KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Two teams entered the STADIONIC NAIA Football National Selection Committee (NSC) Top 15 Poll, while eight held their positions in the second edition, released Nov. 3. Southwestern (Kan.) (8-1) and Keiser (Fla.) (6-2) joined the Top 15, claiming the final two spots in Tuesday’s poll.
St. Thomas (Fla.) (9-0) remains No. 1 following a 76-0 victory over Thomas (Ga.), while unbeaten College of Idaho (8-0) holds at No. 2. Benedictine (Kan.) (9-1) remains at No. 3, while Morningside (Iowa) (8-1) and Montana Tech (8-1) exchange positions at Nos. 4 and 5, respectively.
Lindsey Wilson (Ky.) and Dordt (Iowa) made the largest moves, each climbing two positions to Nos. 9 and 11, respectively, while Northwestern (Iowa) moved up one spot to No. 13.
Accompanying this week’s NSC Poll, the NAIA also released its second Area Rating Committee (ARC) standings of the 2026 football season.
St. Thomas remained unbeaten with a 76-0 victory over Thomas (Ga.) on Oct. 31, its fourth consecutive game scoring at least 48 points. The Bobcats lead the NAIA in rushing defense (47.9 yards allowed per game), rank second in scoring defense (9.8) and own the nation’s best turnover margin at +18. Isaiah Lopez has rushed for 1,142 yards and 17 touchdowns, while Jay Gunta has made 14 field goals. St. Thomas hosts Webber International (Fla.) on Nov. 7.
College of Idaho extended its unbeaten season with a 61-7 victory at Arizona Christian. The Yotes rank third nationally in scoring (53.3 points per game), second in rushing offense (297.9 yards per game) and first in third-down conversion percentage (60%). Ryleigh Byington shares the NAIA lead with 20 rushing touchdowns as College of Idaho hosts Carroll (Mont.) on Nov. 7 in a matchup of Top 15 teams.
Benedictine defeated Missouri Valley 48-13 on Oct. 31, its ninth consecutive victory. The Ravens have scored at least 48 points in four straight games and rank fifth nationally in total scoring (430 points). Benedictine leads the NAIA with 18 interceptions and ranks fourth in rushing touchdowns with 34. Isaiah Hasten has five interceptions, one behind the national leaders. The Ravens visit Missouri Baptist on Nov. 7.
Morningside earned a 40-24 road victory over Midland (Neb.) on Oct. 31. The Mustangs rank second nationally in total offense (4,972 yards) and yards per game (552.4), while leading the NAIA with 294 first downs. They have thrown 30 touchdown passes, fourth nationally. Morningside travels to Hastings on Nov. 7 before closing the regular season against Briar Cliff (Iowa).
Montana Tech shut out Rocky Mountain (Mont.) 41-0 on Oct. 31, its second shutout in three games. The Orediggers rank second nationally in total defense (219.2 yards allowed per game), third in scoring defense (11.9) and third in rushing defense (77.3). Montana Tech has intercepted 15 passes, while kicker Casey Kautzman has converted 12 field goals. The Orediggers host Dickinson State on Nov. 7.
Marian defeated St. Francis (Ill.) 63-14 on Oct. 31, following a 73-6 victory over St. Mary-of-the-Woods the previous week. The Knights rank among the national leaders in scoring defense (14.1 points allowed per game), interceptions (17) and turnover margin (plus-17). Ashton Vogel has made 12 field goals, tied for third among the individual leaders provided. Marian travels to Saint Xavier (Ill.) on Nov. 7.
Indiana Wesleyan defeated Taylor 38-29 on Oct. 31 and continues to lead the NAIA in scoring offense (57.6 points per game) and total offense (604.0 yards per game). Quarterback Arjun Lothe ranks third nationally with 2,567 passing yards, second with 30 touchdown passes and first in passing efficiency (206.6). Ryan Whitwell has rushed for 1,257 yards and 18 touchdowns, while Blake Brumbaugh has 11 receiving touchdowns. The Wildcats host Saint Francis (Ind.) on Nov. 7.
Grand View held off William Penn (Iowa) 36-34 on Oct. 31, extending its winning streak to five games. The Vikings rank fourth nationally in rushing defense (81.2 yards allowed per game) and have produced three defensive touchdowns. Grand View also boasts a +8 turnover margin going into a Nov. 7 battle of unbeatens in the Heart North, at St. Ambrose (Iowa).
Lindsey Wilson defeated Cumberland (Tenn.) 35-14 on Oct. 31, following a 76-0 victory over Andrew. Running back Davontaye Saunders leads the NAIA with 1,309 rushing yards and 8.2 yards per carry, and shares the national lead with 20 rushing touchdowns. Saunders also ranks third in all-purpose yards with 1,447. The Blue Raiders rank eighth nationally in total defense (255.8 yards allowed per game) and host Bethel (Tenn.) on Nov. 7.
Campbellsville defeated Bethel (Tenn.) 51-7 on Oct. 31, its third consecutive victory since falling to Lindsey Wilson on Oct. 3. The Tigers rank seventh nationally in total offense per game (480.4 yards), tied for sixth in rushing yards per attempt (6.2) and 10th in scoring defense (14.4 points allowed per game). Campbellsville also owns a plus-12 turnover margin. The Tigers host Georgetown (Ky.) on Nov. 7
Dordt defeated Waldorf (Iowa) 80-14 on Oct. 31, its sixth consecutive victory. The Defenders rank seventh nationally in scoring offense (44.9 points per game) and lead the NAIA with a 100% red-zone scoring rate. Dordt also ranks second in fourth-down conversion percentage (75%) and has thrown just four interceptions. The Defenders visit Dakota Wesleyan (S.D.) on Nov. 7 before closing the regular season against Northwestern.
Carroll defeated Southern Oregon 38-7 on Oct. 31, its sixth consecutive victory. The Fighting Saints rank fifth nationally in scoring defense (13.3 points allowed per game), third in passing efficiency (196.7) and tied for seventh in yards per play (7.3). Carroll has thrown just three interceptions and owns a plus-10 turnover margin. The Fighting Saints travel to unbeaten College of Idaho on Nov. 7.
Northwestern defeated Dakota Wesleyan (S.D.) 38-3 on Oct. 31, extending its winning streak to six games. The Red Raiders have allowed just 30 points over their last four contests and rank third nationally in passing touchdowns (31). Northwestern also ranks third in first downs (260) and sixth in total offense (4,295 yards). Northwestern is idle Nov. 7 before hosting Dordt on Nov. 14.
Southwestern enters the Top 15 after defeating McPherson (Kan.) 27-24 on Oct. 31, one week after a 40-21 victory at Friends (Kan.). The Moundbuilders have won six consecutive games and rank seventh nationally in rushing offense (251.1 yards per game). Southwestern also ranks tied for second nationally with a plus-17 turnover margin and is tied for fifth with 16 interceptions. The Moundbuilders host Saint Mary (Kan.) on Nov. 7.
Keiser enters the Top 15 following a 30-13 victory over Ave Maria (Fla.) on Oct. 31, its second consecutive win. The Seahawks rank second nationally in passing defense (133.8 yards allowed per game) and have a plus-seven turnover margin. Keiser also leads the NAIA in gross punting average (44.3 yards) and ranks second in punt return average (23.3 yards). The Seahawks travel to Southeastern (Fla.) on Nov. 7.
Dropped out of the poll: Georgetown (Ky.), Louisiana Christian
A team’s ranking in the NAIA National Selection Committee (NSC) Poll does not guarantee qualification or selection to the NAIA Football Championship Series. Click here to view this week’s STADIONIC NAIA Football National Selection Committee Poll in the traditional grid format.
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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