What to watch in week 8 of the NAIA | The Top 5 NAIA matchups week 8

Hello, Justin Berendzen (@jrberendzen on Twitter) with my top 5 NAIA matchups of week 8.

1.Faulkner University at Reinhardt University 

• We have one of the ranked matchups here and this one should be good. Reinhardt is led offensively by redshirt sophomore Devyn Collins who has 577 rushing yards and 8 touchdowns. Faulkner’s offense has redshirt sophomore wide receiver Isaiah Scott who has 381 receiving yards and 6 touchdowns. Reinhardt defensively has freshman defensive lineman Vertez Shorter who has 14 tackles, 5.5 TFLs and 4 sacks.

2.Dordt University at Morningside University 

• Another tough ranked matchup here. The Mustangs of Morningside are led offensively by their senior quarterback Joe Dolincheck who has 1,953 passing yards and 19 touchdowns. Dordt’s offense has senior wide receiver Levi Jungling who has 629 receiving yards and 7 touchdowns. Senior linebacker Tyler Wingert of the Mustangs is the one to watch defensively who has 55 tackles, 8 TFLs, 5 sacks and 2 interceptions.

3.Langston University at Ottawa University (AZ)

• The Lions of Langston come to meet the Spirit of OUAZ in this ranked matchup. Watch out for OUAZ senior running back Marcelous Chester-Riley who has 650 rushing yards and 8 touchdowns on the season. Langston’s offense is led by grad running back Ger’Kerry Jackson who has 530 rushing yards and 3 touchdowns. One to watch defensively for OUAZ is senior defensive back Kevon Owens who has 21 tackles and 5 PBUs.

4.University of Montana Western at College of Idaho 

• College of Idaho just dropped out of the rankings but I expect a tough game here. The College of Idaho offense has senior running back Nick Calzaretta who has 688 rushing yards and 8 touchdowns. As for Montana Western’s offense, they have redshirt junior quarterback Jon Jund who has 1,903 passing yards and 17 touchdowns. Defensively for the College of Idaho they have a straight stud in junior linebacker Dylan Martinez who has 62 tackles, 8.5 TFLs, 2.5 sacks, 2 forced fumbles and 4 PBUs.

5.Dickinson State University at Valley City State University 

• Should be a fun interesting matchup between these two teams as Dickinson State is an offensive team and Valley City State is a defensive team. Valley City State is led defensively by freshman linebacker Riley Gerhardt who has 58 tackles, 13 TFLs, 7 sacks, 3 PBUs, and 2 forced fumbles. The Blue Hawks of Dickinson State are led offensively by senior wide receiver Tyger Frye who has 537 receiving yards and 5 touchdowns. When Valley City State does well offensively good chance it will be involving sophomore running back Justice Bice who has 566 rushing yards and 3 touchdowns.