Raiders Enter Football Season in Top 25

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The Northwestern football team has been ranked No. 24 in the preseason edition of the NAIA Coaches' Top 25, presented by Netting Professionals.

Northwestern compiled a 6-4 overall record last season and finished in a tie for fourth in the GPAC standings. Quarterback Colby Duncan is back to lead the offense after throwing for 1,789 yards and 14 touchdowns and rushing for 529 yards and five scores. The Raider defense owned the top scoring defense in the NAIA, allowing only 126 total points and 12.6 per game. Despite graduating the 2025 GPAC Defensive Player of the Year in Trystin Voss, Northwestern returns 15 players from its final defensive two-deep of the season, highlighted by the team's tackling leader Jackson Smythe (72).
Six all-conference picks return to the gridiron for the Raiders, including Second Team All-American Kylar Fritz. Other returning All-GPAC players include Jordan Carter, Jackson Smythe, Gianna Bennett, Colby Duncan, and Korver Hupke.

Two-time defending national champion Grand View (Iowa) led the poll, followed by Keiser (Fla.), Benedictine (Kan.), College of Idaho, and Montana Tech in the top five.

The Raiders will face off against three teams represented in the top 25, all in conference matchups.

GPAC IN THE TOP 25
No. 7 Morningside Mustangs
No. 8 Dordt Defenders
No. 24 Northwestern Red Raiders
RV Concordia Bulldogs

Northwestern kicks off its season on Thursday at Western Illinois. Kickoff is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. in Macomb, Illinois and on ESPN+.

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

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Players Mentioned

#10 Gianna Bennett: K; 6' 1"; Redshirt Freshman

#1 Jordan Carter: DB; 5' 9"; Redshirt Freshman

#2 Colby Duncan: QB; 6' 2"; Sophomore

#0 Kylar Fritz: DB; 6' 2"; Junior

#77 Korver Hupke: OL; 6' 3"; Junior

#27 Jackson Smythe: LB; 6' 0"; Sophomore

#5 Trystin Voss: DL; 6' 3"; Senior

Players Mentioned

#10 Gianna Bennett
: 6' 1"; Redshirt Freshman
: K

#1 Jordan Carter
: 5' 9"; Redshirt Freshman
: DB

#2 Colby Duncan
: 6' 2"; Sophomore
: QB

#0 Kylar Fritz
: 6' 2"; Junior
: DB

#77 Korver Hupke
: 6' 3"; Junior
: OL

#27 Jackson Smythe
: 6' 0"; Sophomore
: LB

#5 Trystin Voss
: 6' 3"; Senior
: DL