Jordan Williams running down the sideline
Steve Woltmann

Football

Football Remains On Top of DIII Polls Following Bye

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

Sept. 28, 2026 - Following a bye week, the North Central College football team remains the top-ranked team in both the D3football.com and American Football Coaches Association polls heading into Week 5 of the season.

The Cardinals are 3-0 following wins over No. 2 Bethel University and No. 9 Wartburg College in the first two weeks of the season. North Central opened College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin play with a 45-10 victory over North Park University.

Quarterback Garret Wilson has thrown for 846 yards and seven touchdowns while completing 64% of his passes. His top target this season has been David Ballard III, who has caught 18 passes for 329 yards. Jack Rummell has hauled in three touchdown passes, while Duke Guenther leads the Cardinals on the ground with 120 rushing yards.

Defensively, linebackers Matt Janiak (28) and Phillip Carlton Jr. (26) lead the Cardinals in tackles. Bobby Medina has tallied 2.5 sacks and six quarterback hurries, while Ethan Groark leads the team with two interceptions.

The University of Wisconsin-River Falls took over the No. 2 spot in both polls, earning multiple first-place votes in each. The Cardinals' Homecoming opponent, Wheaton College, comes in at No. 3. The University of Wisconsin-Platteville and St. John's University round out the top five in both polls.

North Central hosts Augustana College at Benedetti-Wehrli Stadium on Saturday, with kickoff set for 1 p.m. The Cardinals have won 19 straight games against the Vikings.
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Players Mentioned

David Ballard III

#5 David Ballard III

WR
5' 9"
Sophomore
Phillip Carlton Jr.

#28 Phillip Carlton Jr.

LB
5' 9"
Senior
Matt Janiak

#5 Matt Janiak

LB
5' 10"
Junior
Bobby Medina

#43 Bobby Medina

DL
6' 0"
Senior
Jack Rummell

#8 Jack Rummell

WR
6' 0"
Fifth Year
Garret Wilson

#15 Garret Wilson

QB
6' 3"
Junior
Ethan Groark

#4 Ethan Groark

DB
6' 1"
Fifth Year
Duke Guenther

#7 Duke Guenther

RB
5' 9"
Junior

Players Mentioned

David Ballard III

#5 David Ballard III

5' 9"
Sophomore
WR
Phillip Carlton Jr.

#28 Phillip Carlton Jr.

5' 9"
Senior
LB
Matt Janiak

#5 Matt Janiak

5' 10"
Junior
LB
Bobby Medina

#43 Bobby Medina

6' 0"
Senior
DL
Jack Rummell

#8 Jack Rummell

6' 0"
Fifth Year
WR
Garret Wilson

#15 Garret Wilson

6' 3"
Junior
QB
Ethan Groark

#4 Ethan Groark

6' 1"
Fifth Year
DB
Duke Guenther

#7 Duke Guenther

5' 9"
Junior
RB