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

2025 AFCA Rankings - Jan. 5, 2026
 
Jan. 5, 2026 – Following a sixth straight NCAA Division III National Championship appearance and a runner-up finish in the 2025 Stagg Bowl, the North Central College football team wraps up the 2025 slate as the No. 2 team in the country according to the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) Division III Top 25 Poll released Monday.

The Cardinals fell 24-14 to the University of Wisconsin-River Falls Sunday night in the national title after being ranked No. 1 for the entirety of the season. North Central finished the 2025 season as Division III leaders in defensive touchdowns (7) and red zone defense (54.5%). Quarterback Garret Wilson led all players with a 197.8 passing efficiency while his top target Thomas Skokna's 23 touchdown catches lead Division III as well.

The national champion, UW-River Falls are ranked No. 1 in the final poll. John Carroll University, Johns Hopkins University and Bethel University round out the top five. On the year, North Central beat the No. 3, 5, 7 (Wheaton College), and 10 (UW-La Crosse) teams in the country.

North Central played in its sixth straight Stagg Bowl on the way to a 14-1 overall record. The Cardinals won the College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin for the fifth consecutive season. Skokna and John Sullivan were two of just 14 players in Division III to sweep the four All-America awards with Sullivan earning first team from all organizations. Head Coach Brad Spencer, who is 58-2 in his four seasons as head coach, earned three national coaching honors.