Contact: Nicholas Osterloo, Director of Athletics Communication, 630-637-5324

D3football.com Top 25 Rankings - Week 9
AFCA DIII Top 25 Rankings - Week 9

Nov. 1, 2025 - Tightening its grip on national rankings, the North Central College football team is the unanimous top team in NCAA Division III by earning all possible first-place votes from both the D3football.com Top 25 and the American Football Coaches Association.

The Cardinals defeated Carroll University 64-7 on Saturday, improving to 8-0 on the year and 7-0 in conference play. For the second straight week, North Central scored an offensive, defensive and special teams touchdown. 

Nationally, North Central is first in scoring offense (57.5 points per game), team passing efficiency (218.95) and fourth down conversion percentage (87.5%). The Cardinals rank second in defensive touchdowns scored (5) and third in scoring defense (7.4 points allowed per game).

Behind the Cardinals in both polls are the University of Mount Union and Johns Hopkins University. D3football.com has Bethel University and Hardin-Simmons University at No. 4 and No. 5, respectively. The AFCA ranks Salisbury University at No. 4 with Hardin-Simmons at No. 5.

North Central wraps up its regular-season road slate Saturday with a noon kickoff at Elmhurst's Langhorst Field. The Cardinals have dominated the series, winning 25 consecutive matchups against the Bluejays, including last year's 70-7 rout.