The 2026 season will mark the 100th in the history of Concordia University, Nebraska Football. Ahead of season 100, Concordia has unveiled the football program’s preseason press guide (linked below) while providing an update on where things stand for Head Coach Patrick Daberkow’s squad leading into 2026 preseason camp. The team will report to campus on Tuesday, Aug. 4 for preseason preparation.
| The 2026 @CUNEFootball schedule is public! The Bulldogs will kick off next season with a night game inside Bulldog Stadium.
— Concordia Bulldogs (@cunebulldogs) May 19, 2026
102 days until kickoff!
SCHEDULE RELEASE https://t.co/n13dyuoyli pic.twitter.com/rQTYEYboq2
2026 Preseason Press Guide
2026 Concordia Football Media Guide (PDF)
Summer Chatter
· @NAIAFBALL released its GPAC football preview show on June 30. Check out the show via YouTube HERE.
o On Concordia, NAIAFBALL states: “They are in the perennial contender conversation. They have a lot of upper-class talent that is going to be huge for them to return – especially with the fact that they were a top 25 offense last season … They’re going to be able to plug some guys in and this machine will still be rolling.”
· Midwest Sports Net discussed Concordia on its “College Football This Week” show that aired live via YouTube on July 19. Skip to the 20-minute mark of the show (linked HERE) to listen to the conversation.
· Concordia Football Team Page: Victory Sports Network.
Spring Breakdown
Concordia Athletics released a spring update on the program back on May 19. Find that update HERE.
Concordia’s Greatest All-Time Teams
Concordia Athletics released a list of the football program’s top 10 all-time teams earlier this summer. Find the rundown HERE.
Bulldog Gridiron Club
Support the Bulldog Gridiron Club by visiting the organization’s online store HERE. Fans can purchase coins, flags, mini helmets and mini helmet visors that commemorate the football program’s 100th season.
Celebrating 100 Years – Program Timeline
1925
First season of Concordia football, on record. Professor Walter Hellwege serves as the program’s first ever head coach.
1931
Bernard Arkebauer scores a still-intact school record 19 touchdowns as Hellwege’s team goes 7-0 and wins the Nebraska Junior College Conference title.
1934
The Bulldog nickname is adopted following a student body vote. The other options were Bears-Cubs, Hurricane and Whippets.
1941
Herb Meyer becomes the program’s second head coach and enjoys plenty of success with four conference championships and back-to-back undefeated seasons in 1944 (8-0) and 1945 (6-0). Meyer coached through the 1954 season.
1943
No season due to World War II man power needs.
1955
Kenneth Schoeder leads the Bulldogs to a conference title in his first season as head coach.
1970
Concordia opens the season with a 35-0 win over Doane, snapping the Tigers’ 38-game unbeaten streak. Head Coach John Seevers’ team went on to go 8-1 overall and win the conference title.
1981
Coach Larry Oetting’s best team put together a 9-1 record, won the NIAC championship and finished ranked No. 12 in the NAIA behind a suffocating defense that allowed only 8.8 points per game.
1990
Courtney Meyer returns to his alma mater as head coach following a successful tenure at Concordia Wisconsin.
1997
Dr. Ted Kessinger provides an evaluation of the football program, resulting in increased funding and staffing for Coach Meyer.
2001
Led by All-Americans Erik DeHaven, Sean Stewart and Ross Wurdeman, the Bulldogs set a still-intact school record with 10 wins while sharing the GPAC title and reaching the national quarterfinals. Concordia won a home playoff game over St. Ambrose.
2013
After 11 non-winning seasons in a row, Coach Vance Winter’s team breaks through with a 7-4 record. It started the season at 6-0 and rose as high as No. 14 in the NAIA coaches’ poll.
2024
Coach Patrick Daberkow’s squad breaks the school record for scoring average (38.5) and goes 8-2 for the program’s highest win total since 2001.
2026
100th season of Concordia football.