North Central College football is ranked No. 4 in the nation heading into its regular-season home finale Saturday, Nov. 14, in Naperville.

The Cardinals jumped one spot in both the D3Football.com and American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) polls after routing Millikin University 62-12 on Saturday, Nov. 7. It was the program's fourth consecutive lopsided victory, according to the NCC athletics department.

Coach Brad Spencer's squad hosts College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW) rival Illinois Wesleyan at noon at Benedetti-Wehrli Stadium (310 E. Benton Ave.). Illinois Wesleyan received votes in the AFCA poll.

Two Cardinals earned CCIW weekly honors for their performances against Millikin, the conference announced Monday, Nov. 9.

Green wrecks Millikin's offense

Senior safety Kyler Green was named CCIW Defensive Student-Athlete of the Week. He recorded six tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss and two sacks. Green also intercepted a pass and returned it 52 yards to set up a touchdown run by Evan Keil, then forced a fumble recovered by teammate Matt Janiak.

It was Green's first career weekly conference honor. On the season, he ranks third on the team in tackles with 39, according to the NCC athletics department.

Ryniec sets program PAT record

Senior kicker Sean Ryniec, a Downers Grove native, earned CCIW Special Teams Student-Athlete of the Week after a 14-point outing. He went 8-for-8 on extra points and 2-of-3 on field goals, connecting from 46 and 39 yards.

Ryniec set a new North Central program record for career extra-point makes during the game, surpassing Nick Dace, who made 242 from 2010 to 2013. On the season, Ryniec is 43-of-45 on extra points and 12-of-13 on field goals, ranking fifth nationally in field goal percentage. He also holds the second-longest field goal in program history, a 56-yarder in the season opener against Bethel.

Cardinals dominate on both sides

NCC's defense ranks eighth nationally on third-down stops, holding opponents to a 24.4% conversion rate. The Cardinals have allowed just 105 first downs all season, the fifth fewest in Division III, and give up only 10.6 points per game, eighth best in the country.

The offense averages 503.1 yards per game, sixth in Division III, and scores 45.9 points per game. NCC's red-zone offense converts at 96.2%, the best rate in the nation.

Senior class nears historic finish

The 2026 senior class has compiled a 49-3 record over four seasons with a 31-1 mark in CCIW play, according to NCC athletics. The group has made three straight NCAA Division III championship game appearances and won the 2024 Stagg Bowl.

Wheaton College holds the No. 1 spot in both polls, with Wisconsin-Whitewater at No. 2 and St. John's University at No. 3.