NAIA Football Top 5 Matchups for Week 6

Hello Justin Berendzen here with my Top 5 matchups from October 5th,2024 and in this article I highlight players who I think will be making differences in these games.

1.Keiser University at Saint Thomas University-Florida

Interesting NAIA matchup in Florida. St.Thomas is led offensively by senior running back Rontavious Farmer who has 430 rushing yards and 5 rushing touchdowns this year. The Seahawks defense has 4th year defensive back Kensly Johnson who has 14 tackles and 6 PBUs in 2024. Keiser’s offense is led by fourth year running back Jaden Meizinger who has 265 rushing yards and 4 touchdowns this season. The Bobcats defense has sophomore defensive back Dallas Johnson who has 11 tackles, 4 PBUS and 2 TFLs this year.

2.Saint Xavier University (Illinois) at Indiana Wesleyan University

Cougars up against the Wildcats in this one. Indiana Wesleyan’s offense is led by junior wide receiver Isaac Smith who has 503 receiving yards and 8 receiving touchdowns this season. For the Cougars defense they have senior defensive back Bruce Pendleton III who has 13 tackles and 3 PBUS in 2024. Saint Xavier’s offense has graduate wide receiver Julian Smith who has 283 receiving yards and 2 touchdown receptions this season. The Wildcats defense has grad defensive back Neil Campbell who has 18 tackles, 6 PBUS and 2 interceptions in the 2024 season.

3.Southern Oregon University at Montana Tech University

Got a Frontier conference battle here. The Orediggers defense is led by junior defensive back Demario King who has 36 tackles, 5 PBUS and 1 interception this year. Southern Oregon’s offense has sophomore running back Gunner Yates who has 634 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns in 2024. The Raiders defense has junior defensive lineman Gabe Foster who has 12 tackles, 4 1/2 TFLS and 3 sacks this season. Offensively Montana Tech has senior running back Landers Smith who has 485 rushing yards and 5 rushing touchdowns this season.

4.Cumberland University (Tennessee) at Campbellsville University (Kentucky)

Two teams flying under the radar in this one. The Tigers offense has senior wide receiver Andre Siler who has 331 receiving yards and 4 receiving touchdowns this year. Cumberland has sophomore defensive back Kion Threalkill who has 10 tackles, 3 PBUs and 1 interception in 2024. The Phoenix offense has redshirt senior running back Jeremiah Bryant who has 292 rushing yards and 5 touchdowns this season. Defensively for Campbellsville they have sophomore safety Josiah Harris who has 16 tackles 2 PBUs and 2 interceptions this year.

5.Missouri Valley College at Baker University

This could be a fun NAIA matchup this coming weekend. Freshman wide receiver Gaige Warren has 181 receiving yards and 3 touchdowns this season for the Baker offense. Defensively for the Vikings they have senior defensive lineman Ethan Towers who has 13 tackles, 4.5 TFLs, and 3 sacks this year. Missouri Valley’s offense has sophomore running back Tavion Campbell who has 171 rushing yards and 2 rushing touchdowns in 2024. The Wildcats defense has junior linebacker Zac Kramer who has 40 tackles, 5 TFLs and 2 Interceptions this year.

Hula Bowl Contributor and Writer/Scout/Interviewer for Draft Diamonds since January 2020. You can find me on X at @jrberendzen and Instagram at justinberendzen