OTTAWA, Kan. - After closing the 2025 season as one of the hottest teams in the KCAC, the Ottawa University football team has been selected to finish second in the Dr. Ted Kessinger Division in the 2026 KCAC Football Preseason Coaches' Poll.
The Braves received 20 points in the poll, trailing only defending division champion Evangel University. The Valor received 25 points and five first-place votes. Tabor College was third with 17 points and received the remaining first-place vote.
Ottawa enters the 2026 season looking to build on a strong finish to 2025. The Braves finished 6-5 overall and 4-1 in the Kessinger Division, placing second behind Evangel.
OU closed the season with four consecutive victories, defeating Tabor College, Bethany College, Avila University and Bethel College. During that four-game winning streak, Ottawa outscored its opponents 154-51 and posted a shutout against Avila. The Braves capped the season with a 52-24 victory over Bethel at AdventHealth Field.
The Braves return plenty of experience from that squad, which was reflected in the 2026 KCAC Football Dr. Ted Kessinger Division Preseason Team. Ottawa had 14 student-athletes selected to the preseason team, tied with Evangel for the most selections in the division. The team was voted on by the Kessinger Division's head coaches.
De'Anthony Curtis highlighted Ottawa's preseason selections, earning recognition at three positions — wide receiver, kick return specialist and punt return specialist. Curtis finished the 2025 season with 45 receptions for 692 yards and four touchdowns. He ranked fourth in the Kessinger Division in receptions and receiving yards and third in receiving yards per game.
Ottawa's preseason selections included:
- Luke Edwards, QB
- Anthoney Powell, RB
- Malakai Hudson, RB
- Rowdy Keith, TE
- De'Anthony Curtis, WR/KR/PR
- Jayden Johnson, WR
- Shane Sexton, OL
- Byson Nolan, DL
- Cade Monroe, LB
- Donovan Martin, DB
- Ethan Yinger, DB
- Elijah Hann, DB
- Liam Aldridge, LS
- Ike Prengal, K
The Braves showed significant improvement in 2025, particularly during divisional play. Ottawa's only Kessinger Division loss came on the road against Evangel, 28-23. OU responded by winning its final four games and finished alone in second place in the division.
2026 KCAC Football Dr. Ted Kessinger Division Preseason Coaches' Poll
| Rank |
Team |
Points |
First-Place Votes |
| 1 |
Evangel University |
25 |
5 |
| 2 |
Ottawa University |
20 |
— |
| 3 |
Tabor College |
17 |
1 |
| 4 |
Bethel College |
11 |
— |
| 5 |
Bethany College |
10 |
— |
| 6 |
Avila University |
7 |
— |
The preseason coaches' poll was voted on exclusively by the head coaches within the Kessinger Division.
