Even though the history of Northwest Conference football goes back a century, the Linfield University football team continues to raise the profile of the league and do things that haven’t been accomplished before.

The most noteworthy thing about Linfield football is that the team owns college football’s longest streak of consecutive winning seasons, a mark that began in 1956 and reached 68 years with a 10-2 record in 2024. The next-closest is Mount Union at 46 years. 

Last season was also just the second time in NWC history that two unbeaten teams (in conference action) met in the final game of the season to decide the conference champion. The first was 2023 and included the same two programs – Linfield and Whitworth. 

• Subscribe To Watch Linfield University Football In 2025
• Don’t Miss Any Action On FloFootball With An Annual Subscription
• 5 Biggest Things That Happened In College Football On FloFootball In 2024
• Division III Football’s Thomas Perry Is The Hidden Gem Of The 2025 NFL Draft

In 2023, Whitworth scored twice in the final quarter, while holding Linfield scoreless, to escape with a 28-24 victory.

Linfield got redemption in a big way in 2024, steamrolling the Pirates 34-7 to claim the NWC title and the conference’s automatic bid into the NCAA Division III Football Championship. 

It was the Wildcats’ third playoff appearance in the last four seasons, 18th trip to the NCAA playoffs, and 33rd postseason opportunity overall.

An additional reward for Linfield was a first-round bye, which was followed by a 65-3 rout of Texas Lutheran in the second round. The Wildcats bowed out a week later, falling to Mary Hardin-Baylor, 28-18. Lindfield finished the campaign 10-2 overall and 7-0 in conference play.

Whitworth also made a return to the Division III Playoffs last season, defeating Pomona-Pitzer in the opening round (21-13), before losing to eventual national champion North Central (42-17). 

Over their last 100 contests, the Linfield Wildcats have won more than 90 games. In 2025, they’ll look to continue their success under head coach Joseph Smith, who has been at the helm for two decades, leading the team to 14 NWC titles and 14 playoff appearances, including three trips to the national semifinals (2009, 2014, 2015).

The one thing missing from Smith’s time at Linfield – as a player and as a head coach with 165 wins – is a national championship, though he did help the Wildcats to the 2004 Division III national title as the defensive coordinator. The squad also won NAIA Division II national titles under Ad Rutschman in 1982, 1984, and 1986.

The quest for a fifth trophy will begin at home Sept. 6 against UW-Oshkosh. The Wildcats will host back-to-back nonconference games before traveling to George Fox on Oct. 4 for the first of their seven consecutive conference games.

How To Stream Linfield University Football Games In 2025

Every NWC and home Linfield University football game will stream live on FloCollege and the FloSports app. 

Game replays, highlights and breaking news will also be available on both platforms.

Linfield Football Schedule 2025

All Times Eastern/Pacific

• Sept. 6 (Sat): 4 p.m./1 p.m. vs. UW-Oshkosh
• Sept. 20 (Sat): 4 p.m./1 p.m. vs. Chapman
• Oct. 4 (Sat): 4 p.m./1 p.m. at George Fox
• Oct. 11 (Sat): 4 p.m./1 p.m. vs. Pacific (Homecoming)
• Oct. 18 (Sat): 4 p.m./1 p.m. vs. Whitworth
• Oct. 25 (Sat): 4 p.m./1 p.m. at Pacific Lutheran
• Nov. 1 (Sat): 4 p.m./1 p.m. vs. Lewis & Clark
• Nov. 8 (Sat): 4 p.m./1 p.m. at Puget Sound
• Nov. 15 (Sat): 4 p.m./1 p.m. vs. Willamette 

What Was The Linfield Football Record In 2024?

10-2 (7-0 NWC)

• Linfield 31, Denison 7
• Wisconsin-Oshkosh 28, Linfield 21 (OT)
• Linfield 45, Redlands 0
• Linfield 72, Willamette 0
• Linfield 47, Lewis & Clark 14
• Linfield 47, George Fox 7
• Linfield 62, Puget Sound 13
• Linfield 68, Pacific 28
• Linfield 38, Pacific Lutheran 10
• Linfield 34, Whitworth 7
• Linfield 65, Texas Lutheran 3
• Mary Hardin-Baylor 28, Linfield 18

When Do The 2025 NCAA Division III College Football Playoffs Start?

The first round of the 2025 NCAA Division III Playoffs will be Nov. 22.

The 2025 Division III Football Championship title game will be played Jan. 10, 2026, at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio.

College Football Rankings 2024 – Final AFCA Division III Coaches Poll

End Of 2024 Season

1. North Central (Ill.) (43) 15-0
2. Mount Union (Ohio) 14-1
3. Johns Hopkins (Md.) 12-2
4. Susquehanna (Pa.) 12-2
5. Salisbury (Md.) 12-1
6. Springfield (Mass.) 12-1
7. St. John’s (Minn.) 11-1
8. Cortland (N.Y.) 11-1
9. DePauw (Ind.) 11-1
10. Bethel (Minn.) 11-3
11. Mary Hardin-Baylor (Tex.) 8-4
12. Wartburg (Iowa) 10-2
13. Hope (Mich.) 11-1
14. Carnegie Mellon (Pa.) 10-2
15. Hardin-Simmons (Tex.) 10-1
16. Linfield (Ore.) 10-2
17. Wisconsin-Platteville 9-2
18. Randolph-Macon (Va.) 10-2
19. Endicott (Mass.) 10-2
20. Grove City (Pa.) 9-2
21. Wisconsin-La Crosse 8-4
22. Aurora (Ill.) 9-2
23. Whitworth (Wash.) 10-2
24. Washington & Jefferson (Pa.) 9-2
25. Coe (Iowa) 9-2

Others Receiving Votes: Hobart (N.Y.), 80; Lake Forest (Ill.), 49; John Carroll (Ohio), 42; Trinity (Tex.), 37; Wheaton (Ill.), 26; Wisconsin-River Falls, 24; King’s (Pa.), 15; Centre (Ky.), 11; Maryville (Tenn.), 10; Massachusetts-Dartmouth, 5; Texas Lutheran, 5; Ursinus (Pa.), 3; Wisconsin-Oshkosh, 2; Alma (Mich.), 1.

Pomona-Pitzer, Catholic University, And More Won In Week 9 | 2024 Division III College Football

See some of the top Division III football plays from Week 9 of the 2024 season.

Archived Footage On FloCollege

Video footage from all games will be archived and stored in a video library for FloCollege subscribers to watch for the duration of their subscriptions.

Watch The 2025 College Football Season On FloCollege

FloCollege is the home of the best FCS, Division II and Division III football action all season long. 

Don't miss the latest college football action by bookmarking the FloCollege schedule page for the latest games. 

Join The College Football Conversation

• Follow us on Twitter @FloCollegeFB
• Follow us on Instagram @FloCollegeFootball
• Follow us on TikTok @FloCollegeFootball
• Watch us on YouTube
• Like us on Facebook