The Top NAIA Football Matchups for Week 1

Hello, Justin from Draft Diamonds (@jrberendzen on Twitter) with my top 5 NAIA matchups of week one.

Northwestern College (Iowa) at Morningside University

Another battle between the Mustangs and Raiders again. Morningside is led offensively by senior quarterback Joe Dolincheck who held 4,783 passing yards and 44 passing touchdowns last season. Senior defensive back Noah Van’t Hof had 74 tackles, 3 PBUs, and 3 TFLs in 2021. Offensively for the Raiders, they have senior wide receiver Cade Moser who had 1,504 receiving yards and 21 touchdowns last season. The Mustangs defense has senior defensive back Lonell Boyd Jr who held 72 tackles, 7 PBUs, and 5 TFLs in 2021.

Texas Wesleyan University at Arizona Christian University

Texas Wesleyan comes to Arizona to meet Arizona Christian in what will be a test for both teams. The Firestorm offensively has Aidan Quinn senior running back who had 606 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns in 2021. For the Texas Wesleyan defense, they have redshirt junior defensive back Elijah Hall who had 39 tackles, 6 interceptions, and 5 PBUs last season. Offensively the Rams have their returning quarterback Dalton Dale who had 1,999 passing yards and 24 touchdown passes in 2021. Senior defensive lineman Jake Farrell had 42 tackles, 12 TFLs, and 10.5 sacks last season for Arizona Christian.

Bethel University(Tennessee) at Reinhardt University

In a matchup of 2 teams who won in week 0, this one figures to be intriguing. Reinhardt junior running back Devyn Collins is the one to watch on offense for the Eagles he had 93 rushing yards and 3 touchdowns in Reinhardt’s huge win over Faulkner week 0. For the Wildcat’s defense, they have Jakobe Griffin senior linebacker who had 102 total tackles in 2021 and had 10 tackles in their first game against Arkansas Baptist. The standout in the first game for Bethel’s offense was JD Dixon sophomore wide receiver who had 120 receiving yards and 2 touchdowns. Defensively for Reinhardt, they have redshirt sophomore defensive lineman Jon Perry who had 41 tackles, 5 TFLs, and 3.5 sacks last season.

Georgetown College (Kentucky) at Bluefield University

I think that this is an under-the-radar matchup. The Tigers have senior linebacker Chad Holleran who had 71 tackles, 11 TFLs, and 3 sacks in 2021. Bluefield offensively has 5th-year wide receiver JaQuan Ebron who had 1,406 receiving yards and 16 touchdowns last season. Defensively for the Rams, they have grad defensive back KeDarrius Phinazee who had 76 tackles and 5 interceptions in 2021.

MidAmerica Nazarene University at Culver-Stockton College

This matchup I just found to be intriguing because of how well MidAmerica Nazarene played week 0 and just finding out really where teams are because I think Culver-Stockton can rebound. MidAmerica Nazarene senior defensive back Troy Hall is the one to watch he had 1 interception week 0 and last season had 67 tackles and 6 interceptions. Offensively for Culver-Stockton, they have sophomore wide receiver Slayton Ochoa who had 54 receiving yards and 1 touchdown in Culver-Stockton’s first game. For the Wildcat’s defense, they have junior defensive back David Hernandez who had 11 tackles and an interception in week 0. Offensively for the Pioneers, they have sophomore quarterback Adrian Parsons who threw for 418 passing yards and 5 touchdown passes in the first game held in week 0.