(Ann Arbor, MI) – Concordia football will be making an appearance in the NAIA playoffs for the 5th straight season. After downing Saint Francis (IN) 37-7 last week, the Cardinals locked up an MSFA Mideast Division co-championship. CUAA received the #8 seed and will host a playoff game for the first time in school history, bringing in #11 seed Saint Xavier.
Last week the Cougars locked up the MSFA Midwest division title with a 26-20 overtime win over Saint Francis (IL). Saint Xavier leads the all-time series 3-2, but the Cardinals won the most recent meeting with a 42-35 win in 2019. A win would advance Concordia to the second round in back-to-back years.
Game Details
Statistical Breakdown
Personnel Matchups
Saint Xavier at a glance
Saint Xavier enters the contest 8-2 overall. The Cougars closed the year on a 5-game winning streak, earning a 26-20 overtime win over Saint Francis (IL) to lock up a co-championship in the MSFA Midwest and secure an automatic bid. Saint Xavier's two losses on the year came in a 34-10 loss to NCAA Division II University of Indianapolis and a 45-38 defeat against then-#13 Olivet Nazarene. Mike Feminis enters his 23rd year at the helm of the program.
Player of the Week Honors
Aaron Rahn was named Defensive Player of the Week at both the MSFA Mideast and NCCAA level. The graduate student linebacker racked up 10 total tackles including 1.5 sacks and 1.5 tackles for loss in last week's 37-7 win over Saint Francis. Rahn also notched an interception in the endzone to prevent the Cougars from scoring before halftime.
NAIA Football FirstDown Playbook Top 25 Poll
Concordia moved up one spot to #8 in the final edition of the NAIA Coaches Poll. Indiana Wesleyan improved to #5 and Marian jumped one spot to #7. In the MSFA Midwest Saint Xavier improved two spots to #12 after their overtime win. Saint Francis (IL) was dropped from the top 25 after the loss but was still receiving votes.
NAIA Playoff Bracket
(courtesy of the NAIA at www.facebook.com/PlayNAIA/videos/957907908268487/)
