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Coming off the program’s 12th consecutive winning season with a 6-4 record in 2025, the Denison football team looks to maintain momentum and compete for the top spot in a highly competitive North Coast Athletic Conference.

2025 Recap

The 2025 season saw success on both sides of the ball, with the Big Red receiving multiple accolades for each phase of the game. Quarterback Tyler Green and wide receiver Grayson Kerscher led the offense, helping the program break multiple offensive records and average 31.2 points per game, while the air-raid attack averaged a conference-best 348.5 passing yards per game. Kerscher returns to the Denison offense for his senior season, coming off a 2025 that saw him log an NCAC-best 1065 yards in conference play, standing as the lone receiver with 1000 yards against the league. 

On defense, Denison landed four players on All-NCAC teams and was tied for second in the conference in interceptions with 12. The defense forced four opponents under 20 points, including two wins over Oberlin and Wooster, where neither school scored more than 10. 

The season was highlighted by wins over Ohio Wesleyan on Big Red Weekend, as well as a road shootout victory against Wittenberg, 43-40.

NCAC Preseason Poll

Denison was slated fifth in the NCAC preseason poll with 57 points, behind John Carroll (95), DePauw (93), Wabash (76), and new member WashU (68). WashU has transitioned from the CCIW to the NCAC as of this year as a football-only affiliate, bringing the conference to 10 teams total.

 









2026 North Coast Athletic Conference

Football Coaches’ Poll


Place
Institution (1st Place Votes)
Total Points


1
John Carroll (6)
95


2
DePauw (4)
93


3
Wabash
76


4
WashU
68


5
Denison
57


6
Wittenberg
51


7
Ohio Wesleyan
38


8
Wooster
36


9
Kenyon
22


10
Oberlin
14

Key Returners

The Big Red will return six All-NCAC performers from last season, with two being on offense, and four on defense. On the offensive end, senior wide receiver Grayson Kerscher leads the pack as one of the most explosive offensive players in the country and conference. Kerscher led the conference in yards (1,239), yards per catch (15.9), and yards per game (123.9). He became the third player in Denison history to record over 1,000 receiving yards in a season, and broke the record for longest play in Denison history with a 99-yard touchdown against DePauw this past season. Also named All-NCAC was left tackle Brady Moffitt, who has been a two-time All-NCAC selection. 

On defense, Nick Pellicciotta leads the group, as he ranked second on the team in tackles (55), interceptions (2), and pass breakups (8). Pellicciotta was named third team All-NCAC for the second consecutive season. Another Big Red to be selected to back-to-back All-NCAC teams was defensive lineman Ben Perin, who finished his 2025 campaign with 16 tackles, two tackles for loss, and a sack. Colton Morrow and Drew Duffy were also named to the third team squad, respectively.

A Look at the Schedule

 


Home Opener: Sept. 5 vs. Hope College at 1 pm
NCAC Opener: Sept. 10 (Thurs.) vs. Oberlin at 7 pm
Family Weekend: Sept. 26 vs. Ohio Wesleyan at 2 pm
Big Red Weekend/Senior Day: Nov. 7 vs. Wittenberg at 7 pm