For the first time in program history, the Southwest Baptist University football team has broken into the top 25 in the AFCA Division II Coaches Poll. The Bearcats are currently ranked #20, receiving 148 points, and are the only GLVC team appearing in the polls.
“This is exciting news for our football program,” Director of Athletics Mike Pitts stated. “Coach Clardy and his staff have worked very hard for the last few years – and it’s beginning to pay off in the polls. We are obviously proud of what they are doing – and look forward to the big games left on our schedule.”
The Bearcats are coming off of an impressive 35-7 victory over McKendree, who was also receiving votes in last week’s AFCA NCAA Division II Coaches Poll. The win propelled SBU to their best start ever (5-0), while also tying the longest win streak in program history (7 games).
SBU will face another tough opponent on Saturday, October 8 when they host Truman State (4-1, 3-0 GLVC) at 1:00 p.m. from Plaster Stadium in Bolivar.
Below is the complete AFCA Division II Coaches Poll:
| Rank | School (1st votes) | Rec. | Pts. | Prev. |
| 1. | Northwest Missouri St. (30) | 5-0 | 750 | 1 |
| 2. | Grand Valley St. (MI) | 5-0 | 717 | 2 |
| 3. | Shepherd (WV) | 4-0 | 684 | 4 |
| 4. | Texas A&M-Commerce | 4-0 | 655 | 6 |
| 5. | Henderson St. (AR) | 5-0 | 623 | 7 |
| 6. | Indiana (PA) | 4-0 | 574 | 8 |
| 7. | Midwestern St. (TX) | 4-0 | 564 | 10 |
| 8. | Tuskegee (AL) | 5-0 | 528 | 11 |
| 9. | Sioux Falls (SD) | 5-0 | 474 | 12 |
| 10. | Azusa Pacific (CA) | 5-0 | 436 | 14 |
| 11. | North Alabama | 3-1 | 421 | 18 |
| 12. | West Georgia | 4-1 | 387 | 3 |
| 13. | Colorado Mesa | 5-0 | 380 | 17 |
| 14. | Ferris St. (MI) | 4-1 | 352 | 13 |
| 15. | California (PA) | 4-0 | 315 | 24 |
| 16. | Harding (AR) | 5-0 | 312 | 20 |
| 17. | Ashland (OH) | 4-1 | 305 | 5 |
| 18. | Emporia St. (KS) | 4-1 | 208 | 23 |
| 19. | Slippery Rock (PA) | 4-1 | 185 | 9 |
| 20. | Southwest Baptist (MO) | 5-0 | 148 | NR |
| 21. | LIU-Post (NY) | 5-0 | 134 | NR |
| 22. | Assumption (MA) | 4-1 | 94 | 15 |
| 23. | Florida Tech | 4-1 | 90 | 16 |
| 24. | North Carolina-Pembroke | 4-1 | 81 | 21 |
| T25. | Bemidji St. (MN) | 4-1 | 73 | NR |
| T25. | Valdosta St. (GA) | 3-1 | 73 | NR |
| Others Receiving Votes: Wayne St. (MI), 64; Minnesota-Duluth, 55; Pittsburg St. (KS), 39; Fort Hays St. (KS), 8; Central Missouri, 5; Notre Dame (OH), 5; Bloomsburg (PA), 4; Newberry (SC), 4; Southern Arkansas, 2; Colorado School of Mines, 1. |
