Raiders Ranked No. 15 in NAIA Poll

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – With two games played in the 2025 season, the Red Raider football team has been ranked No. 15 in the NAIA Coaches' Poll, presented by Netting Professionals.

Northwestern is out to a 1-1 start on the year, opening the season with a 40-0 win over Waldorf and then falling 24-14 at Mount Marty. Tanner Schouten and Carson Ness have led the offense so far, picking up 173 and 163 yards, respectively. Solomon Tea has led the ground game with 113 total yards and two touchdowns. Defensively, Jaelin Hines leads the Raiders with 15 tackles, while Jaxson Hildebrand leads the defense with 3.0 tackles for loss and two sacks.

Grand View (Iowa) and Keiser (Fla.) stayed in the top two spots, while Benedictine (Kan.), Morningside, and Indiana Wesleyan rounded out the top five.

Northwestern has been in the top 25 in 100 consecutive ratings dating back to August 7, 2017, which ranks fourth in the NAIA. Four GPAC teams rank in the top 25 in Northwestern, Concordia, Dordt, and Morningside.

GPAC IN THE TOP 25
No. 4 Morningside Mustangs
No. 15 Northwestern Red Raiders
No. 17 Dordt Defenders
No. 23 Concordia Bulldogs
The Raiders are on the road this week, facing Dakota Wesleyan on Saturday at 1:00 p.m.

Don't forget to follow Northwestern College Athletics on Facebook @nwcraiders, Twitter @nwcraiders, and Instagram @nwcraiders! #RaidersStandOut

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Players Mentioned

#26 Jaxson Hildebrand: DL; 6' 2"; Sophomore

#8 Tanner Schouten: WR; 6' 4"; Senior

#1 Solomon Tea: RB; 5' 10"; Redshirt Freshman

#29 Jaelin Hines: LB; 5' 11"; Junior

#5 Carson Ness: WR; 6' 2"; Freshman

Players Mentioned

#26 Jaxson Hildebrand
: 6' 2"; Sophomore
: DL

#8 Tanner Schouten
: 6' 4"; Senior
: WR

#1 Solomon Tea
: 5' 10"; Redshirt Freshman
: RB

#29 Jaelin Hines
: 5' 11"; Junior
: LB

#5 Carson Ness
: 6' 2"; Freshman
: WR