2025 Christopher Newport bracket previews
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Christopher Newport Captains
| Seed: | No. 1, Christopher Newport bracket |
| Last Top 25 ranking: | No. 6, Week 11 2025 |
| Location: | Newport News, Va. |
| Enrollment (FT undergrads): | 4962 |
| Stadium: | TowneBank Stadium (4200) |
| Playing surface: | Grass |
| Conference: | NJAC |
| Head coach: | Paul Crowley (CNU '09) |
| Career record: | 31-10 (.756) |
| Base offense: | Spread |
| Base defense: | 3-4 |
| Record in NCAA playoffs: | 3-11 (2001-04, 2006, 2008, 2010-12, 2014, 2023) |
| NCAA D-III championships: | None |
• D3football.com team page: Schedule and results, more news
| Points for | Points against |
| 468 | 194 |
| How they got here: | Automatic bid, NJAC |
| You'll know they're playing well if: | The offensive line is protecting Connor Barry. Barry is second in passing efficiency in Division III, with 34 passing touchdowns and only three interceptions. He has also run for nine TDs. His favorite target is Colin Hart (118 yards per game, 11 TDs). The passing game opens up Gunner White (15 total TDs) and the running game. Although he leads the team in rushing with only 56.7 yards per game, the team averages 177.8. Protecting Barry has ramifications all across the offense. |
| You'll know they're playing poorly if: | The defense cannot get off the field on third down. For the year, the Captains are allowing opponents a third down conversion rate of 32.33%. However, in the four closest games (Salisbury, Montclair, Susquehanna, and Rowan), that figure averages 44%. CNU managed to win those games, but were challenged. |
| This season's turning point: | The Captains came out of the halftime locker room in a two-point game vs. Salisbury and scored 10 points in the first three and a half minutes to build a lead. The Captains held on after a Salisbury TD with 19 seconds left and won, 45-42. |
| NPI (rank): | 77.538 (3) |
| Rushing/passing yards per game: | 177.8/287.7 |
| Rushing/passing yards allowed: | 115.3/181.4 |
| Yards per play/allowed per play: | 7.6/4.9 |
| Leading passer: | Connor Barry, 271.8 ypg |
| Leading rusher: | Gunner White, 56.7 ypg |
| Leading receiver: | Colin Hart, 118.1 ypg |
| Leading tackler: | Noah Martin, 60 (36 solo) |
| Leader in sacks: | Connor Estrella, 9.0 |
| Leader in interceptions: | Noah Martin and Eli Sherfield, 2 |
| How far can they go? | Susquehanna was one of the Captains' tight games this season, and they could get a rematch with Susquehanna in the second round. Or W&J could win that first round game and would also prove a challenge for CNU. CNU isn't here for the first time, but this is the first time there are expectations attached, and sometimes those attachments weigh a team down. |
Johns Hopkins Blue Jays
| Seed: | No. 2 seed, Christopher Newport bracket |
| Last Top 25 ranking: | No. 8, 2025 Week 11 |
| Location: | Baltimore, Maryland |
| Enrollment (FT undergrads): | 5719 |
| Stadium: | Homewood Field (8500) |
| Playing surface: | Turf |
| Conference: | CC |
| Head coach: | Dan Wodicka (Johns Hopkins '14) |
| Career record: | 21-3 (.875) |
| Base offense: | Spread |
| Base defense: | 4-2-5 |
| Record in NCAA playoffs: | 15-13 (2005, 2009, 2011-18, 2021, 2023-24) |
| NCAA D-III championships: | None |
• D3football.com team page: Schedule and results, more news
| Points for | Points against |
| 420 | 154 |
| How they got here: | At-large bid (1st of 13) |
| You'll know they're playing well if: | Cole Crotty is getting behind the opponents' defensive backfield. If their non-Crotty receivers are catching a lot of intermediate and shallow passes, they will keep the chains moving and can create explosive plays. |
| You'll know they're playing poorly if: | The defensive backs are giving up long passes down the sideline, and quarterback Bay Harvey has to carry the load in the running game as well as the passing game. |
| This season's turning point: | They're probably looking for one now, after a not-ideal end to the regular season. |
| NPI (rank): | 75.017 (7) |
| Rushing/passing yards per game: | 194.7/268.1 |
| Rushing/passing yards allowed: | 81.1/212.8 |
| Yards per play/allowed per play: | 6.9/5.1 |
| Leading passer: | Harvey Bay, 246.1 ypg |
| Leading rusher: | Geoff Schroeder, 100.0 ypg |
| Leading receiver: | Cole Crotty, 110.5 ypg |
| Leading tackler: | Browning Trainer, 71 (41 solo) |
| Leader in sacks: | Will Seibert. 5.0 |
| Leader in interceptions: | Jack Schondelmayer, 3 |
| How far can they go? | This team still has semifinal potential, but now there is reason to question their chances. |
Franklin and Marshall Diplomats
| Seed: | No. 3 seed, Christopher Newport bracket |
| Last Top 25 ranking: | No. 16, Week 11 2025 |
| Location: | Lancaster, Pennsylvania |
| Enrollment (FT undergrads): | 1902 |
| Stadium: | Tom Gilburg Field at Shadek Stadium (2500) |
| Playing surface: | Turf |
| Conference: | CC |
| Head coach: | Michael Phelan (St. Lawrence '15) |
| Career record: | 9-1 (.900) |
| Base offense: | Spread/11 personnel |
| Base defense: | 3-4 |
| Record in NCAA playoffs: | First trip |
| NCAA D-III championships: | none |
• D3football.com team page: Schedule and results, more news
| Points for | Points against |
| 302 | 205 |
| How they got here: | Automatic bid, Centennial |
| You'll know they're playing well if: | Receiver Gary Lewis is stretching the field and beating teams deep, especially on third down. Controlling the tempo and the time of possession really works in F&M's favor as well. |
| You'll know they're playing poorly if: | They are unable to establish the run game, and teams are running the ball well on them. If they have to resort to relying on the pass game exclusively, it could be a long day. |
| This season's turning point: | Overcoming a 21-0 deficit against Johns Hopkins and scoring with three drives of all under three and a half minutes to force overtime, then winning the toss in OT, going on offense second, going for the win with the two-point conversion, and converting spectacularly. |
| NPI (rank): | 70.209 (9) |
| Rushing/passing yards per game: | 114.0/223.3 |
| Rushing/passing yards allowed: | 151.5/186.3 |
| Yards per play/allowed per play: | 5.6/5.1 |
| Leading passer: | Ty Tremba, 222.6 ypg |
| Leading rusher: | Louis Paris, 55.8 ypg |
| Leading receiver: | Gary Lewis, 98.1 ypg |
| Leading tackler: | Connor Hille, 68 (34 solo) |
| Leader in sacks: | Owen Banghart, 3.5 |
| Leader in interceptions: | Oscar Marx, 3 |
| How far can they go? | This is a team that has been on a bit of a roll, and their little pod of five teams on their side of the bracket leaves a trip to the quarterfinals wide open for just about any of the five. |
Salisbury Sea Gulls
| Seed: | No. 4 seed, Christopher Newport bracket |
| Last Top 25 ranking: | No. 12, Week 11 2025 |
| Location: | Salisbury, Md. |
| Enrollment (FT undergrads): | 5846 |
| Stadium: | Sea Gull Stadium (2500) |
| Playing surface: | Turf |
| Conference: | NJAC |
| Head coach: | Sherman Wood (Salisbury State '84) |
| Career record: | 202-81 (.714) |
| Base offense: | Flexbone option |
| Base defense: | 4-3 |
| Record in NCAA playoffs: | 12-14 (1983, 1985-86, 2002, 2004, 2007, 2010-12, 2015, 2019, 2021-22, 2024) |
| NCAA D-III championships: | None |
• D3football.com team page: Schedule and results, more news
| Points for | Points against |
| 495 | 182 |
| How they got here: | At-large (3rd of 13) |
| You'll know they're playing well if: | If they are able to keep opposing defenses guessing, capitalizing on explosives via air and ground. The Sea Gulls are in the top 10 in Division III in rushing, as is expected for a spread option team, but also top five in passing efficiency. On defense, they'll be shutting down the opponents' run game, getting off the field on third and long, generally bending more than breaking. |
| You'll know they're playing poorly if: | If they are in third and long more often than not on offense, or being sloppy with the football and handing the opponent great field position. The opposing quarterback has time to dissect the coverage to find receivers, or to scramble and find open running lanes. |
| This season's turning point: | Bouncing back from the loss at Christopher Newport to roll past their Week 11 opponent and enter the playoffs at 9-1. |
| NPI (rank): | 68.616 (13) |
| Rushing/passing yards per game: | 311.6/188.6 |
| Rushing/passing yards allowed: | 106.3/202.5 |
| Yards per play/allowed per play: | 8.8/4.9 |
| Leading passer: | SyRus Mcgowan, 162.8 ypg |
| Leading rusher: | Darrell Walter, 65.2 ypg |
| Leading receiver: | Dario Belizaire, 55.1 ypg |
| Leading tackler: | Jimmy Celentano, 49 (21 solo) |
| Leader in sacks: | Oliver Morgan, 4.5 |
| Leader in interceptions: | Patrick Sheil, 3 |
| How far can they go? | At home they should be considered a favorite in their playoff opener, and other wins are accessible to them if they can hang onto the ball and grab them. |
Endicott Gulls
| Seed: | No. 5 seed, Christopher Newport bracket |
| Last Top 25 ranking: | No. 18, 2024 final |
| Location: | Beverly, Mass. |
| Enrollment (FT undergrads): | 2896 |
| Stadium: | Melissa Hempstead '69 Stadium (2200) |
| Playing surface: | Turf |
| Conference: | CNE |
| Head coach: | Paul McGonagle (Kentucky '99) |
| Career record: | 62-15 (.805), 76-50 (.603) overall |
| Base offense: | Multiple Multiple |
| Base defense: | 4-2 |
| Record in NCAA playoffs: | 1-6 (2010, 2013, 2021-24) |
| NCAA D-III championships: | None |
• D3football.com team page: Schedule and results, more news
| Points for | Points against |
| 471 | 135 |
| How they got here: | Automatic bid, CNE |
| You'll know they're playing well if: | Both Bryan Ferreira and Markys Bridgewater are ripping off carries for big yardage and finding the end zone, and the defense is able to control the opposing passing game. |
| You'll know they're playing poorly if: | Penalties are an issue, the defense isn't able to pounce on turnovers, |
| This season's turning point: | Shaking off the first-half doldrums against Curry and scoring 35 unanswered points to defeat Curry 45-17. Endicott had hardly been challenged since a Week 2 loss to Muhlenberg, but put it together and rallied to win. |
| NPI (rank): | 68.064 (15) |
| Rushing/passing yards per game: | 284.6/201.4 |
| Rushing/passing yards allowed: | 111.8/138.8 |
| Yards per play/allowed per play: | 7.8/4.2 |
| Leading passer: | Shea Lynch, 185.1 ypg |
| Leading rusher: | Bryan Ferreira, 102.3 ypg |
| Leading receiver: | Jacob Ward, 42.1 ypg |
| Leading tackler: | Joe Tirrell, 51 (27 solo) |
| Leader in sacks: | Brian Daly 4.0 |
| Leader in interceptions: | TJ Lett, 2 |
| How far can they go? | Tough draw and tough trip not called for by the Gulls' overall seed. It will be an interesting opening game. |
Eastern Eagles
| Seed: | No. 6 seed, Christopher Newport bracket |
| Last Top 25 ranking: | Never ranked |
| Location: | St. Davis, PA |
| Enrollment (FT undergrads): | 1407 |
| Stadium: | Radnor Street Road (1000) |
| Playing surface: | Turf |
| Conference: | MAC |
| Head coach: | Billy Crocker |
| Career record: | 16-14 (.533) |
| Base offense: | Three-wide |
| Base defense: | 3-3-5 |
| Record in NCAA playoffs: | First trip |
| NCAA D-III championships: | None |
• D3football.com team page: Schedule and results, more news
| Points for | Points against |
| 291 | 150 |
| How they got here: | Automatic bid, MAC |
| You'll know they're playing well if: | Brett Nabb is making all the right decisions and probably ends up rushing for more yards than he ends up passing for, while Jeremiah Avrilien is playing a significant role as well. |
| You'll know they're playing poorly if: | The defense is getting the necessary pressure up front. Eastern has 28 sacks on the year, half of them in the team's final three games, but averaged well fewer than 4.7 sacks in the tougher games earlier in the season. |
| This season's turning point: | Stopping a two-point conversion pass attempt by King's with 42 seconds left in the game to preserve a 39-27 win. |
| NPI (rank): | 67.158 (22) |
| Rushing/passing yards per game: | 236.8/131.3 |
| Rushing/passing yards allowed: | 89.1/151.3 |
| Yards per play/allowed per play: | 6.2/4.1 |
| Leading passer: | Brett Nabb, 123.7 ypg |
| Leading rusher: | Brett Nabb, 110.7 ypg |
| Leading receiver: | Justin Nikolopoulos, 40.4 ypg |
| Leading tackler: | Gashawn Moody Sr., 73 (29 solo) |
| Leader in sacks: | Salif Nikiema, 6.0 |
| Leader in interceptions: | Seven way tie with 1 |
| How far can they go? | There are winnable games in this bracket, and Eastern is not guaranteed to go home after its first game. |
Springfield Pride
| Seed: | No. 7 seed, Christopher Newport bracket |
| Last Top 25 ranking: | No. 13, 2025 preseason |
| Location: | Springfield, Mass. |
| Enrollment (FT undergrads): | 1904 |
| Stadium: | Benedum Field (2500) |
| Playing surface: | Turf |
| Conference: | NEWMAC |
| Head coach: | Mike Cerasuolo (Springfield '93) |
| Career record: | 74-25 (.747) |
| Base offense: | Triple option |
| Base defense: | 4-2 |
| Record in NCAA playoffs: | 6-10 (1998, 2000, 2002-03, 2006, 2017, 2022-24) |
| NCAA D-III championships: | None |
• D3football.com team page: Schedule and results, more news
| Points for | Points against |
| 291 | 118 |
| How they got here: | Automatic bid, NEWMAC |
| You'll know they're playing well if: | The Pride is able to fully utilize its triple-option, keeping the opposing defense on its toes with Stanford Davis, TJ Welch, and James Green all finding considerable running room. Once the triple-option gets going, it wears down opponents quickly, leading to a strength advantage as the game progresses. Expect the defense to lock down against the run, having held seven of its 10 regular season foes below 100 yards on the ground. |
| You'll know they're playing poorly if: | The offense is averaging fewer than six plays per drive. Much of Springfield's offensive advantage comes from the consistency of the run-heavy attack and the Pride’s ability to put together drives of 10-plus plays. When that doesn’t happen, the scoring production subsides significantly. Look for the defense to give up a few too many chunk plays on passes, as they did in the early season loss to UW-Platteville. |
| This season's turning point: | A week after taking a second loss at UW-Platteville, Springfield dominated MIT in a 31-7 road win that opened the NEWMAC schedule, setting the tone for the remainder of the regular season. The Pride won each of its next six games by at least two scores, holding five of those six to 10 points or less. |
| NPI (rank): | 64.517 (32) |
| Rushing/passing yards per game: | 347.3/30.9 |
| Rushing/passing yards allowed: | 54.8/141.7 |
| Yards per play/allowed per play: | 6.0/3.7 |
| Leading passer: | TJ Welch, 30.9 ypg |
| Leading rusher: | TJ Welch, 91.4 ypg |
| Leading receiver: | Austin Studley, 9.0 ypg |
| Leading tackler: | Hunter Hayes, 57 (22 solo) |
| Leader in sacks: | Tyler Sordillo, 11.5 |
| Leader in interceptions: | Three way tie with 2 |
| How far can they go? | The offense is beginning to come together, perhaps enough to advance. |
Cortland Red Dragons
| Seed: | No. 8 seed, Christopher Newport bracket |
| Last Top 25 ranking: | No. 20, Week 10 2025 |
| Location: | Cortland, N.Y. |
| Enrollment (FT undergrads): | 5859 |
| Stadium: | Stadium Complex (6500) |
| Playing surface: | Turf |
| Conference: | E8 |
| Head coach: | Tom Blumenauer (Ithaca '07) |
| Career record: | 8-2 (.800) at Cortland, 29-13 (.690) overall |
| Base offense: | Multiple spread |
| Base defense: | 4-2-5 |
| Record in NCAA playoffs: | 13-12 (1988-90, 1997, 2005, 2008, 2010, 2012, 2015, 2021-24) |
| NCAA D-III championships: | 2023 |
• D3football.com team page: Schedule and results, more news
| Points for | Points against |
| 389 | 128 |
| How they got here: | Automatic bid, E8 |
| You'll know they're playing well if: | The opposing linebackers are having to put special attention on Mike Rescigno just to keep him from stepping up in the pocket and running. A true dual-threat quarterback, Rescigno is closing in on 1,000 rushing yards and 1,600 passing yards, and has a tendency to make things happen with the ball in his hands. The defense will lock down against the run, forcing the quarterback to throw against a secondary that posted five multi-interception performances in the regular season. |
| You'll know they're playing poorly if: | The offense can't stay on the field, and the defense has trouble getting off it. In their biggest points of struggle this season, Cortland's offense has lost the time of possession battle, whether by a lack of third-down success or turnovers. That puts more pressure on the defense, who has allowed a third-down conversion rate north of 40% four times this season, including in losses to Grove City and Ithaca. |
| This season's turning point: | When Rescigno ran the ball for an 8-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter of a 28-13 midseason win over Utica. That score capped a 10-play, 72-yard drive that put the game away for the Red Dragons, a sign that the offense was finally clicking against quality competition. It also set Cortland up as the Empire 8 frontrunner, with that win proving to be the difference between No. 1 and No. 2 in the final standings. |
| NPI (rank): | 64.485 (33) |
| Rushing/passing yards per game: | 218.7/176.2 |
| Rushing/passing yards allowed: | 125.4/148.7 |
| Yards per play/allowed per play: | 6.7/4.4 |
| Leading passer: | Mike Rescigno, 158.2 ypg |
| Leading rusher: | Mike Rescigno, 99.0 ypg |
| Leading receiver: | Jacque LaPrarie, 53.1 ypg |
| Leading tackler: | Aiden Lochner, 67 (28 solo) |
| Leader in sacks: | Aden Wiser, 7.0 |
| Leader in interceptions: | Nazair Jean-Lubin, 4 |
| How far can they go? | They should have a better chance against Springfield than they did a year ago, but Johns Hopkins' loss might have been a wake-up call that will make them hard for Cortland to get past. |
Susquehanna River Hawks
| Seed: | No. 9, Christopher Newport bracket |
| Last Top 25 ranking: | No. 22, Week 11 2025 |
| Location: | Selinsgrove, Pa. |
| Enrollment (FT undergrads): | 2106 |
| Stadium: | Amos Alonzo Stagg Field at Doug Arthur Stadium (3500) |
| Playing surface: | Turf |
| Conference: | LAND |
| Head coach: | Tom Perkovich (Canisius '03) |
| Career record: | 81-24 (.771) |
| Base offense: | Spread/multiple |
| Base defense: | Multiple |
| Record in NCAA playoffs: | 5-6 (1986, 1991, 2009, 2022-24) |
| NCAA D-III championships: | None |
• D3football.com team page: Schedule and results, more news
| Points for | Points against |
| 440 | 149 |
| How they got here: | Automatic bid, Landmark |
| You'll know they're playing well if: | Josh Ehrlich is running because he wants to, rather than needs to. He is a really accurate passer but he is even more effective if he is able to get out and run. This also helps complement Rahshan LaMons. Galen Limantour is able to get through and not only pressure the quarterback but also help shut down the opposing ground game from his defensive end spot. |
| You'll know they're playing poorly if: | The opposing offense is able to pick on the River Hawks' defensive backs and defeat any attempts by Susquehanna to bring pressure up front. They have to convert in the red zone with kicker Dominic Bourgeois rather than by scoring points six at a time. Bourgeois is a great weapon, but six is always greater than three. |
| This season's turning point: | Getting enough guys back and healthy to make the Landmark Conference portion of the schedule as much of a breeze as it has been previously. |
| NPI (rank): | 64.149 (34) |
| Rushing/passing yards per game: | 203.2/283.1 |
| Rushing/passing yards allowed: | 75.2/188.8 |
| Yards per play/allowed per play: | 6.7/4.8 |
| Leading passer: | Josh Ehrlich, 215.0 ypg |
| Leading rusher: | Rahshan La Mons, 80.0 ypg |
| Leading receiver: | Daniel Growney, 54.1 ypg |
| Leading tackler: | Jesse Ruisch, 50 (31 solo) |
| Leader in sacks: | Galen Limantour, 6.0 |
| Leader in interceptions: | Four way tie with 2 |
| How far can they go? | That portion of the bottom right bracket is actually super winnable for just about anyone, including Susquehanna. |
Washington and Jefferson Presidents
| Seed: | No. 10, Christopher Newport bracket |
| Last Top 25 ranking: | No. 23, 2024 final |
| Location: | Washington, Pennsylvania |
| Enrollment (FT undergrads): | 1151 |
| Stadium: | Cameron Stadium (4000) |
| Playing surface: | Turf |
| Conference: | PAC |
| Head coach: | Mike Sirianni (Mount Union '94) |
| Career record: | 202-48 (.808) |
| Base offense: | Spread |
| Base defense: | 4-2-5 |
| Record in NCAA playoffs: | 23-27 (1984, 1986, 1987, 1989-96, 1999, 2000-02, 2004-09, 2012-14, 2017-18, 2024) |
| NCAA D-III championships: | None |
• D3football.com team page: Schedule and results, more news
| Points for | Points against |
| 446 | 155 |
| How they got here: | Automatic bid, PAC |
| You'll know they're playing well if: | Kellan Stahl has all the time he needs to find his receivers, and Jacob Macosko and John Peduzzi each have 100 yards receiving. Kobe Derosa or Andrew Sharp get close to 100 yards on the ground, and the opposing quarterback is uncomfortable. |
| You'll know they're playing poorly if: | The defense, especially the secondary, gives up yards in chunks, and the offense can't keep pace. This is what hurt the Presidents in their two losses to open the season, and they didn't play a ton of huge passing offenses the rest of the way, with perhaps the exception of Geneva. This might still be a question. |
| This season's turning point: | The Presidents scored three touchdowns in 10 minutes in the second quarter, after taking an early 3-0 lead at Grove City. W&J won 34-14, setting the tone for the back 80% of the season. |
| NPI (rank): | 62.596 (44) |
| Rushing/passing yards per game: | 162.1/330.5 |
| Rushing/passing yards allowed: | 67.0/204.4 |
| Yards per play/allowed per play: | 6.4/4.5 |
| Leading passer: | Kellan Stahl, 297.7 ypg |
| Leading rusher: | Andrew Sharp, 56.4 ypg |
| Leading receiver: | Jacob Macosko, 100.2 ypg |
| Leading tackler: | Brock Sherman, 83 (35 solo) |
| Leader in sacks: | Antoine Smith and Tyler Primrose, 7.0 |
| Leader in interceptions: | Dante DeRubbo, 7 |
| How far can they go? | W&J is definitely the best 10th seed in the playoffs. |