Concordia University, Nebraska Football Ranked No. 21 in NAIA Preseason Poll

The Concordia University, Nebraska Football team will enter the 2025 season as one of the top-ranked programs in the NAIA, marking the first time since 2002 that the Bulldogs have held a preseason top 25 ranking. This achievement comes on the heels of an impressive 2024 campaign, where Concordia posted an 8-2 overall record and earned the winningest season for the program since 2001. Head Coach Patrick Daberkow, in his ninth season leading the Bulldogs, has retooled the offense with expected starting quarterback Gideon Stark at the helm.

Key Takeaways:

Concordia University, Nebraska Football has been ranked No. 21 in the NAIA Football Preseason Coaches' Poll, the first time since 2002 the team has held a top 25 ranking.
The 2024 season saw Concordia post an 8-2 overall record, the winningest season for the program since 2001.
Head Coach Patrick Daberkow enters his ninth season leading the Bulldogs and has retooled the offense with expected starting quarterback Gideon Stark.
The team welcomes back GPAC All-Conference honorees Carson Fehlhafer, Daylon Henson, Grant Huss, and Adam Van Cleave.
The Bulldogs appeared in the NAIA top 25 in each of the final four coaches' polls released during the 2024 season, peaking at No. 17 on November 17.
The No. 17 ranking is the highest for Concordia during Daberkow's tenure, eclipsing the previous high of No. 18 in the postseason poll.

Statistics:

2024 overall record: 8-2
2024 national ranking: peaked at No. 17 on November 17; settled at No. 18 in the postseason poll
Years of Patrick Daberkow as head coach: 9
NAIA top 25 appearances in 2024: 4
Number of GPAC All-Conference honorees returning: 4
Concordia's highest ranking in the Daberkow era: No. 17 on November 17

Sources:

Concordia University Athletics news release, Aug. 25
2025 NAIA Football Preseason Coaches' Poll
2024 NAIA coaches' poll rankings: Nov. 4, Nov. 11, Nov. 17, Jan. 6