The NAIA football schedule takes a step forward with a Week 4 slate that could further shake things up Monday when NAIA football coaches name a third regular-season top 25. For the first time since 2024, we have a new No. 1, Keiser (Fla.), and the Seahawks get an unbeaten non-conference opponent in their first shot at defending the top spot. Right behind them, No. 2 College of Idaho hosts No. 3 Montana Tech. Those are just two highlights in a 10-game featured slate (broadcast links below).
For a full look at Week 4 in the NAIA, download your printable copy of this week’s edition of the NAIA Football Notebook.
Three NAIA football student-athletes were named semifinalists for the 2026 William V. Campbell Trophy® on Wednesday, placing Dakota State’s Tray Hettick, Indiana Wesleyan’s Arjun Lothe and Texas Wesleyan’s Cole Francis among college football’s top scholar-athletes.
The National Football Foundation announced 206 semifinalists for the award, which recognizes an individual for combined academic success, football performance and leadership. Hettick, Lothe and Francis are the only three NAIA student-athletes among a field that includes candidates from every NCAA division.
The Campbell Trophy is presented annually by the National Football Foundation and is described by the organization as college football’s premier scholar-athlete award. Finalists will be announced later this fall.
IWU’s Whitwell Takes the Lead
Indiana Wesleyan’s Ryan Whitwell rushed for 243 yards last week to take over the NAIA lead with 713 yards through four games. Whitwell also leads the nation with 10 rushing touchdowns and 733 all-purpose yards for the 4-0 Wildcats.
Hettick Keeps Slinging
Dakota State’s Tray Hettick threw five touchdown passes in last week’s win over Arizona Christian and now leads the NAIA with 1,430 passing yards and 17 touchdowns. The Trojans have thrown for an NAIA-best 1,524 yards through four games.
Baker Locks Down on Defense
No. 23 Baker has allowed just 13 points during its 3-0 start, an NAIA-low 4.3 per game. The Wildcats have held all three opponents to seven points or fewer after wins of 27-0, 43-6 and 28-7.
Going the Distance for FMU
Florida Memorial’s Joshua McMullen returned an interception 100 yards for a touchdown on the final play of a 64-48 win over Reinhardt. The teams combined for 112 points and exactly 1,000 yards of offense in the Lions’ third win of the season.
Eight Carries, 173 Yards
Rocky Mountain’s Ty Battle turned eight carries into 173 yards and two touchdowns in a 38-32 win over Montana Western. His scoring runs covered 85 and 57 yards, and three receptions pushed his total to 215 yards from scrimmage.
Aerial Law
Campbellsville has thrown 16 touchdown passes during its 4-0 start, tied for second-most in the NAIA. Justyce Law has thrown for 1,037 yards, while the Tigers rank fourth nationally with 1,341 passing yards and are averaging 47.3 points per game.
#6 Grand View (3-1) at (RV) MidAmerica Nazarene (3-1), Noon CT
Grand View looks to rebound from its first regular-season loss since 2018 when it visits an MNU team that has won two straight. The Vikings have allowed just 8.8 points and 214.0 yards per game, while MNU enters at 3-1 after scoring 58 points in last week’s win at Clarke.
#15 McPherson (4-0) at Ottawa (Kan.) (3-1), Noon CT
McPherson takes its 4-0 record on the road after pulling away from then-No. 17 Evangel for a 40-14 win. Jalil Brown ranks second nationally at 162.7 rushing yards per game, while the Bulldogs pair the NAIA’s No. 2 offense at 559.3 yards per game with a top-ranked defense vs. gain at an NAIA-best 168.3 yards allowed.
#2 Montana Tech (4-0) at #3 College of Idaho (3-0), Noon MT
Two unbeaten Top-3 teams meet in a rematch of last season’s NAIA Football Championship Series quarterfinal, won 42-24 by College of Idaho. The Yotes average 53.0 points and 522.3 yards per game, while Montana Tech has held opponents to 7.8 points and 188.3 yards per contest. College of Idaho’s Caden Young accounted for six touchdowns last week, while Tech’s Jarrett Wilson threw four in a 58-10 win over Southern Oregon.
| By the Numbers | Montana Tech | College of Idaho |
|---|---|---|
| Coaches Poll | 2 | 3 |
| VSN Poll | 2 | 1 |
| NAIAFBALL Poll | 2 | 1 |
| Points Per Game | 41 | 53 |
| Points Allowed | 7.8 | 11.3 |
| Totall Offense | 440.0 | 522.3 |
| Yards Allowed | 188.3 | 221.0 |
Dakota Wesleyan (3-1) at #18 Midland (4-0), 1 p.m. CT
The GPAC’s remaining unbeaten teams in conference play meet with first place on the line. Midland improved to 4-0 with a 28-16 win at then-No. 13 Northwestern, while DWU moved to 3-1 with a 37-3 win over Briar Cliff. Midland QB Brodey Johnson ranks second in the NAIA with 16 touchdown passes.
#7 Morningside (3-1) at Mount Marty (2-2), 1 p.m. CT
Morningside visits one of the NAIA’s top passing attacks, led by Rugby Ryken’s 1,382 yards and national receiving leader Moshe Richmond’s 597. MMU counters with Tyler Smith, who accounted for 404 yards in a 35-31 win over Dordt.
#12 Lindsey Wilson (3-1) at Union Commonwealth (0-3), 2:30 p.m. ET
Two Kentucky programs with strong NAIA traditions meet in Barbourville. Lindsey Wilson looks to rebound from its first loss behind an offense averaging 55.0 points and 9.5 yards per play, while Union Commonwealth seeks its first win.
(RV) Cumberlands (4-0) at #1 Keiser (1-1), 3 p.m. ET
Keiser returns from an open week for its first game since moving to No. 1, hosting 4-0 Cumberlands. The Patriots average 41.0 points per game and have rushed for 978 yards, while Keiser has limited opponents to 14.0 points and 255.0 yards per game through two contests.
#8 Friends (4-0) at #24 Evangel (3-1), 6 p.m. CT
Friends takes a 4-0 record to Evangel behind an offense averaging an NAIA-best 67.8 points per game. The Falcons have rushed for 1,800 yards and 25 touchdowns, while Evangel’s Matt Allen leads the NAIA in completion percentage (84.4%) and pass efficiency (230.9).
Oklahoma Panhandle State (2-2) at #20 Louisiana Christian (3-1), 6 p.m. CT
Louisiana Christian returns to NAIA competition after splitting two games against NCAA Division I opponents. The Wildcats are 2-0 in the SAC and average 46.8 points and 479.0 yards per game, with 25 touchdowns through four games.
#13 Carroll (2-1) at Rocky Mountain (1-2), 6 p.m. MT
An in-state matchup marks Rocky Mountain’s home opener, with first-year head coach Randy Bandelow facing his former program. Both teams enter off wins, including Rocky’s 38-32 upset of then-No. 21 Montana Western behind Ty Battle’s 173 rushing yards.
In the next three weeks, just under 450 NAIA Women’s Volleyball matches will take place. Only 24 of those matches are Top 25 vs Top 25. Teams continue their pursuit of an automatic bid with about a month till conference tournaments start taking shape. See you on the court! *Click the grey bars below to […]
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) has expanded the partnership with Big Game, naming the company the inaugural, Official Ball partner of NAIA Women’s Flag Football. With the expanded partnership, the company will officially be the NAIA’s first-ever women’s flag football partner. While Big Game has been the Official Men’s […]
The world of sport is a connector. It brings people together, creates common ground and provides a platform for opportunities and impact that extend far beyond the competition itself. Ian attended a Grace men’s soccer camp hoping to learn more about the sport, but his experience with the Lancers gave him much more than that. […]
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Southern Oregon climbed one spot to No. 2 and picked up two first-place votes in the latest NAIA Men’s Cross Country Coaches’ Top 25, while Cumberlands (Ky.) remained No. 1 with 17 first-place votes and 528 points. SOU shared the No. 2 position with Indiana Wesleyan at 504 points, while The […]