ATCHISON, Kan. – For the first time since 2015, the Campbellsville University Fighting Tiger football team is dancing in the postseason. Following their 8-2 regular season and a first-round bye, the #12-seeded Tigers travel to Atchison, Kansas, to face the #5-seeded Benedictine College Ravens in the Second Round of the 2025 NAIA Football Championship Series.
This Saturday's showdown at Larry Wilcox Stadium marks the first-ever meeting between the two programs, with a spot in the NAIA Quarterfinals on the line.
GAME DAY ESSENTIALS
- Who: #12 Campbellsville University (8-2) vs. #5 Benedictine College (10-1)
- What: NAIA Football Championship Series – Second Round
- When: Saturday, Nov. 29 | Kickoff at 1:00 p.m. ET (12:00 p.m. CT)
- Where: Larry Wilcox Stadium | Atchison, Kan.
- Watch Live: Urban Edge Network
- Live Stats: NAIA Stats
- Radio: WLCU 88.7 – The Tiger
TICKET INFORMATION
Tickets go on sale Tuesday, November 25 at 4:00 p.m. ET on
Benedictine's Athletics page.
- Adult General Admission: $15
- Seniors: $10
- Students (Middle/High School): $5
- Youth (12 and under): $5
Saturday's game features two of the most explosive teams in the country. Both squads enter the postseason fresh off a bye week and boasting top-tier offenses.
Campbellsville (8-2, 4-2 MSC) earned an at-large bid after finishing third in the gauntlet of the Mid-South Conference. The Tigers are averaging 41.5 points per game and 459.2 yards of total offense, fueled by a balanced attack that throws for nearly 284 yards and rushes for over 175 yards per contest.
Benedictine (10-1, 6-0 Heart South) earned an automatic berth as the Heart of America South Division champions. The Ravens possess a juggernaut offense averaging 51.2 points per game (3rd in NAIA) and 500.3 yards of total offense. Their only blemish on the season was a narrow 27-24 loss to #1 Grand View back in September.
Benedictine presents a formidable challenge on both sides of the ball. Offensively, they are led by quarterback Jackson Dooley, who has thrown for 2,805 yards and 33 touchdowns this season. His top targets include Titan Osburn (735 yards, 11 TDs) and Tanner Zimmerman (697 yards, 10 TDs). On the ground, running back Xavier Ugorji is a force, rushing for 1,034 yards and 15 touchdowns while averaging 6.9 yards per carry.
Defensively, the Ravens are stingy, allowing just 16.8 points per game. They are adept at getting into the backfield (27 sacks) and taking the ball away (16 interceptions). Linebacker Dylan Witherspoon leads the team with 54 tackles, while Abram Philips is a menace up front with 6.5 sacks.
Campbellsville counters with its own high-powered arsenal. MSC Special Teams Player of the Year
Tre' Bass is the engine, racking up 1,526 all-purpose yards and 18 total touchdowns this season. Quarterback
Jett Engle has been a steady hand, throwing for 2,619 yards and 27 touchdowns. The receiving corps is deep, led by
Roland Hazard Jr. (655 yards, 5 TDs) and
Easton Barlow (416 yards, 5 TDs).
Defensively, the Tigers thrive on chaos. Campbellsville has forced 25 turnovers this season (15 INTs, 10 Fumble Recoveries). Linebacker
Ellis Reed leads the unit with 62 tackles, while
Chase Maynard adds 55 tackles and a team-high 4.0 sacks. The secondary, anchored by
DQ Brown (3 INTs) and
Aaron Cyrus, will need to be at its best against the Raven passing attack.
Both teams excel at taking the ball away (Campbellsville +11 margin, Benedictine +10 margin). In a postseason game on the road, protecting the football is paramount. Benedictine's offense is lethal in the red zone, scoring touchdowns on 82% of their trips. The Tiger defense must force field goals, while the offense must capitalize on its opportunities. Benedictine allows just 117 rushing yards per game. If the Tigers can get Bass going on the ground, it will open up play-action lanes for Engle and keep the high-scoring Raven offense on the sideline.
The winner will advance to the NAIA FCS Quarterfinals on Saturday, December 6.
