GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - The Calvin University football team has been picked to finish fourth out of eight schools in the MIAA preseason coaches' poll released this afternoon. All eight MIAA head football coaches voted in the poll with coaches not allowed to vote for their own team.
Calvin received 28 points in the poll, one point ahead of fifth place Trine (29 points). Hope is the preseason favorite with a first-place total of seven points with the Flying Dutchmen receiving a unanimous seven first place votes. Alma is second with 15 points with Adrian third with 17 points and one first place vote.
Under the direction of head coach
Trent Figg, Calvin heads into its third varsity campaign this fall. A year ago, in its second season of competition, Calvin posted an overall record of 7-3, a year after finishing 2-8. The Knights went 4-3 in league play, defeating Kalamazoo, Trine, Olivet and Albion to finish fourth in the final 2025 MIAA standings.
Calvin returns 72 letterwinners from its 2025 squad including junior linebacker
Carson Schnurstein who has been named a preseason 2026 D3football.com All-American. Schnurstein is one of four returning players that received All-MIAA honors in 2025. Schnurstein was named to the 2025 All-MIAA First Team. Junior running back/slot receiver
Hunter Hogan was named to the 2025 All-MIAA Second Team. Junior offensive lineman
Brayden Steinbacher and senior defensive lineman C.J. Sheets were also named to the 2025 All-MIAA Second Team. In total, Calvin returns 10 starters on offense and eight starters on defense from its 2025 squad.
Calvin is set to open its season on September 5 when it travels to Otterbein in Westerville, Ohio, for a contest slated to start at noon (ET). Calvin will host five games this fall. The Knights will host St. Norbert (Wisc.) on September 12 and will follow by hosting Olivet on September 26 in a contest that will serve as Calvin's MIAA opener and its Homecoming Game. Other home games include MIAA contests against Kalamazoo (Oct. 17), Albion (Oct. 24) and Hope (Nov. 7).
2026 MIAA Football Preseason Poll Results:
1. Hope College – 7 points (7 first-place votes)
2. Alma College - 15 points
3. Adrian College – 17 points (1 first place vote)
4. Calvin University - 28 points
5. Trine University - 29 points
6. Albion College - 40 points
7. Kalamazoo College - 42 points
8. University of Olivet - 46 points
