(Ann Arbor, MI) Concordia football is set to play yet another competitive schedule in the fall of 2023. In what will be head coach Joshua Schumacher's seventh season at the helm, the Cardinals have their sights on another appearance in the NAIA FCS playoffs. Concordia will also look to defend Ferry Field at Cardinal Stadium in their five home games throughout the season, as they have won 29 of the last 30 games played on their home turf. The 2023 schedule features games against many familiar faces along with a NCAA DII opponent as well.
The Cardinals will kick off their season with a home game against Taylor University on September 2nd. Concordia currently holds the series record 6-5 over the Taylor, but the Trojans were able to take the most recent matchup in Upland last season.
The next two weeks will feature a pair of MSFA Midwest crossover games. Olivet Nazarene will host Concordia on September 9th for the sixth meeting between the two teams. The Cards have won the last four matchups, with the most recent game taking place in 2019. The Tigers finished the season with a 7-4 record, winning the NCCAA Victory Bowl to conclude their season.
Concordia will play host on September 16th for another crossover game against Judson. 2023 will be Judson's third season as a program and will be their second clash with the Cardinals. Concordia came out on top in the first meeting in 2021, by a score of 35-20.
The Cards will have a bye week before taking the short trip to Tom Adams Field for a first ever bout with NCAA DII Wayne State. Under Head Coach Joshua Schumacher's tenure, the Cardinals are 3-0 against NCAA DII opponents with wins over Davenport, Malone, and Kentucky Wesleyan. The Warriors finished last season with a 1-7 record, playing in the competitive GLIAC conference.
Entering the heart of MSFA Mideast play, the Cardinals will travel to Lawrence Tech on October 7th. Concordia holds the series, 3-0, over the Blue Devils who went 3-7 last season.
October 14th will be a home matchup against the Knights from Marian. The Knights concluded last season as the 7th ranked team in the NAIA and a trip to the quarterfinals.
On October 21st, the Cardinals will take on Siena Heights for their Homecoming game. This will be the 12th meeting between the two rivals, with Concordia winning the last eight contests. In the most recent meeting, the Cardinals came back to win an overtime thriller in Adrian.
The Cardinals will be on the road the next two Saturdays, beginning with a game at Madonna. The Crusaders will be in their fourth full season as a program, having lost their first three matchups against Concordia.
Staying on the road, the Cards will travel to St. Francis (IN) on November 4th. The Cardinals have had the advantage as of late over the Cougars, winning 4 of the past 5 meetings. St. Francis finished last season with a 4-6 record.
Concordia will close out their regular season with a home game against Indiana Wesleyan. The Cardinals won the first three meetings between to the two sides, before the Wildcats won last season in the young series history. Indiana Wesleyan, the reigning MSFA Mideast Champions, ended the season ranked 5th in the NAIA after a trip to the semifinals.
Stay up to date with Concordia football news and schedule updates at concordiacardinals.com and follow the team on Twitter and Instagram.
