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No. 20 Baker Set to Host First Round Playoff Game Against No. 21 Louisiana Christian
Posted: Nov 15, 2023

No. 20 Baker Set to Host First Round Playoff Game Against No. 21 Louisiana Christian

BALDWIN CITY, Kan. – Making its first appearance since the 2020-21 season, No. 20 Baker earned a spot in the NAIA Football Championship Series after securing an automatic bid and will host a first round matchup against No. 21 Louisiana Christian on Saturday, Nov. 18 at 1 p.m. at Liston Stadium in Baldwin City, Kan.

After closing out the regular season with a 48-14 victory over Missouri Valley on Saturday, the Wildcats finished as Heart South Division Tri-Champs, earning a share of the conference championship with Benedictine and MidAmerica Nazarene. BU received the South's automatic bid after finishing higher in the final rankings, coming in at No. 20 in the NAIA's final regular-season poll.

A year after going 5-6, first-year head coach Miguel Regalado has the NAIA's all-time winningest program back in the postseason after boasting an 8-2 record during the regular season and a 4-1 record against Heart South opponents. Regalado was an assistant coach during Baker's string of five postseason appearances from 2008-2016, including the 2016 team that reached the NAIA Championship game.

"This team and staff has accomplished a lot in our short time together," said Regalado. "This group has been a ton of fun to coach and I believed they deserved another game, so I'm grateful the playoff committee agreed as well. I've told this team from day one, being in the postseason is expected at Baker and we're looking forward to representing our great university at historic Liston Stadium on Saturday."

It marks the 20th appearance for Baker football in the NAIA playoffs where the Wildcats carry an 18-19 all-time record and national runner-up finishes from 2016 and 1986. In BU's last FCS outing in 2020-21, the Wildcats defeated Olivet Nazarene, 59-54 at home in the first round before falling to Morningside in the quarterfinals.

With kickoff set for 1 p.m., gates at Liston Stadium will open one hour prior to kickoff (12 p.m.) with entrances located at the north and northwest side of the stadium. Tickets for all fans will be required at entry with cash or card options available, prices include:

  • $10 for Adults 19+
  • $5 for Ages 18 and under, college students with valid school ID, Seniors (62+) and military veterans.

Due to NAIA guidelines, there will be no pass list and all fans will be required to purchase a ticket for admission. However, thanks to generous donations by Baker President Dr. Lynne Murray and local businesses Kansas State Bank, Baldwin State Bank and Mid America Bank, the first 300 Baker students get in FREE with a valid Baker ID

You can purchase an advance ticket for Saturday's game online here.

If you're unable to attend the game, you can watch a live stream of the game on the Heart Conference Network and follow along with the live stats on BakerWildcats.com.

#BakerBuildsChampions