marian, they’ll have what they need to keep it rolling. It’s going to be a great one in Indy!
Marian University 31 Indiana Wesleyan 30
RV Evangel at No. 7 Friends: Evangel is back again this week in a featured game against an undefeated opponent. Last week the Valor lost at home to McPherson after upending Southwestern on the road in the week previous. Friends has been beating the brakes off everyone they’ve played this year and I felt like last week they would see more resistance from Tabor. . .they didn’t. Evangel will be the Falcons biggest test to date in 2025.
| Evangel | Stats | Friends |
| 39.5 | Off PPG | 64.0 |
| 17.5 | Def PPG | 9.0 |
| 503.3 | Total Offense | 553.8 |
| 331.8 | Total Defense | 135.3 |
The Falcons are going to run the ball but often what’s over looked is how physical they play on the defensive side of the ball. Last week they only allowed 87 total yards. Evangel is going to have their work cut out for them this week. They’ve shown flashes of what their offense can do but will need to bring it all together this week to have a shot.
Friends 42 Evangel 17
No. 20 Dickinson State at No. 9 Montana Western: Dickinson State took a real punch to the gut last week in their loss to Carroll College. Their offense couldn’t move the ball and their defense couldn’t coral the Saints. It’s not getting any easier this week as they face one of the best QB/WR duos in all of the NAIA. DSU needs experience to bring their crew along, unfortunately their opponent isn’t going to let them just run 7 on 7.
| Dickinson State | Stats | Montana Western |
| 23.3 | Off PPG | 38.0 |
| 22.0 | Def PPG | 19.7 |
| 289.3 | Total Offense | 466.0 |
| 342.0 | Total Defense | 280.3 |
If there has been a blemish on Western this year, it’s been their defense against better competition. Last week they allowed 347 yards and 21 points to Rocky Mountain and Tech put up 382 yards. This is Western’s shot to win a game against a Top 25 opponent and get back on track as a potential Frontier Conference Champion. Western is a lot further a long as an experienced squad and it’s gonna be an uphill battle for the Blue Hawks.
Montana Western 45 Dickinson State 17
No. 15 Dordt at No. 14 Northwestern: Dordt is 0-18 against Northwestern. They’ve had some years where they’ve come close to knocking off their neighbor but they just haven’t been able to put it all together. However, this year’s squad has gelled early and they are playing like a complete team.
| Dordt | Stats | Northwestern |
| 53.5 | Off PPG | 25.7 |
| 3.5 | Def PPG | 8.0 |
| 503.5 | Total Offense | 344.3 |
| 208.0 | Total Defense | 167.7 |
In the games I’ve seen Northwestern play this year, I didn’t see the physicality that I’ve become accustomed to on their offensive and defensive line. Their running game has always been the straw that stirred the drink on offense but it’s lacking the punch the Red Raiders need to be successful in these big games. Northwestern is a team that I’m still trying to figure out this year.
This is the year the Defenders finally do it. Dordt breaks the streak against the Red Raiders.
Dordt 28 Northwestern 17
No. 25 College of Idaho at No. 6 Montana Tech: Tech is back at home to take on another Top 25 opponent. All but one of their wins this year have come against a team in the poll, so it goes without saying the Orediggers have been tested. Through three games this year, their offense was powered by a strong rushing attack with passing as an afterthought. But last week, Tech’s run game was shut down and the aerial assault led the ‘Diggers to a road win over Southern Oregon.
| COI | Stats | Tech |
| 32.0 | Off PPG | 34.8 |
| 17.67 | Def PPG | 20.8 |
| 463.7 | Total Offense | 371.3 |
| 280.3 | Total Defense | 363.5 |
College of Idaho has been quietly lurking, improving each week and finally catching the eye of the coaches this week with their inclusion into the Top 25. QB Caden Young has been slinging it and is proving to be a solid option to run the ball for the Yotes. Their schedule has set up nicely to develop this squad before being thrust into the heart of the Frontier Conference schedule. We’ll know a lot more about COI’s squad after this weekend.
Tech in Butte is tough, that’s ultimately what will decide this game. The Yote’s give the Orediggers a scare.
Montana Tech 35 College of Idaho 28
Peru State at No. 3 Benedictine: I can’t figure out Peru State and this week’s game against the Raven’s will help tell the story if they are going to be able to compete with the best in the Heart Conference. This team has put up no yards and unlimited yards in different games this year. At times they’ve looked like an offense that can’t be stopped and other times it’s looked like their defense could stop no one. It’s time for a gut check in Atchison, KS.
| Peru State | Stats | Benedictine |
| 30.0 | Off PPG | 40.5 |
| 19.5 | Def PPG | 25.0 |
| 390.8 | Total Offense | 451.5 |
| 347.3 | Total Defense | 390.0 |
We all know Benedictine is one of the best in the NAIA. Their offense and defense continues to get better. If they show up focused and ready to play, they’ll handle the Bobcats they way most in the NAIA think they will. But if they give Peru State too much early in this game, PSC might hang around and make it interesting.
I’m going with what should happen, but don’t be surprised if it’s closer.
Benedictine 42 Peru State 14
Primetime Performances Presented by Blue Diamond Almonds
I’ve gone a bit overboard the last couple of week’s highlighting some of the best performances in NAIA football. Someone said to me online, “Next time just post a link to the stat web site.”
Funny and maybe a bit true. But the point of this website and everything I do is to highlight the athletes and programs that maybe don’t get to be center stage in their regional media let alone SportsCenter. So with that said, here’s another big ass list of NAIA football players who had great games last week.
Peru State QB CJ Dixon pretty much did it all last week. He was 30-54 passing for 536 yards and 7 TDs. He also rushed 10 times for 101 yards. I can’t remember many QBs going for 500/100 in my time covering the NAIA.
Tel Arthur of Montana Tech had himself a great game Saturday. He made a game-high 14 tackles (10 solos, 4 assists) as No. 6 ranked Montana Tech held then No. 24 Southern Oregon to just two touchdowns in a 37-14 road victory.
Morningside QB Zack Chevalier was 22-33 for 274 yards and 5 touchdowns in the Mustangs 55-37 win over Midland. His favorite target, Drew Sellon, managed 10 of those completions for 130 yards.
Here’s an idea, keep track of where TE Tanner Zimmerman of Benedictine is at all times. Last weekend against Clarke he had three receptions, but managed 155 yards receiving and a TD. QB Jackson Dooley threw for 422 yards and five touchdowns.
St. Francis (Ill.) and Lawrence Tech played one of the better games in the NAIA last week with little fan fare. Saints QB Nathan Maul was 13-20 for 251 yards and 3 TDs while Tech’s Ryan Schuster was 28-46 for 369 yards and 4 TDs. USF won 42-28 but the most impressive stat is with all that passing and a pretty solid rushing attack from both teams they only combined for one turnover.
Carl Bew had two touchdowns, one on the ground and another, a 100-yard house call on a kickoff return against Lawrence Tech (Mich.), earning the Sept. 22 designation as NAIA Special Teams Player of the Week. Bew ended the game with 178 all-purpose yards – 132 on returns – adding 37 yards rushing and a nine-yard reception, helping St. Francis get in the win column for the first time in 2025
Linebacker Jack Brickhouse of Morningside University tallied nine tackles against Midland, with seven solo tackles. He provided a defensive spark late in the third quarter of the contest, returning an interception 36 yards to snuff out a Midland drive.
Campbellsville had six different people complete passes last weekend in their 61-7 win over Thomas (Ga.). Jett Engle led the way with 225 yards and 4 TDs. Trenton Cutwright added two more touchdowns in the blowout.
Graceland continues to put up big offensive numbers, even in games that don’t go the full 60 minutes. Last weekend’s game with Missouri Baptist was cut short due to weather but QB CJ Brooks still threw for 318 yards and 5 TDs. RB Javon Minor added 113 yards rushing and Aaron Bullock II had 124 yards receiving and 2 TDs.
Friends University allowed -33 yards rushing last week against Tabor. The Falcons had 13 tackles for loss including three from Taeylon Garland. Garland had six total tackles, two of them sacks.
Cumberland University (TN) scored 21 unanswered points to defeat Pikeville 21-17 last weekend. The scoring was bolstered by a blocked punt returned by Cannon Johnson for a TD. Johnson finished the game with nine total tackles for the Phoenix.
Taj McClellan tied a Saint Xavier (Ill.) record that had stood for nearly 23 years, recording three interceptions in the Cougars’ 21-7 win over Madonna (Mich.), taking NAIA Defensive Player of the Week honors for Sept. 22.
William Penn’s Destynd Loring was at it again last weekend. He ran the ball 33 times for 178 yards and pulled in 51 yards receiving in the Statesmen victory over MidAmerican Nazarene, 34-31. Loring currently leads the NAIA in rushing with 149.5 yards per game.
Kenneth Ray accounted for seven total tackles and a fumble recovery for a touchdown in McPherson’s 17-10 win over Evangel on Saturday. He played a pivotal part in a low-scoring, defensive battle, and his touchdown put the Bulldogs ahead 14-10, a lead which they would not surrender in the game.
Jaylen Magee aided the OUAZ to a 56-10 victory over Panhandle State with 152 all-purpose yards on the evening as he had 106 yards on the ground in 19 rushes with a touchdown while adding 46 yards on three receptions and another touchdown. Magee averaged 5.6 yards per carry and 15.3 yards per catch in the win for OUAZ
Kenny White scored two TDs for OUAZ on defense to go along with six total tackles with three solo stops while having a tackle for a loss in the contest. White had a fumble recovery that he returned 47 yards for a touchdown and an interception that he returned 40 yards for a score.
St. Ambrose exploded last week for 82 points in their win over William Woods. QB Alec Ponder threw for five touchdowns and RB Tre Jenkins added 155 yards rushing. His battery mate Zaire Wilcox added 95 yards and three touchdowns.
Dakota State RB Preston Iverson had 21 carries for 165 yards and two touchdowns last week in the Trojans win over Arizona Christian. QB Tray Hettick threw for 338 yards and four TDs.
Ramblings of Dannelly
Sunday nights we’ve added a new segment to the show: “For Love of the NAIA.” We want your NAIA football stories. Email or DM us with the adventures, mishaps, or behind-the-scenes moments you’ve experienced as an NAIA athlete, coach, or fan. Don’t worry—we’ll keep everything anonymous.
The idea came from some of the wild situations we’ve seen this season. For example, Bethel University had to forfeit its game against Keiser because a weather delay would have caused them to miss their flights back to Tennessee. Or take Pat’s story from last week: mid-game, his phone was blowing up because the team’s food delivery showed up two hours early. The delivery guy—who was about to get off work—was desperate to know where to drop off the subs.
Picture it: “It’s 3rd and 3. Let’s go with…hold on a sec, gotta tell this guy where the sandwiches go.”
That’s exactly the type of thing we’re looking for. Send your stories to mail@victorysportsnetwork.com or DM me on social media. We’ll feature them during the Overtime segment each week.
Quick shoutout to the NAIA national office—they’ve stepped up their game in promoting NAIA football. Their new NAIA Football Weekly Notebook is packed with useful info, and they’ve gone back to publishing full press releases on the National Players of the Week. Honestly, I never loved the old bullet-point rundowns. Now, each winner gets their own feature story, which is exactly how it should be. Props to the team in KC for making it happen.
Speaking of the NAIA, this year they are going to utilize the “NAIA Football Performance Index” as a tool to help select postseason qualifiers. It rewards teams with victories over teams based on their win/loss percentage and where the game was played. It also assigns a point total to losses based on the same criteria. The move essentially eliminates the NAIA Coaches Top 25 Poll as part of the criteria for qualification into the NAIA Championship series. The primary criteria now used for selection (in no particular order) is:
- Overall Record/Winning Percentage
- ARC Rating
- Massey Rating
- NAIA Football Performance Index
- Record vs. Teams ranked in ARCs
You can read all about this in the NAIA Football Coaches Corner, which I would recommend before the postseason gets here. The NAIA Performance Index will be published in the coming weeks for all of us to look over in the NAIA’s Weekly Football Notebook.
How the hell is September almost over. I don’t like it. It mean’s 1/3 of the football season is over. No thank you. Let’s slow things down a bit. But since we can’t do that, let’s keep diving into as much NAIA football as we can while we can. Get out there this weekend and enjoy some NAIA football.
