2025 GPAC Preseason Football Coaches’ Poll
SEWARD, Neb. – One year after sharing second place in the final league standings, Concordia University, Nebraska Football has been pegged at No. 4 in the 2025 GPAC Preseason Football Coaches’ Poll, released on Tuesday (Aug. 12) by the conference office. The Bulldogs gathered 68 points in the poll, falling in line behind Morningside, Northwestern and Dordt. Morningside is the reigning GPAC champion.
Head Coach Patrick Daberkow’s program returns GPAC All-Conference honorees in defensive lineman Carson Fehlhafer, safety Daylon Henson, linebacker Grant Huss and wide receiver Adam Van Cleave. The 2024 team broke through with an 8-2 overall record and final NAIA national ranking of 18th. Last season’s Concordia squad outscored opponents by a combined total of 385-184.
Under Daberkow, the Bulldogs have placed fourth or higher in the GPAC in three of the past four seasons. In 2024, Concordia outperformed its preseason GPAC coaches’ poll position of fifth. This preseason, the Bulldogs landed at No. 22 in the NAIA top 25 released by Victory Sports Network. The official NAIA preseason coaches’ poll is scheduled to be released on Aug. 25.
2025 GPAC Preseason Football Coaches’ Poll
(First-place votes in parentheses)
1. Morningside – 99 (9)
2. Northwestern – 89 (2)
3. Dordt – 84
4. Concordia – 68
5. Midland – 64
6. Mount Marty – 58
7. Hastings – 43
8. Doane – 35
9. Dakota Wesleyan – 32
10. Briar Cliff – 23
11. Waldorf – 10