The undefeated North Central Cardinals (12-0), the No. 1 seed and defending national champions, host the No. 3 Bethel Royals (12-0) in a marquee NCAA Division III Football Quarterfinals showdown on Saturday, December 13, 2025. North Central, seeking their fifth straight semifinal appearance and fourth title in seven years, brings an explosive, balanced attack that has overwhelmed opponents all season. Bethel, making their seventh quarterfinal trip in program history and second straight, counters with a high-tempo spread offense led by dual-threat QB Cooper Drews, fresh off gritty playoff wins. This CCIW vs. MIAC clash at Benedetti-Wehrli Stadium revives a playoff rivalry dormant since 2018, with stakes high for a semifinal berth on December 20. Broadcast on ESPN+.
Venue Location
Benedetti-Wehrli Stadium
North Central College, 30 N Brainard St, Naperville, IL 60540
The Cardinals’ 5,500-seat turf facility has been a playoff juggernaut, where North Central is 7-0 this season with a +31.4 average margin in home postseason games.
Kickoff: 12:00 p.m. CT (1:00 p.m. ET local time)
Weather Forecast
Brisk winter conditions in Naperville, with kickoff temperatures near 30°F (-1°C) under partly cloudy skies and a 40% chance of light flurries from the northwest. Highs around 32°F (0°C), dropping to 22°F (-6°C) by the fourth quarter. Winds at 8-12 mph could impact deep balls, favoring ground games on the turf surface. Lake-effect snow risks are low but could add slipperiness if accumulation hits 0.5 inches.
Injury Report
Both teams enter healthy, with no significant absences after full practices on December 8-9, 2025. North Central’s depth was key in their third-round thriller, while Bethel managed minor dings from Platteville.
| Team | Player | Position | Status | Injury Details | Est. Return |
| North Central Cardinals | None major | – | – | – | – |
| Bethel Royals | None major | – | – | – | – |
Updates: North Central’s training staff reports all starters, including QB Garret Wilson, at 100%. Bethel QB Cooper Drews (35 rush yds in QF) shook off a minor tweak and is fully cleared.
Key Player Matchups
North Central’s efficiency (8.2 yards/play, No. 1 in DIII) tests Bethel’s tempo (65 plays/game), with turnovers (NC’s 18 forced) deciding a low-possession affair.
Garret Wilson (North Central QB, 207.8 ypg pass, 20 TDs) vs. Bethel Secondary (13 team INTs, led by Jackson Braun, 11 tackles/QF): Wilson’s accuracy (68% comp) and quick decisions face Braun’s coverage (1 sack, 1 FF in playoffs). Wilson has thrown for 250+ in three straight, but Bethel limits QBs to 54% completion.
Donovan McNeal (North Central RB, 100.9 ypg rush, 14 TDs) vs. Bethel Front Seven (3.4 ypg allowed/play, Braun anchoring): McNeal’s power (5.2 YPC) exploits gaps against a unit that held Platteville to 123 rush yds. Bethel’s 2.1 YPC allowed in playoffs could force McNeal into short gains.
Albert Rundell (North Central WR, 135 ypg, 1.8 TD/game) vs. Bethel CBs (No. 12 pass efficiency defense): Rundell’s big-play ability (29-yd avg. rec) stretches a secondary with 7 picks in MIAC play. Rundell has 100+ yds in five straight, testing Bethel’s zone schemes.
North Central DL (3.5 ypg allowed) vs. Cooper Drews (Bethel QB, 261.5 ypg pass, 35 rush yds/QF, 3 TDs): Cardinals’ pass rush (18 sacks) disrupts Drews’ mobility (19-28, 185 yds vs. Platteville). Drews’ on-time throws (low INT rate) could exploit if NC blitzes.
Taye Manns (Bethel RB, 81.5 ypg, TD rec vs. Platteville) vs. North Central LBs (top-5 rush defense, 2.8 YPC allowed): Manns’ versatility (receiving threat) meets a front that stuffed La Crosse for 89 rush yds. Manns’ burst could wear down in cold.
Bench impact: North Central’s Sam Bhaumik (K, 90% FG) vs. Bethel’s David Geebli (24 rush yds in rally).
Recent Team Forms
Both perfect squads thrive in playoffs: North Central’s defense clamps late (held foes under 10 pts in 2H of wins), Bethel’s offense rallies (24 unanswered vs. Platteville).
North Central Cardinals (5-0 in last 5; 10-0 in last 10):
Dec. 6: W 35-27 vs. UW-La Crosse (QF; Wilson: 220 pass yds, 2 TDs; defense 2 INTs, late stop seals)
Nov. 29: W 38-6 vs. Hanover (2nd round; McNeal: 110 rush yds, 2 TDs; +18 turnover margin)
Nov. 15: W 24-7 vs. Illinois Wesleyan (regular; Rundell: 140 rec yds; shutout 2H)
Nov. 8: W 58-0 @ Elmhurst (regular; Wilson: 250 pass yds, 3 TDs; 500+ total yds)
Nov. 1: W 64-7 @ Carroll (regular; McNeal: 120 rush yds; held foes under 150 yds)
North Central averages 42.6 PPG in playoffs, forcing 10 turnovers. Home: 7-0, +32.1 margin.
Bethel Royals (5-0 in last 5; 10-0 in last 10):
Dec. 6: W 35-24 vs. UW-Platteville (QF; Drews: 185 pass/35 rush yds, 3 total TDs; rallied from deficit)
Nov. 29: W 51-26 vs. Coe (2nd round; Manns: TD rec; +15 time of possession)
Nov. 15: W 62-0 @ St. Scholastica (regular; Drews: 300+ total yds, 4 TDs)
Nov. 8: W 49-7 vs. Carleton (regular; 400+ total offense, 7 rush TDs)
Nov. 1: W 55-9 @ Concordia (regular; Braun: 11 tackles; 4th-qtr explosion)
Bethel’s up-tempo: 45.2 PPG in wins, with 5 comebacks. Road: 6-0.
Conference vs Conference
The College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW) holds a slight historical edge over the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) in DIII football, winning 14 of 24 cross-conference matchups since 2010 (58.3%). CCIW teams (7 national titles, including North Central’s recent dominance) excel in balanced defenses (3.5 ypg allowed avg. in playoffs), while MIAC squads (6 titles) lead in offensive tempo (68 plays/game). Recent quarters: CCIW 5-3 vs. MIAC; MIAC unders in 7 of 10 road playoff games.
Team Records
| Team | Overall Record | Home/Away/Neutral | ATS Record (est.) | Over/Under Record (est.) |
| North Central Cardinals | 12-0 (1.000) | 7-0 Home / 5-0 Away | 10-2-0 | 8-4 |
| Bethel Royals | 12-0 (1.000) | 6-0 Home / 6-0 Away | 9-3-0 | 9-3 |
North Central tops DIII in scoring margin (+31.8); Bethel leads yards/play (6.3).
Series History
North Central leads the all-time series 1-1, with both prior meetings in DIII playoffs—intense, low-scoring affairs averaging 27.5 points. Bethel’s 2018 upset ended NC’s season; the Cardinals seek revenge.
| Date | Result | Score | Key Stat |
| Nov. 24, 2018 | Bethel Win (QF) | BET 27-24 NCC | Bethel: Late FG; NC: 3 turnovers |
| Nov. 23, 2013 | North Central Win (QF) | NCC 41-17 BET | NC: 300+ rush yds; Bethel: 4 INTs |
Betting Trends
Spread Trends: North Central 9-2 ATS as home favorites; Bethel 8-1 ATS in road underdog spots (covering QF by 11).
Total Trends: 8 of NC’s 12 games hit over (67%); Bethel overs in 9 of 12 (tempo-driven). DIII quarters avg. 50.2 points.
Moneyline Trends: NC 12-0 SU as favorites; Bethel 7-0 SU as underdogs.
Historical Betting Results
DIII quarterfinal favorites are 20-12 ATS since 2015 (62.5%), covering by 8+ in 11 of 16 home games. Underdogs cover 8-5 in rematches; totals under in cold weather (9-4 under 50 since 2018). Home No. 1 seeds win SU 14-4 but 7-11 ATS vs. top-5 offenses.
Game Odds
North Central (IL) Cardinals – 7.5
Bethel (MN) Royals 48.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Friday, December 12, 2025
