KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Six top-10 teams saw upward movement behind an unchanged top two in the STADIONIC NAIA Football Coaches Poll, as College of Idaho remained No. 1 with nine first-place votes, followed by Keiser (Fla.), with the remaining four.
Benedictine (Kan.), Grand View (Iowa), Montana Tech, Morningside (Iowa), and Friends (Kan.) moved up one each, while Marian (Ind.) used an upset over now-No. 10 Indiana Wesleyan to climb to No. 8.
Cumberland (Tenn.) returned to the top 25 at No. 25, and Georgetown (Ky.) made the biggest jump this week, from No. 22 to No. 17 after an overtime win over now-No. 18 Lindsey Wilson (Ky.).
The Yotes are 5-0 after a bye week, led by Rylie Byington, who ranks third nationally with 12 rushing touchdowns, while quarterback Caden Young is among the national leaders in completion percentage (69.9%). College of Idaho returns to action Saturday at Montana Western.
The Seahawks defeated Florida Memorial last week, 38-16, to improve to 4-1. Quarterback JT Tabora ranks among the NAIA leaders in completion percentage (69.2%), as second-ranked Keiser faces another significant Sun Conference test Saturday when they travel to unbeaten, No. 9 St. Thomas (Fla.).
BC continued its strong run with a 52-14 victory over Central Methodist. The Ravens have won five games since a season-opening loss, hosting MidAmerica Nazarene (Kan.) with a lot on the line Saturday in the Heart South.
The defending national champions were idle last week and stand 5-1, returning to action in a stand-alone Thursday game with Graceland (Iowa), looking to build on a five-win start to 2026. The Vikings give up the second-fewest points in the NAIA, on average, at 10.2 per game.
Montana Tech posted a 62-0 victory over Montana State-Northern, improving to 6-1. Receiver Levi Torgerson is tied for the national lead with 59 receptions and has accumulated 1,012 all-purpose yards, including 626 receiving yards. The Orediggers have an open week before resuming Frontier Conference play.
The Mustangs rolled to a 72-19 victory over Waldorf, improving to 6-1. Receiver Drew Sellon is tied for the national lead with 59 receptions and ranks fourth with 750 receiving yards. Quarterback Tyler Smith leads the NAIA in completion percentage (76.3%) among qualifying passers and ranks among the national leaders in passing efficiency (185.3).
The Falcons entered the KCAC’s uniform bye week 6-0, and they’ll get a top 15 test to open the Bissell Division, at 6-0 McPherson (Kan.). The Bulldogs are No. 12 this week and lead the NAIA in points-against, at just over a touchdown per game. Friends continues to lead the NAIA in scoring at 66 points per game, as well as on the ground at an NAIA-best 440 yards per contest. Michael Lopez ranks eighth nationally with 932 all-purpose yards, including 358 kickoff return yards and 225 punt return yards.
Marian earned one of the weekend’s biggest victories, defeating previously unbeaten and then-No. 3 Indiana Wesleyan 30-28. Uriah Buchanan rushed for 141 yards as the Knights totaled 235 on the ground, while Ashton Vogel connected on the winning 27-yard field goal with 3:37 remaining. Marian hosts unbeaten No. 16 Olivet Nazarene (Ill.) on Saturday.
The Bobcats moved to 6-0 last week with a 54-10 victory over Warner (Fla.). Running back Isaiah Lopez ranks fifth nationally with 750 rushing yards and ninth in all-purpose yards with 927. Eyes in The Sun Conference will be on St. Thomas, Saturday, as the Bobcats host No. 2 Keiser (Fla.) on homecoming.
Indiana Wesleyan suffered its first loss of the season, falling 30-28 at Marian despite another strong offensive performance. Ryan Whitwell rushed for 185 yards and leads the NAIA with 167.0 rushing yards per game, and he’s second nationally in both rushing yards (1,002) and rushing touchdowns (15).
| RANK | LAST | INSTITUTION [FIRST PLACE VOTES] | RECORD | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ● | 1 | 1 | College of Idaho [9] | 5-0 |
| ● | 2 | 2 | Keiser (Fla.) [4] | 4-1 |
| ▲ | 3 | 4 | Benedictine (Kan.) | 5-1 |
| ▲ | 4 | 5 | Grand View (Iowa) | 5-1 |
| ▲ | 5 | 6 | Montana Tech | 6-1 |
| ▲ | 6 | 7 | Morningside (Iowa) | 6-1 |
| ▲ | 7 | 8 | Friends (Kan.) | 6-0 |
| ▲ | 8 | 10 | Marian (Ind.) | 5-1 |
| ● | 9 | 9 | St. Thomas (Fla.) | 6-0 |
| ▼ | 10 | 3 | Indiana Wesleyan | 5-1 |
| ▲ | 11 | 12 | Carroll (Mont.) | 5-1 |
| ▲ | 12 | 14 | McPherson (Kan.) | 6-0 |
| ● | 13 | 13 | Campbellsville (Ky.) | 5-1 |
| ▲ | 14 | 15 | Dordt (Iowa) | 4-2 |
| ▲ | 15 | 16 | Louisiana Christian | 6-1 |
| ▲ | 16 | 17 | Olivet Nazarene (Ill.) | 5-0 |
| ▲ | 17 | 22 | Georgetown (Ky.) | 4-2 |
| ▼ | 18 | 11 | Lindsey Wilson (Ky.) | 5-2 |
| ● | 19 | 19 | Midland (Neb.) | 5-1 |
| ● | 20 | 20 | Northwestern (Iowa) | 5-2 |
| ▼ | 21 | 18 | William Penn (Iowa) | 5-1 |
| ▼ | 22 | 21 | Southeastern (Fla.) | 4-1 |
| ▲ | 23 | 24 | Baker (Kan.) | 5-1 |
| ▲ | 24 | 25 | Evangel (Mo.) | 4-2 |
| ▲ | 25 | RV | Cumberland (Tenn.) | 4-2 |
Dropped out of the Top 25: Dakota State (S.D.)
Receiving Votes:Cumberlands (Ky.), Dakota State (S.D.), Kansas Wesleyan, MidAmerica Nazarene (Kan.), OUAZ (Ariz.), Southwestern (Kan.), Taylor (Ind.)
About the NAIA
The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), headquartered in Kansas City, Mo., is a governing body of small college athletics programs dedicated to character-driven, education-based athletics. Since 1937, the NAIA has balanced high-level competition with holistic student-athlete development through its commitment to The Right Way to Play®. Each year more than 87,000 NAIA student-athletes compete in college athletics, earn over $1.3 billion in financial aid, and pursue opportunities to participate in 30 national championships. naia.org | @NAIA | #TheRightWayToPlay
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