Conference championships are on the line with two weeks left in the regular season, and the NAIA Football Notebook takes a look at the penultimate week in the regular season with four featured games, four more to watch, statistical leaders, standings, and scores.
The Victory Sports Network is a major contributor this week, checking in on Matthew Donovan, from Mayville State (N.D.), who continues to demonstrate the strength and perseverance that defined him as a competitor. A powerful reminder that some of life’s greatest victories aren’t on the scoreboard.
Click here for a printable copy (PDF) of this week’s notes.
The MSFA Mideast title race takes center stage as Indiana Wesleyan and Saint Francis meet with identical 3-0 conference records. Indiana Wesleyan leads the NAIA in scoring offense (57.6 points per game) and total offense (604.0 yards per game), while ranking second in passing efficiency (199.3). Quarterback Arjun Lothe has thrown for more than 2,500 yards and 30 touchdowns, while running back Ryan Whitwell has surpassed 1,200 rushing yards. Saint Francis enters following a 45-14 victory over Defiance.
Two teams unbeaten in MSFA Midwest play meet with first place at stake, as Marian and Saint Xavier both enter at 3-0 in the league. Marian has won eight straight and is allowing just 14.1 points and 262.1 yards per contest. The Knights have intercepted 17 passes, tied for second nationally. Saint Xavier counters with a passing attack averaging 299.1 yards per game, led by quarterback Blainey Dowling. The Cougars have won their last two, including a 44-22 victory over Judson.
The Heart North’s two unbeaten teams meet in Davenport, Iowa, both carrying 5-0 conference records. Grand View has won five consecutive, including last Saturday, led by Special Teams Player of the Week Dominic Witt, who was 5-for-5 on field goals, including a walk-off 43-yarder in a 36-34 win over William Penn. The Vikings rank fourth nationally in rushing defense, allowing just 81.2 yards per game, and have scored three defensive touchdowns. St. Ambrose has matched Grand View’s perfect divisional start, setting up a meeting that will give the winner sole possession of first place entering the final week of the regular season.
First place in the Frontier Conference West is on the line as two teams with perfect 4-0 divisional records meet in Caldwell, Idaho. College of Idaho enters averaging 53.3 points and 519.8 yards per game, while converting a nation-leading 60% of its third downs. Carroll counters with one of the nation’s top defenses, allowing just 13.3 points per game, and ranks third nationally in passing efficiency (196.7). The Fighting Saints have won six straight, while the Yotes look to preserve their unbeaten season.
Georgetown (Ky.) (5-3) at No. 10 Campbellsville (7-1), 2 PM ET
Georgetown is atop the Mid-South standings at 3-1, with Campbellsville close behind at 2-1. Campbellsville averages 480.4 yards per game while allowing just 14.4 points. GC’s Jamarcus Robinson is third nationally in kickoff return yards (592) and average (34.8).
No. 15 Keiser (Fla.) (6-2) at Southeastern (Fla.) (6-2), 2 PM ET
Keiser and Southeastern meet with postseason implications. Southeastern cornerback Jamil Jones, this week’s NAIA Defensive Player of the Week, set a school record with three interceptions against Warner, including a 97-yard touchdown return.
Kansas Wesleyan (6-3) at McPherson (7-2), 1 PM CT
Kansas Wesleyan looks to remain in the KCAC Bissell title race behind NAIA Offensive Player of the Week Caleb Deal, who threw for 489 yards and four touchdowns against Friends. The Coyotes close the regular season at Southwestern on Nov. 14.
Dickinson State (5-5) at No. 5 Montana Tech (8-1), 1 PM MT
Dickinson State looks to remain in the Frontier East race against division-leading Montana Tech. Both programs have extensive NAIA postseason histories, while Tech allows just 11.9 points per game. The Orediggers’ Levi Torgerson caught nine passes for 87 yards and a touchdown in last week’s 41-0 win over Rocky Mountain.
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