Top NAIA Football Matchups of Week 7

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

Langston University at Texas Wesleyan University 

Could be a really interesting SAC conference matchup. Texas Wesleyan’s offense has sophomore running back Earnest Caesar III who has 685 rushing yards and 8 touchdowns this season. Defensively for the Lions they have sophomore defensive back Travis Martin who has 8 tackles, 4 PBUs and 4 interceptions in 2022. The Langston offense has senior running back Markell Scott who has 607 rushing yards and 7 touchdowns this season. Defensively for the Rams they have junior defensive lineman Kobe Adams who has 28 tackles, 16 TFLs and 6.5 sacks in 2022. 

Bethel College (KS) at Avila University 

Another interesting matchup. Avila’s offense is led by senior running back Malik Nesbitt who has 434 rushing yards and 5 touchdowns in 2022. Defensively for the Threshers they have senior linebacker Kade Miller who has 49 tackles, 13 TFLs and 2 PBUs this season. Bethel’s offense has senior wide receiver Brayden Francis who has 233 receiving yards and 3 touchdowns in 2022. Defensively for the Eagles they have senior linebacker Nik Furlow who has 34 tackles, 8.5 TFLs and 3 forced fumbles this season.

Waldorf University at Dickinson State University 

We have a North Star athletic association matchup here. The Blue Hawks offense has senior running back Riley Linder who has 445 rushing yards and 4 touchdowns this season. Defensively for the Warriors they have senior defensive back MaCoy Yeakel who has 25 tackles, 4 PBUs and 2 interceptions in 2022. Waldorf’s offense has senior wide receiver Malik Adams who has 553 receiving yards and 7 touchdowns this season. Defensively for Dickinson State they have sophomore defensive back Jayden Heartwell who has 29 tackles, 4 interceptions and 2 forced fumbles in 2022.

Tabor College at Southwestern College (KS) 

Blue Jays against the Moundbuilders in this one. Southwestern College’s offense has senior tight end Layke Hoffman who has 277 receiving yards and 3 touchdowns in 2022. Defensively for the Blue Jays they have senior defensive back Gunnar Reiss who has 15 tackles, 5 PBUs and 3 interceptions this season. Tabor College’s offense has sophomore wide receiver Jarrod Favors who has 222 receiving yards and 2 touchdowns in 2022. Defensively for the Moundbuilders they have senior linebacker Josh Carter who has 60 tackles and 9.5 TFLs this season.

Reinhardt University at Bluefield University 

Sets up to hopefully be a competitive matchup. Bluefield is led offensively by 5th year wide receiver JaQuan Ebron who has 677 receiving yards and 8 touchdowns this season. Defensively for the Eagles they have sophomore defensive back Tyler Hallum who has 19 tackles and 10 PBUs in 2022. Reinhardt’s offense is led by junior running back Devyn Collins who has 445 rushing yards and 9 touchdowns this season. Defensively for the Rams they have junior defensive back Tyrese Wolfe who has 31 tackles, 8 PBUs and 4 interceptions in 2022.