OVERVIEW: Five Great Midwest Football programs competed during week zero of the 2026 season. The conference recorded an overall record of 2-3. Ohio Dominican’s upset over Division I opponent Morehead State was the highlight of opening weekend.
 
SCOREBOARD:
Thursday, August 27
Walsh 30, West Liberty 27
Ohio Dominican 42, Morehead State 40
Carson Newman 41, Tiffin 38
Kentucky Christian 44, Kentucky Wesleyan 24
 
Saturday, August 29
Wheeling 27, Thomas More 10
 
INSIDE THE GAMES:

• Ohio Dominican opened the 2026 season with a 42-40 triple-overtime upset of FCS Morehead State on the road. The Panthers jumped out to a 28-12 lead in the third quarter, highlighted by Parker's 52-yard TD run and a 66-yard touchdown pass to Luke Hess. Morehead State rallied to tie the game at 34-34 and eventually took a 40-34 lead in the third overtime. Ohio Dominican answered with Conner Campbell's 27-yard touchdown reception from Parker, then sealed the upset with a two-point conversion to win 42-40. The Panthers' defense also came up big, recording four interceptions and 11 pass breakups.
• Walsh opened its season with a 30-27 road victory over West Liberty, overcoming a late Hilltopper comeback attempt. Jake Gill led the Cavaliers with three touchdowns, rushing for two scores and adding another touchdown reception. QB Hayden Wickard threw for 223 yards and connected with Brady Gooding for a 62-yard touchdown, one of the biggest plays of the night. West Liberty scored twice in the fourth quarter to cut the deficit to three, but the Walsh defense stood tall in the final minutes to preserve the victory.
• Tiffin racked up 442 total yards, including 292 rushing yards, while holding Carson-Newman to 288 total yards. Ronald Blackman was electric: The veteran running back rushed for 144 yards on 23 carries with two touchdowns, including a 54-yard touchdown burst in the second quarter.

 
INDIVIDUAL LEADERS:

• Passing: Carson Parker, ODU (277 yards)
• Rushing: Ronald Blackman, TU & Dominick Hollos, KWC (144 yards) 
• Receiving: Brady Gooding, WU (110 yards)
• Scoring: Jake Gill, WU (18 Points)
• Tackles for Loss: Mason Welsch, ODU (2)
• Punting: Ian Furlong, ODU (346 yards)

 
UP NEXT:
Week 1 Matchups
 
Thursday, September 3
Northwood at Wayne State, 6 P.M. ET
Ohio Dominican at Edinboro 7 P.M. ET
Ashland vs. Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP), 7 P.M. ET
 
Saturday, September 5
Hillsdale vs. McKendree, Noon ET
Findlay at Indianapolis, 2 P.M. ET
Lake Erie vs. Saint Anselm, 3 P.M. ET
Walsh vs. Wheeling, 6 P.M. ET
Kentucky Wesleyan vs. West Florida, 1 P.M. ET
Tiffin at Northern Michigan, 6 P.M. ET