Kearney, Neb. - The MIAA has released the preseason coaches and media polls for the upcoming 2026 football season. 

The polls were revealed Monday morning (July 27) as a part of MIAA Media Day in Topeka; note head coaches are not allowed to vote for their own team in the coaches' rankings. Head coach Ryan Held, along with center Carter Klein (Pleasanton) and linebacker Parker Wise (Kearney H.S.), are slated to speak to the media at 11:15 a.m.. The press conference is available for free at www.themiaanetwork.com.

UNK went 6-5 (4-5 MIAA) last fall, posting a 4-1 home mark and having 10 all-league selections. Klein, Wise and punter Marty Mormino (Omaha Westside) are the returning all-league players with running back Isaiah Harris (Millard South) earning the honor in 2024. He was granted an NCAA waiver in June to play this fall after suffering a season-ending injury in game five. He was at 140 yards per game and 7.8 yards per carry at the time of his setback. 

The Lopers are seventh in both the coaches and media polls. In both, Emporia is sixth, Washburn eighth, Missouri Western ninth and Missouri Southern is 10th. Northwest Missouri leads the media rankings with Pittsburg State first on the coaches' side. Finally, Central Oklahoma, Fort Hays State and Central Missouri occupy three through five in both polls. 

Held and his staff have 29 letterwinners returning, including 10 starters (four offense, four defense and two special teams). Other returning veterans include quarterback Abram Scholting (Pierce), back Stone Wilson (Dodge City, Kan.), receiver Ryker Evans (Elwood), o-linemen Dawson Fox (St. Paul) and Logan White (Parker, Colo.), kicker Trey Prichard (Monument, Colo.), safeties Kolten Tilford (North Platte) and Tyson Boganowski (Gretna), linebacker Dylan Jordan (Pittsburg, Kan.) and bevy of d-lineman and ends led by Wayne Tei-Kirby (Pocatello, Idaho), Koren Conrad (Kearney Catholic), Weston Heinemann (Bennington) and Kade Seip (Lincoln North Star). 

Fall camp begins on Monday, Aug. 3, with the opener set for Thursday, Aug. 27, vs Wayne State. 

MIAA Coaches Poll (1st Place)
1. Pittsburg State [7] 
2. Northwest Missouri [3] 
3. Central Oklahoma
4. Fort Hays State
5. Central Missouri
6. Emporia State
7. UNK 
8. Washburn 
9. Missouri Western  
10. Missouri Southern 
 
MIAA Media Poll (1st Place)
1. Northwest Missouri [19] 
2. Pittsburg State [10] 
3. Central Oklahoma [1] 
4. Central Missouri
5. Fort Hays State
6. Emporia State
7. UNK 
8. Washburn 
9. Missouri Western  
10. Missouri Southern