Avila University Eagles Football Program Ranks 15th in the Nation with the Opportunity to Play in the NAIA Post-Season Tournament

A Win on Saturday Clinches First-Ever Tournament Berth

by Darren Roubinek

Kansas City, MO (11/11/2022) — This weekend marks a historic opportunity for Kansas City's only college football team, the Avila University Eagles. A win over Friends University on Saturday, November 12, 2022, will secure the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference's (KCAC) automatic bid in the NAIA National Tournament for the Eagles. This would be Avila's first tournament appearance.

The Eagles are 9-1 overall and 8-1 in the KCAC, with their one loss coming to Southwestern College. Avila will share the conference title with Bethel with a win, but Avila will receive the KCAC berth due to a head-to-head points tiebreaker against Bethel and Southwestern College.

This season, the Avila Eagles football program has set a new program record for wins and conference wins. The Eagles have won at least seven games every season since Marc Benavidez became the head coach of his alma mater in 2018.

On offense, the Eagles are led by freshman quarterback Elijah (Eli) Williams and senior running back Malik Nesbitt. Williams has thrown for 16 touchdowns and run for another nine. Nesbitt has rushed for 11 touchdowns and is a two-time KCAC Offensive Player of the Week.

Kickoff Saturday is scheduled for 1 p.m. at the Zarda Multisport Complex on the Avila campus. Admission is priced at $10 per person for visiting fans, with a Livestream option on the Avila Sports Network.

Media Attachments

Avila University Football

Malik

Nesbitt

Kinesiology (BS)
Class of 2023
Savannah, GA

Elijah

Williams

CO
Sapulpa, OK

Avila University

Avila University Eagles Football Program Ranks 15th in the Nation with the Opportunity to Play in the NAIA Post-Season Tournament

A Win on Saturday Clinches First-Ever Tournament Berth

Media Attachments

Avila University

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