KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The Northwestern football team has been ranked No. 2 in the NAIA football preseason top 25, presented by GoRout.
The Raiders advanced to their third national championship game in four seasons in 2023, finishing as runners-up to Keiser (Fla.). Northwestern closed the year ranked No. 1 in the final poll. Heading into the title game, they were winners of 27 straight. Northwestern has not lost a regular season contest since September 3, 2022.
Northwestern looks to replicate its success again this year, led on offense by returning All-American Konner McQuillan and his 28 total touchdowns. Offensively, the Raiders led the country in total offense with 6,347 yards, an average of 423.1 yards per game. A brick-wall defense also led the team to victory on multiple occasions, finishing the year sixth in the NAIA in points per game allowed (15.5) and tied for fourth in interceptions (21). All-American Cody Moser led the team and the country in picks with 10.
Keiser was ranked in the top spot, receiving 14 of the 16 first-place votes. Northwestern, in second, received the remaining two votes. In third was Georgetown (Ky.) followed by College of Idaho and Grand View (Iowa).
Northwestern has been in the top 25 in 87 consecutive ratings dating back to August 7, 2017, which is fifth among active streaks.
GPAC IN THE TOP 25
No. 2 Northwestern Red Raiders
No. 10 Morningside Mustangs
No. 13 Dordt Defenders
| RANK | LAST TIME | INSTITUTION [FIRST-PLACE VOTES] | POINTS |
| 1 | 3 | Keiser (Fla.) [14] | 349 |
| 2 | 1 | Northwestern (Iowa) [2] | 337 |
| 3 | 4 | Georgetown (Ky.) | 310 |
| 4 | 10 | College of Idaho | 308 |
| 5 | 2 | Grand View (Iowa) | 291 |
| 6 | 6 | Indiana Wesleyan | 274 |
| 7 | 5 | Marian (Ind.) | 253 |
| 8 | 7 | Bethel (Tenn.) | 245 |
| 9 | 10 | Saint Xavier (Ill.) | 242 |
| 10 | 10 | Morningside (Iowa) | 236 |
| 11 | 8 | Montana Western | 227 |
| 12 | 15 | St. Thomas (Fla.) | 179 |
| 13 | 14 | Dordt (Iowa) | 171 |
| 14 | 9 | Evangel (Mo.) | 159 |
| 15 | 16 | Dickinson State (N.D.) | 149 |
| 16 | 13 | OUAZ (Ariz.) | 125 |
| 17 | 20 | Baker (Kan.) | 107 |
| 18 | 18 | Reinhardt (Ga.) | 101 |
| 19 | 25 | Benedictine (Kan.) | 95 |
| 20 | 19 | Lindsey Wilson (Ky.) | 88 |
| 21 | 17 | Montana Tech | 82 |
| 22 | 21 | Louisiana Christian | 44 |
| 23 | 22 | MidAmerica Nazarene (Kan.) | 32 |
| 24 | 23 | Friends (Kan.) | 28 |
| 24 | NR | Kansas Wesleyan | 28 |
Receiving Votes: Southern Oregon 26; Carroll (Mont.) 21; Concordia (Mich.) 13; Ottawa (Kan.) 2; Pikeville (Ky.) 2
Northwestern opens its new season on the road, facing the Hastings Broncos on Saturday, September 7 at 1:00 p.m.
