(Ann Arbor, MI) After reaching the NAIA playoffs for their fifth straight season and winning back-to-back conference titles, the Concordia football program is set to play yet another competitive schedule in 2022. In what will be head coach Joshua Schumacher's sixth season at the helm, the Cardinals have their sights on another appearance in the NAIA FCS playoffs. Concordia hosted their first ever playoff game last season, defeating St. Xavier and advancing to the quarterfinals for the third time in program history. The "Dirty Birds" finished the 2021 season ranked 6th in the NAIA. The 2022 schedule features many familiar faces along with a NCAA FCS opponent to kick off the season.
Concordia will begin its 2022 campaign against NCAA Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) Stetson University. The Cardinals will travel down to Deland, Florida, to take on the Hatters on September 3rd. This is the first meeting between the two teams, and the second time the Cardinals have faced off against an FCS opponent, with the other time being Wagner back in 2016.
Next the Cardinals will have a pair of MSFA Midwest crossover games as they host St. Ambrose and play at Roosevelt. Concordia played both teams last season defeating St. Ambrose 34-14 and Roosevelt 16-14. The Fighting Bees will be Concordia's home opener on September 10th and the Cards will go to Arlington Heights, Illinois the following weekend on September 17th.
The Cardinals will have a bye in the last weekend of September before entering MSFA Mideast play. They will begin the conference portion of their season at Indiana Wesleyan on October 1st. The Wildcats are currently ranked 17th in the NAIA polls after earning a share of the MSFA Mideast title with Concordia and Marian last season. The Cardinals defeated Indiana Wesleyan at home last season with a game winning drive and late defensive stand.
Next up for the Cardinals will be Siena Heights on October 8th. The rivalry game will take place in Adrian this season after Concordia won the matchup last season 20-10. Concordia has now won the last seven meetings between the two teams.
The Cards will travel to Taylor University on October 15th for another MSFA Mideast bout. Last season's matchup led to a 28-21 Cardinal win.
On October 22nd the Marian Knights will come to town for a top-10 matchup. Marian currently sits just ahead of Concordia in the NAIA polls at 5th after being named MSFA Mideast Co-Champions along with Concordia and Indiana Wesleyan last season. The Cards will be seeking revenge as the Knights were Concordia's lone conference loss last season.
The Cardinals will stay at home for an October 29th game versus Lawrence Tech. The Blue Devils will be in their fourth year in the MSFA in 2022. Last year's meeting led to a 42-21 Cardinal win.
Another newer face in the conference, Madonna, will host Concordia on November 5th. The Crusaders are still in search of their first non-forfeit win and fell to the Cardinals 58-6 in 2021.
Rounding out Concordia's regular season schedule will be Saint Francis (IN). The Cougars will be making the trek up to Ann Arbor on November 12th. For the first time since 2014, the Cardinals faced an unranked Saint Francis team last season, winning the game 37-7. Concordia has now won the last two meetings and will look to make it three in their regular season finale.
Stay up to date with Concordia football news and schedule updates at concordiacardinals.com and follow the team on Twitter and Instagram.
