Linfield began the season receiving votes in the D3football.com Preseason Top 25 Poll, leaping into the top-25 rankings after pouncing on the Wisconsin-Oshkosh Titans in Saturday's season opener.

Sunday's latest ranking is the highest the Wildcats have been ranked since they began the 2025 season at No. 16 in the national poll, spending the rest of last season receiving votes. 

The 'Cats revenge tour to Oshkosh helped them snap a three-game skid against the Titans, their first win over the Titans in program history. Senior Kenyon Johnson saw his first start at wide receiver, entering the season as a D3football.com Preseason First Team All-American at the cornerback position. Johnson hauled in six catches for 171 yards and one touchdown; the eighth-most yards in Division III this week. Quarterback Luke McNabb racked up 268 yards of total offense and four total touchdowns, going 12-20 (60%) through the air. The defense held Oshkosh scoreless in quarters two and three, forcing one fumble caused by senior Jaydon Kaio and holding the Titans to 0-for-9 on third down.

Linfield looks to keep rolling, heading to Orange, California, to take on the Chapman Panthers on September 19 at 7 p.m. The Wildcats are 6-1 all-time against the Panthers, coming off of a 28-13 win a season ago at Maxwell Field.

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