OVERVIEW: Great Midwest football programs recorded an overall record of 6-2 during week one of the 2026 season. The highlight of the week came from Findlay’s upset over No. 9 UIndy.
 
SCOREBOARD:
Thursday, September 3
Northwood 52, Wayne State 0
Edinboro 38, Ohio Dominican 36
IUP 34, Ashland 24
 
Saturday, September 5
Hillsdale 55, McKendree 24
Findlay 30, UIndy 10
Lake Erie 35, Saint Anselm 7
Walsh 23, Wheeling 21
Tiffin 35, Northern Michigan 7
 
INSIDE THE GAMES:

• The Oilers made the biggest national splash of Week 1, traveling to Indianapolis and pulling off a dominant 30-10 victory over the top-10 ranked Greyhounds. Under first-year head coach Tyler Johns, Findlay jumped out to an early lead thanks to a Denny Furlong touchdown to put the Oilers on the board. Running back Christian Davis carried the ball 12 times for 107 yards, that included a pair of touchdowns. Linebacker Jon Slaper anchored a defense that allowed just one touchdown. He led the Oilers with 9 total tackles, including 2.0 tackles for loss (TFL).
• Northwood turned in the most comprehensive performance of Week 1, shutting out regional foe Wayne State 52-0. Running back Trent Hill led the offensive explosive effort with 3 rushing touchdowns, while quarterback Ethan Hamby threw for two scores. Northwood's defense held Wayne State to just 170 yards of total offense while forcing 3 fumbles and recording 6 sacks.
• Hillsdale exploded for 55 points in its home opener at Frank "Muddy" Waters Stadium, pulling away from McKendree. The Chargers produced 497 total yards of offense—including 314 on the ground—utilizing big scoring plays in the second half to notch a 1-0 start. Ben Ngishu led all rushing yards with 212 on 19 attempts.
• Walsh went wire-to-wire with MEC opponent Wheeling. Jake Gill accounted for three total touchdowns. He rushed 18 times for 83 yards. Hayden Wickard was efficient through the air, completing 12-of-18 passes.
• Kyle Antoine of Tiffin orchestrated a balanced passing attack, completing 21-of-30 passes for 267 yards, 2 touchdowns, and 0 interceptions.

 
INDIVIDUAL LEADERS:
 

• Rushing: Ben Ngishu, HC (212.0 yards per game)
• Passing: Drew Novvak, AU (258.0 yards per game)
• Receiving: Tyleik Maxwell, LEC (125.0 yards per game)
• Scoring: Trent Hill, NU & Shea Ruddy, HC (18.0 points per game)
• Returns: Shea Ruddy, HC (96.0 yards per game)
• Tackles: Josh Noble, KWC (13.0 tackles per game)
• Sacks: Jooe Lathers & Ty Farmer, NU (2.0 sacks per game)
• Interceptions: Sean Westmoreland, ODU (2 interceptions)

 
 
UP NEXT:
Week 2 Matchups
Saturday, September 12
Northwood vs. Saginaw Valley, Noon ET
Thomas More at Dayton, Noon ET
Findlay vs. Fairmont State, Noon ET
Hillsdale vs. Wayne State, Noon ET
Lake Erie at Wheeling, 4 P.M. ET
Kentucky Wesleyan vs. William Jewell, 6 P.M. ET
Ashland vs. Grand Valley State, 7 P.M. ET