Football

Northwestern College’s Gianna Bennett lives out her ‘relationship with Christ’ through good works

By Kevin Mercer Sep 24, 2026
Northwestern College kicker Gianna Bennett. (Photo by Zachary Lucy Photography)

Every time Gianna Bennett lines up a kick this fall, it’s already notable because she’s one of only a few women currently playing collegiate tackle football. But as the starting kicker for perennial NAIA powerhouse Northwestern College in Orange City, Iowa, the redshirt sophomore is making a difference with every made kick.

Earlier this month, she was named to the 2026 AFCA Good Works Team, the first woman to earn the honor in the team’s 35-year history. Each year, the Good Works Team “recognizes college football players for their leadership in community service, academics and athletics.” There were 22 selections this year and just two from NAIA schools.

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With every point Bennett scores, supporters have pledged a monetary donation to Every Kick Counts, a fundraising program supporting the stillbirth prevention campaign Count the Kicks. The campaign provides expectant parents with life-saving information that supports healthy pregnancies. Bennett has raised $40,000 over the past four years.

Bennett has converted both of her field goal attempts (including a career-long 39-yarder) this season and 12 of her 13 extra points, helping her team to a No. 22 national ranking. This comes a year after splitting the uprights on eight of her 12 field goals and 25 of her 28 extra points. In her first year as a collegian, she became the first woman to score a point in the history of the Great Plains Athletic Conference. People have taken notice of her fundraising efforts.

“[Being named to the Good Works Team] is an awesome and well-deserved honor for Gianna,” NWC head coach Matt McCarty said. “I am proud of her for the work she does on and off the field. She does an outstanding job of using her platform to make a difference and positively impact others.”

Bennett has met many of the families who have benefited from Count the Kicks, including a child from her old elementary school whose life was saved by the program. But her service to those around her doesn’t end there. In addition to her work with Every Kick Counts, the Urbandale, Iowa, native makes time to serve as a mentor and tutor at Northwestern, a volunteer flag football coach, and a small group leader for Northwestern’s Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) chapter.

Bennett’s commitment to use her platform to serve others is rooted in her faith in Christ. She knows there can be no higher calling than to love Him and love others. And although she was around Christianity growing up, it wasn’t until she arrived at Northwestern — a private Christian school — that her relationship with Jesus flourished. Bennett first enrolled at NWC to join the football team, but once on campus and with her teammates, she has found an encouraging community that points her to Christ.

“Northwestern really gives you the opportunity to make your faith your own and take ownership of your relationship with Christ,” she said in a video for the school. “I didn’t realize how important it was until I came to Northwestern, because there’s a lot of colleges that will say that they’re Christian, but it’s so intentional here.”

Many of Bennett’s posts on social media focus on Every Kick Counts and her passion for supporting the cause, but she has also posted about her faith.

 

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A post shared by Gianna Bennett (@gianna_bennett28)

With two seasons of eligibility remaining after this season, Bennett is on track to surpass the record for most points scored by a woman in college football. The record is 100 by Lebanon Valley College’s Brittany Ryan. Bennett currently ranks third with 70.

Her next opportunity to draw closer to the record, and more importantly to raise more money for a cause so near and dear to her heart, will be Saturday at 2 p.m. ET when the Raiders travel to Hastings, Nebraska, to take on Hastings College.

>> Do you know Christ personally? Learn how you can commit your life to Him. <<

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