2024 NAIA Football Postseason Coaches’ Top 25 Poll (Jan. 6)
SEWARD, Neb. – For the first time since 2016, the Concordia University, Nebraska Football program has ended a campaign with an NAIA national ranking. In the 2024 NAIA Football Postseason Coaches’ Top 25 Poll released on Monday (Jan. 6), the Bulldogs landed at No. 18. Not since the 2001 national qualifying team finished at No. 7 in the NAIA has Concordia closed a season with a higher final ranking. Head Coach Patrick Daberkow’s squad appeared in each of the season’s final four top 25 polls.
The ’24 Bulldogs went 8-2 overall while rewriting the program’s offensive record book. In one of the greatest seasons in school history, Concordia fell just short of an NAIA postseason bid after ending the regular season with five-straight victories. The team was led by a large senior class that featured the likes of record-breaking quarterback DJ McGarvie, 1,000-yard running back Mark Arp and All-Americans in receiver Austin Jablonski and offensive tackle Blake Schlegel. On the defensive side of the ball, safety Daylon Henson pulled in significant postseason awards as an Associated Press First Team All-American and Honorary Defensive Captain of the Omaha World-Herald All-Midlands Team. Jablonski captained the All-Midlands Team on the offensive side.
During the GPAC era (2000-present), the Bulldogs have appeared in the NAIA top 25 in seven separate seasons. The No. 7 ranking achieved by the ’01 GPAC championship squad remains the highest ranking in program history. Conference championship teams of 1970 and 1981 rose as high as No. 12 in the polls. Under former Head Coach Vance Winter, the 2013 edition started 6-0 and leapt to No. 14.
In the 2024 NAIA postseason poll, Concordia was joined by fellow GPAC squads in No. 3 Morningside, No. 7 Northwestern and No. 20 Dordt.
For a closer look at the 2024 season, check out our season-in-review linked HERE.
2024 Accomplishments
· 8-2 overall record (most wins since 2001).
· Placed in a tie for second in the GPAC.
· NAIA postseason national ranking of 18th.
· Won at No. 2 Northwestern; both losses were to top 10 opponents (No. 10 Morningside and No. 9 Dordt).
· Broke program records for scoring average (38.5) and total offense per game (469.7), among other new standards set by the offense.
· Outscored opponents, 385-184.
· Out-sacked opponents, 28-4.
· Outrushed opponents on average, 211.9 to 109.1.
· Quarterback DJ McGarvie broke the program single season record for passing touchdowns (28) and Mark Arp eclipsed 1,000 yards rushing and Austin Jablonski surpassed 1,000 yards receiving.
· Blew out all three in-state opponents – 45-10 over Doane, 42-6 over Hastings and 45-13 over Midland.
· Program record eight First Team All-GPAC honorees.
· Program record 23 NAIA Scholar-Athletes.
· Four players named NAIA All-Americans by at least one major source: RB Mark Arp, DB Daylon Henson, WR Austin Jablonski and OL Blake Schlegel.