ADRIAN, Mich. – The Adrian College football team kicks off the 2026 season tomorrow afternoon when the Bulldogs host Ohio Northern University. Adrian is coming off its first eight-win season since 2014, finishing the 2025 campaign with an 8-2 record that included a victory over FCS Division I program Valparaiso University. The Bulldogs' two losses came in conference play by a combined three points.
The Bulldogs return plenty of talent in 2026 and are home to three preseason All-Americans, as selected by D3football.com. Ethan Burrows will look to lead the Adrian defense after a standout 2025 season in which he led NCAA Division III with eight interceptions. Joe Pruchnic returns as a leader on the offensive line after earning All-American honors, while Cooper Tracy will be a key piece of the Bulldogs' special teams after an All-American freshman season at punter.
Two players looking to make another big impact offensively are running back Trey Brueggemann and wide receiver Braiden Whitaker. Brueggemann rushed 118 times for 538 yards and 10 touchdowns last season, while Whitaker hauled in 71 passes for 896 yards and nine touchdowns.
The Bulldogs have several options at quarterback, including 2025 backup Sebastian Boswell. Boswell appeared in four games last season, completing 12-of-20 passes for a touchdown. Adrian could also turn to Jake Wright, who joins the Bulldogs as a transfer from the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor.
On defense, Adrian returns plenty of experience, including Bennett Gilde, Maddox Woods, Tim Simons, Andrew VanDyke and Ethan Layton. Gilde finished second on the team in tackles last season with 68, followed by Woods with 52, Burrows with 46, Simons with 41, VanDyke with 38 and Layton with 20. Simons also forced three fumbles during the 2025 season, while Woods added two.
Adrian was selected to finish third in the 2026 Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) Preseason Poll, as voted on by the conference's head coaches. In addition to the third-place projection, the Bulldogs received one first-place vote. D3football.com and the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) also have Adrian receiving votes in their respective preseason top-25 polls.
The Bulldogs will open the season at home before hitting the road for three consecutive games. Adrian returns home on Saturday, October 3, when it hosts Calvin University for Homecoming 2026.
Tickets for the 2026 Adrian College football season, along with parking passes, can be purchased online at www.adrianbulldogs.com.
