The RFC Offseason Schedule Tracker: Mid-States Football Association (MSFA)-(NAIA)

Mid-States Football Association (MSFA) (NAIA)

Overview: The Mid-States Football Association (MSFA) had three of its teams advance to postseason play in 2025, with one team overcoming a lackluster performance to win an opening-round playoff contest before losing to the eventual national champion, while another team struggled in an early exit, and yet another squad prematurely removed itself from the playoffs due to an eligibility violation.

The University of Saint Francis Cougars from Fort Wayne, Indiana, struggled for most of their first-round contest against Evangel (Mo.) before a fourth-quarter field goal gave them a 13-12 win over the Valor. Their season ended the following week after Grand View cruised to a convincing 62-20 win. The Cougars finished their 2025 campaign at 10-3 following the crushing loss to the Vikings.

Another MSFA squad to earn a postseason berth was the Indiana Wesleyan University Wildcats from Marion, Indiana. After finishing MSFA play undefeated at 5-0 and winning the Midwest League title, the Wildcats' season was cut short in the second round of the NAIA playoffs, as Lindsey Wilson eliminated them with a 57-31 loss. IWU finished its season at 9-3 overall after losing to the Blue Raiders.

But no team suffered a faster fall from grace-or the playoffs-than the Marian University Knights from Indianapolis. Just days before they were to travel to Florida to face Keiser in their NAIA quarterfinal contest, the Knights were removed from the bracket when Marian officials discovered that an ineligible athlete was playing on their team. As a result of that violation, the Knights finished their 2025 season at 8-4 overall, including forfeits of three other games before the cancellation of the Keiser contest.

As the 2026 season begins, among the changes in MSFA's membership are the arrival of the Saint Mary of the Woods College Pomeroys from Indiana. The addition of SMWC brings the league to 12 teams this fall, with six teams each in the Mideast and Midwest Leagues.        

2025 Mid-States Football Association (MSFA) Final Standings

Mideast League

Midwest League

2026 Schedules 


Mideast League

379. Defiance

380. Indiana Wesleyan

381. Lawrence Tech

382. Madonna

383. Saint Francis (Ind.)

384. Taylor

Midwest League

385. Judson

386. Marian

387. Olivet Nazarene

388. Saint Francis (Ill.)

389. Saint Mary of the Woods (Ill.)

390. Saint Xavier

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