NAIA Football Preview: Midland Greyhounds (0-0) vs. UMary Marauders (0-0)

Time: 6:30 PM CDT
Venue: Jack Zeller Field, Foundation Field, Bismarck, North Dakota

Season Context

Midland enters the 2025 season aiming to return to the Great Plains Athletic Conference title conversation after a 7–4 finish and third-place GPAC showing in 2024. UMary looks to climb the Frontier Conference standings following a 6–5 campaign that featured late-season defensive adjustments and an uptick in red-zone efficiency.

Team Overviews

Midland Greyhounds

Head Coach: Kyle Jackson (5th season)

2024 Record: 7–4 overall, 5–2 GPAC

Offense:

QB Tyrese Caldwell – precise passer with 2,100 yards and 18 TDs

RB Jackson Rivera – between-the-tackles runner with 900 yards and 10 TDs

Defense:

LB Tanner Smith – led team with 85 tackles

DB Devin Wallace – ballhawk with 5 interceptions

UMary Marauders

Head Coach: Josh Moccia (4th season)

2024 Record: 6–5 overall, 4–4 Frontier Conference

Offense:

QB Kaiden Johnson – dual-threat signal-caller with 1,800 yards and 12 TDs

RB Elijah Greene – workhorse back with 1,000 rushing yards and 9 TDs

Defense:

DE Hunter Roberts – disruptive force with 7.5 sacks

DB Aaron Thompson – contested catches and 4 picks

Head-to-Head

This marks the first-ever meeting between Midland and UMary. Both programs will use this opener to set a tone for conference play and test new offensive schemes.

Key Players to Watch

Midland

Tyrese Caldwell (QB): Efficient game manager who excels on play-action.

Jackson Rivera (RB): Breakaway speed complemented by inside power.

Tanner Smith (LB): Sideline-to-sideline presence anchoring a veteran front seven.

UMary

Kaiden Johnson (QB): Extends drives with his legs and throws a catchable deep ball.

Elijah Greene (RB): Consistent between-the-tackles runner with homerun upside.

Hunter Roberts (DE): Early-down penetrator who can collapse the pocket.

Additional Notes

Kickoff temperatures forecasted in the mid-60s with clear skies—perfect conditions for an opening-night contest. UMary’s offensive line returns four starters, promising better pass protection than last season. Special teams battle could hinge on UMary’s freshman kicker, Aidan Keller, vs. Midland’s veteran punter, Cole Hanson.