2023 NCAA Division III football season

2023 NCAA Division III football season was the 51st season of NCAA Division III football. The regular season began in early September and concluded in mid-November, culminating in the Division III Football Championship, known as the Amos Alonzo Stagg Bowl. The Cortland Red Dragons defeated the defending champion North Central Cardinals to win their first national title, ending North Central's 29-game winning streak in a dramatic contest at Salem Stadium.

Season overview

The season featured 239 member institutions competing across 27 automatic qualifying conferences and several independent programs. Preseason attention focused on the North Central Cardinals, the two-time defending Stagg Bowl champions led by coach Brad Spencer. Key non-conference matchups included early tests for perennial powers like the Mount Union Purple Raiders and the Mary Hardin–Baylor Crusaders. The Wisconsin–Whitewater Warhawks and the Wartburg Knights also posted strong campaigns, while the Cortland Red Dragons emerged as a dominant force in the Empire 8 Conference under coach Curt Fitzpatrick. The regular season was marked by several upsets that reshaped the playoff picture, including losses by traditional contenders like the Linfield Wildcats and the Delaware Valley Aggies.

Conference standings

Conference champions earned automatic bids to the 32-team national tournament. In the American Southwest Conference, the Mary Hardin–Baylor Crusaders claimed the title, while the North Central Cardinals dominated the CCIW. The Old Dominion Athletic Conference was won by the Randolph–Macon Yellow Jackets, and the MIAC title went to the Saint John's Johnnies. The WIAC championship was secured by the Wisconsin–Whitewater Warhawks, and the NESCAC saw the Trinity Bantams finish atop the standings. Other notable champions included the Mount Union Purple Raiders in the OAC, the Wartburg Knights in the American Rivers Conference, and the Cortland Red Dragons in the Empire 8.

Postseason

The Division III playoffs began on November 18 with 32 teams. Top seeds included North Central, Cortland, Mount Union, and Wartburg. Early rounds featured notable victories by the Randolph–Macon Yellow Jackets over the Johns Hopkins Blue Jays and the Aurora Spartans' run to the quarterfinals. The semifinals saw Cortland defeat the Wisconsin–Whitewater Warhawks and North Central overcome the Wartburg Knights. The Stagg Bowl on December 15 at Salem Stadium was a historic showdown, where Cortland quarterback Zachary Boyes led a last-minute drive to defeat North Central 38-37, securing the program's first national championship.

Statistical leaders

Individual statistical leaders were recognized by the NCAA and D3football.com. In passing, Zachary Boyes of Cortland led in touchdowns, while Luke Lehnen of North Central topped efficiency ratings. Rushing leaders included E'mond Brown of Washington & Jefferson and Jaden Rhea of Mount St. Joseph. Receiving yardage was dominated by DeAngelo Hardy of North Central and Trey Dixon of Hardin–Simmons. On defense, Cade Campagna of Linfield led in tackles, and Kyle Gallagher of Springfield was among the sack leaders. Special teams standouts included Michael Stack of Carnegie Mellon in kicking and Coleman Sweeney of Coe in punting average.

Awards and honors

The season's top individual honor, the Gagliardi Trophy, was awarded to quarterback Luke Lehnen of North Central. The AFCA named Cortland coach Curt Fitzpatrick its Division III Coach of the Year. The Associated Press and D3football.com All-America teams featured numerous players, including first-team selections DeAngelo Hardy of North Central, Zachary Boyes of Cortland, and defensive standouts like Cade Campagna of Linfield. Conference player of the year awards were distributed across the nation, such as in the CCIW, OAC, and WIAC. The Stagg Bowl Most Outstanding Player was awarded to Cortland quarterback Zachary Boyes for his championship performance.

Category:NCAA Division III football seasons