(Ann Arbor, MI) – Concordia football is ready to embark on its 2022 campaign as the team continues to have high expectations. Ranked #6 in the preseason NAIA poll and picked to win the MSFA Mideast Division again, the Cardinals are primed for another championship run. CUAA advanced to the second round of the NAIA playoffs last year, downing Saint Xavier in the first home playoff game in school history before falling to #3 Grand View. 6th-year head coach Joshua Schumacher will be at the helm once again this season.
2021 Season Review
Concordia finished 9-2 overall last year. The Cardinals started the season 5-0, picking up victories over #16 Roosevelt and #11 Indiana Wesleyan along the way. The team suffered a defeat at #11 Marian, but after three more victories they moved to 8-1 and claimed the title of MSFA Mideast Co-Champions.
The Cardinals held the first home NAIA playoff game in school history, defeating MSFA Midwest champion #11 Saint Xavier 38-13. Concordia advanced to the second round at #3 Grand View, falling 31-16 after a solid season.
2022 Schedule Outlook
Concordia will open the year with a noteworthy game at NCAA FCS member Stetson on September 3 at 6 pm. The Cardinals will hold their home opener against Saint Ambrose on September 10 in an MSFA crossover game. CUAA will then play another MSFA crossover on the road at Roosevelt on September 17 before recovering with a bye week on September 24.
The new month starts with a key MSFA Mideast game at #14 Indiana Wesleyan on October 1. The Cardinals' traditional rivalry game against Siena Heights will be on the road on October 8. A 3-game road trip concludes on October 15 with a match at Taylor. Concordia will return home on October 22 for a critical MSFA Mideast game against #5 Marian. The team will remain at home the following week for a home contest against Lawrence Tech.
Concordia will travel to Madonna on November 5 to open the new month. The regular-season slate concludes on November 12 with a home game against Saint Francis (IN).
Preseason Polls
Concordia earned the #6 ranking in the Preseason NAIA FirstDown Playbook Top 25 Poll. MSFA Mideast members Marian and Indiana Wesleyan were ranked #5 and #14 respectively. In the MSFA Midwest, Saint Xavier checked in at #11 while Saint Francis (IL) finished #25.
Concordia was picked to finish first in the MSFA Mideast division in the MSFA preseason coaches' poll. The Cardinals received 4 first-place votes (44 points) followed closely by Marian with 3 first-place votes (43 points). Indiana Wesleyan received one first-place vote (39 points).
Concordia Personnel
2021 Team Stats
