Week six is in the books for Iowa’s twelve NAIA/D2/ FCS football programs that we cover, and our Preseason Power Rankings are part chalk and also moving. The big game this weekend is Northwestern College @ Morningside. It is 39 miles Campus to Campus for these two NAIA Football Superpower schools. Our advice is to get there early for the tailgate and inside when the gates open to get a good seat.
- Grand View (5-0) – No changes on the SGI throne as the top-ranked NAIA Vikings were on bye last weekend. They’ve got a stout Peru State this Thursday night, but they are well rested, and hungry to get back on the field.
- Drake (3-2) – Those “never say die” Bulldogs. They seldom held the lead over San Diego on Saturday, but they had more points on the scoreboard when clock struck zeroes. Look up the word “redemption” in the dictionary and you’ll find a picture of Harry Balke. After missing an extra point attempt in the fourth quarter, Balke canned a 55-yard field goal to put Drake ahead 19-16 as time expired, pushing their record 3-2 overall while staying unbeaten in Pioneer League play. They’re back at home against Davidson this Saturday.
- Morningside (5-1) – The NAIA #4 Ranked Mustangs had an uncharacteristic slow(-ish) start to their game against Dakota Wesleyan as the Tigers kept it a one-score game as late as the third quarter. A Jaylen Burch rushing touchdown made it 28-17 with a little over eight minutes to go in the third and then Drew Sellon scored via a punt return and pass from Zack Chevalier to push things out of reach. Chevalier found Kyle Sisler for a 26-yard score for good measure, as Morningside won 49-17 and moved to 5-1 on the year and remained undefeated in conference action. They’ve got a big one in Orange City this Saturday afternoon against archrival Northwestern.
- Dordt (5-0) – It was business as usual for the Defenders over the weekend as they overpowered Waldorf 59-7. A tip of the cap to Dordt – NAIA Ranked #10 -for getting a healthy number of reserves extensive action. Noah Strickfade completed just seven passes, but four of them were for touchdowns. Eliot Beal caught three of those passes and led the way with 109 receiving yards. Thomas Fitz toted the rock four times for 108 yards and two touchdowns on the ground as Waldorf had no answers for Dordt. They are set to host a solid Mount Marty team that is receiving votes in the NAIA Coaches Poll this weekend. Can they move to 6-0?
- Upper Iowa (4-2) – We touched on this last week on our Pick ‘Em Show: Truman State can score points, and they can do it in a hurry. That is what happened over the weekend against Upper Iowa, as our state’s favorite Division II team were on the wrong side of a 35-0 run and eventually lost 48-21 to TSU. The Peacocks allowed six touchdowns in eight red zone attempts and struggled to get off the
field on third down. This was their first setback in GLVC play, but they can’t afford any more losses if they want a conference title. They’ve got Southwest Baptist this Saturday at Harms-Eischeid Stadium
- William Penn (5-1) – The Statesmen were idle after their first loss of the year to the defending NAIA National Champion Grand View Vikings. A bye week should serve NAIA’s 25th-ranked team well after a gauntlet first half of the schedule. It’s homecoming in Oskaloosa this week against Missouri Baptist.
- Northwestern College (3-3) – The Red Raiders let out a few weeks of frustration out on a familiar face, Briar Cliff, on Saturday with a 28-0 shutout. Tanner Schouten caught touchdown passes from 35, 53, and 62 yards from Colby Duncan. Duncan tallied 358 yards of total offense and found the end zone on the ground as the Northwestern defense allowed just 226 yards of total offense to the Chargers. The performance was good enough for Northwestern to leapfrog The Cliff in the rankings.
- Briar Cliff (4-3) – There isn’t much that needs to be repeated here. Briar Cliff was beaten by the big play defensively and couldn’t move the ball offensively. Their next challenge is on the road against Midland University, who is receiving votes in the NAIA Coaches Poll.
- Clarke (1-5) – The Pride were on bye last week and it comes at a good time as they were pummeled by Peru State on October 4, 54-0. It is homecoming at Dalzell Field this Saturday in Dubuque as Clarke hosts a pesky Culver-Stockton team.
- Graceland (2-3) – Graceland was also on bye, and the Yellow Jackets will travel to Davenport to play…
- St. Ambrose (1-5) – … the Bees at Jack and Pat Bush Stadium for St. Ambrose’ homecoming. St. Ambrose is yet another team who was on bye last weekend. Which team will do the most stinging?
- Waldorf (0-7) – Waldorf suffered their seventh loss of the year against Dordt 59- Derrick Taylor found Angel Ruiz for an 18-yard touchdown late in the third quarter to prevent the shutout. The team from Tree Town is off this week.
The season is far from over, with teams in the mid-range having a lot of opportunities to move up, yet this fall.
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