(Ann Arbor, MI) – Concordia football is preparing to kick off the fall 2021 season with high expectations. Ranked #6 in the preseason NAIA Football FirstDown Playbook Top 25 poll, the Cardinals will be looking to build off their first ever MSFA Mideast Division title from last year. CUAA will have the shortest turnaround in school history after competing in the spring last year due to the pandemic. 5th-year head coach Joshua Schumacher will be looking to take the program even farther this year.
2020-21 Season Review
Concordia went 6-1 last year, turning in a perfect 5-0 regular season for the first MSFA Mideast Division title in school history. Playing in the spring for the first time ever, the Cardinals downed rival Siena Heights 10-7 in their season opener. The team continued to pick up steam defeating both Marian and Saint Francis (IN) in the same year for the first time in school history. CUAA earned a trip to the playoffs and defeated Georgetown 21-7 in the first round. The Cardinals fell to eventual national champion Lindsey Wilson in the second round.
2021 Schedule Outlook
The Cardinals kick off the 2021 season by traveling to Iowa for a road contest at Saint Ambrose on September 11. Concordia will hold their home opener on September 18 when they play a crossover game against MSFA Midwest member #20 Roosevelt.
The Cardinals' 4-game homestand continues on October 2 when they begin MSFA Mideast play against Indiana Wesleyan. On October 9 the team will play a significant game when they host archrival Siena Heights. The homestand concludes on October 16 with a tilt against Taylor.
The Cardinals head on the road October 23 for a noteworthy game against Marian, currently ranked #9 in the nation. Concordia wraps up the month on October 30 with a road contest against Lawrence Tech.
CUAA returns to Ann Arbor for their final home game on November 6 with a matchup against Madonna. The Cardinals conclude the regular season on the road November 13 with a marquee MSFA Mideast tilt against #16 Saint Francis (IN).
If Concordia qualifies for the NAIA Playoffs, the first round will begin on November 20. The national championship is scheduled for December 18 with the host site still to be determined.
Concordia Personnel
On offense, redshirt freshman running back Keviontae Brown returns after rushing for 366 yards and a touchdown last year. Sophomore running back Dorian Edmond ran for 190 yards and 2 TDs last season. Senior tight end Luke Wilson led last year's squad with 291 receiving yards and 3 touchdowns. Junior Parker Graham recorded 277 receiving yards and 3 touchdowns. Junior Donovan Johnson notched 236 receiving yards and 3 touchdowns.
On defense, senior linebacker Hunter Maynard comes back after a team-leading 51 tackles last season. Sophomore linebacker Casey Rauch finished second with 49 tackles last year. Sophomore defensive back Conner Long notched 46 tackles and an interception. Graduate student linebacker Aaron Rahn had 43 tackles and an interception. Senior defensive end Andrew Foerster recorded 28 tackles along with 6.5 sacks.
On special teams, sophomore kicker Luis Gomez went 4-7 kicking field goals last year with a long of 36 yards and 18 PATs. In addition to his defensive duties, sophomore Casey Rauch notched 982 punt yards with a long of 65 yards. Sophomore Seeger DeGayner racked up 352 kickoff return yards and 2 TDs, setting a school record with a 96-yard return TD on the opening kickoff against Lindsey Wilson.
Preseason Polls
Concordia received the #6 ranking in the Preseason NAIA FirstDown Playbook Top 25 Poll. Fellow MSFA Mideast members Marian (#9) and Saint Francis (#16) were also ranked. In the MSFA Midwest, Olivet Nazarene (#10) and Roosevelt (#20) garnered rankings while Saint Xavier is receiving votes.
In the MSFA Mideast Preseason Coaches Poll, the Cardinals were narrowly picked to finish second in the division behind Marian. Concordia received 3 first-place votes and a total of 43 points compared to Marian's 47.
2020 Team Stats
Connect with the Cardinals
For the most updated information and news throughout the season follow Concordia Football on their social media platforms. The Cardinals are on Twitter (@CUAA_Football), Instagram (@cuaa.football), Facebook (@CUAAFootball), and Snapchat (@cuaafootball).
