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BOLIVAR, Mo. — The Southwest Baptist University football team will begin the 2017 season ranked #18 in the NCAA Division II as released by the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) Preseason Coaches Poll. The ranking is the second highest ever ranking in program history.
The Bearcats finished the 2016 season 10-2, earning their first ever conference championship and NCAA Playoff appearance. SBU returns several key players from an offense that ranked 10th in the NCAA Division II a season ago, led by GLVC Player of the Year TJ Edwards. Last season Edwards threw for 3,242 yards with 34 touchdowns to only 7 interceptions, while also gaining 685 yards and 10 touchdowns on the ground.
Edwards’ two main receiving threats also return for the 2017 season. Kendrick Payne, a 1st Team All-GLVC selection a season ago, hauled in 1,075 yards and 13 touchdowns, while 2nd Team All-GLVC selection Cassian Foreman had 872 yards receiving and 7 touchdowns.
In total the Bearcats return 17 starters off of last year’s squad, including Edwards, Payne, Foreman, Sammy Zeqiraj, Connor Still, D’Angelo Tucker, Brayden Byrd, Brycen Gagnon, Mygeish Dennis, and Quinlan Gaines who were all either 1st or 2nd Team All-GLVC honorees last season.
