KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Five teams from the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference (KCAC) were recognized in the latest edition of the
STADIONIC NAIA Football Coaches' Poll, the national office announced Monday.
Three teams from the conference were ranked in the Top 25, with two of those inside the Top 15. Friends University held firm at No. 8, while McPherson College moved up one spot to No. 14. Evangel University joined the Falcons and the Bulldogs in the Top 25, moving up from the "Receiving Votes" category to No. 25.
Kansas Wesleyan University and Southwestern College remained in the "Receiving Votes" category of the poll, which they have occupied for several consecutive editions of the poll.
The next edition of the
STADIONIC NAIA Football Coaches' Poll is scheduled to be released Monday, October 12.
TOP 10 CAPSULES
1. COLLEGE OF IDAHO
The Yotes improved to 5-0 with a Homecoming win over Simpson (Calif.). Rylie Byington has powered the ground game and ranks third in the NAIA with 12 rushing touchdowns while averaging 110 rushing yards per game.
2. KEISER (FLA.)
The Seahawks are 3-1 and rank fourth in the NAIA in scoring at 50 points per game while producing just under 500 yards of total offense per game. Keiser has also converted 91 percent of its fourth-down attempts and scored on 91 percent of its trips to the red zone.
3. INDIANA WESLEYAN
The Wildcats remained unbeaten at 5-0 after scoring 90 points Saturday – the most by an NAIA team since the 2019 season. The performance pushed IWU to second in the NAIA in scoring at 62.6 points per game, while its 663 yards of total offense per game lead the nation. Ryan Whitwell ranks third nationally with 817 rushing yards and shares the NAIA lead with 14 rushing touchdowns.
4. BENEDICTINE (KAN.)
The Ravens survived a challenge from a Top 25 opponent with a 34-32 win over Baker, which entered the game allowing the second-fewest points in the NAIA. Benedictine heads to Central Methodist on Saturday looking to improve to 2-0 in Heart South play.
5. GRAND VIEW (IOWA)
The Vikings rolled to a 66-13 Homecoming win over Clarke. Since falling to Benedictine two weeks ago, Grand View has scored 101 points while holding MidAmerica Nazarene and Clarke to 13 points in consecutive games. The Vikings allow just over 10 points per game and rank fourth in the NAIA in total defense at fewer than 238 yards allowed per game.
6. MONTANA TECH
The Orediggers rebounded with a Top 25 road win, defeating Dakota State 33-21 to improve to 5-1. Levi Torgerson leads the NAIA with 54 receptions, while Montana Tech allows fewer than 15 points per game and ranks fifth nationally in total defense at 241.7 yards allowed per game. The Orediggers allow just 63 rushing yards per game.
7. MORNINGSIDE (IOWA)
The Mustangs won by double digits for the second straight week in GPAC play, defeating Dakota Wesleyan 56-20 on Homecoming. Drew Sellon continues to be one of Morningside’s top offensive threats, totaling 643 receiving yards through six games.
8. FRIENDS (KAN.)
The Falcons continue to dominate on the ground, averaging more than 440 rushing yards per game with 34 of their 57 offensive touchdowns coming in the run game. Friends leads the NAIA at 66 points per game and hit that average exactly last week in a 66-42 win over Ottawa (Kan.).
9. ST. THOMAS (FLA.)
The Bobcats moved up one spot to No. 9 following a 46-13 road win at Ave Maria. STU improved to 5-0 with its best offensive performance of the season, producing 577 yards of total offense.
10. MARIAN (IND.)
The Knights returned to the Top 10 at 4-1 after holding an opponent to six points or fewer for the third time this season. Marian defeated Taylor 26-6, knocking off a team receiving votes in this week’s Top 25.
FULL TOP 25 RANKINGS
| RANK |
LAST |
INSTITUTION [FIRST-PLACE VOTES] |
RECORD |
| 1 |
T-1 |
College of Idaho [8] |
5-0 |
| 2 |
T-1 |
Keiser (Fla.) [4] |
3-1 |
| 3 |
3 |
Indiana Wesleyan |
5-0 |
| 4 |
4 |
Benedictine (Kan.) |
5-1 |
| 5 |
5 |
Grand View (Iowa) |
5-1 |
| 6 |
6 |
Montana Tech |
5-1 |
| 7 |
7 |
Morningside (Iowa) |
5-1 |
| 8 |
8 |
Friends (Kan.) |
6-0 |
| 9 |
10 |
St. Thomas (Fla.) |
5-0 |
| 10 |
11 |
Marian (Ind.) |
4-1 |
| 11 |
12 |
Lindsey Wilson (Ky.) |
5-1 |
| 12 |
13 |
Carroll (Mont.) |
4-1 |
| 13 |
9 |
Campbellsville (Ky.) |
4-1 |
| 14 |
15 |
McPherson (Kan.) |
6-0 |
| 15 |
17 |
Dordt (Iowa) |
3-2 |
| 16 |
19 |
Louisiana Christian |
5-1 |
| 17 |
18 |
Olivet Nazarene (Ill.) |
4-0 |
| 18 |
20 |
William Penn (Iowa) |
5-1 |
| 19 |
16 |
Midland (Neb.) |
5-1 |
| 20 |
21 |
Northwestern (Iowa) |
4-2 |
| 21 |
14 |
Southeastern (Fla.) |
3-1 |
| 22 |
24 |
Georgetown (Ky.) |
3-2 |
| 23 |
22 |
Dakota State (S.D.) |
4-2 |
| 24 |
23 |
Baker (Kan.) |
4-1 |
| 25 |
RV |
Evangel (Mo.) |
4-2 |
Dropped out of Top 25: Cumberland (Tenn.)
Receiving Votes: Cumberland (Tenn.), Cumberlands (Ky.), Florida Memorial, Kansas Wesleyan, MidAmerica Nazarene (Kan.), OUAZ (Ariz.), Southwestern (Kan.), Taylor (Ind.), Texas Wesleyan.
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
—KCAC—