OGDEN, Utah (Sept. 10, 2018) – It was another exciting weekend for Big Sky football in Week 2, and after some good wins, the league has earned five spots in the Top 25 of the FCS STATS and four in the AFCA Coaches’ polls this week.
Eastern Washington continues to lead the way for the Big Sky. After a five-point win over fellow Top 25 foe Northern Arizona on the road, the Eagles remain in the No. 5 spot in the AFCA poll and No. 6 in the FCS STATS poll with no change from last week. The Eagles rank first in the FCS in total offense (623.5 ypg) and second in team passing efficiency (213.9).
Weber State bounced back this past weekend with a 24-17 win over Cal Poly. The Wildcats, ranked second in the Big Sky preseason polls, dropped one spot in the FCS STATS poll to No. 11 and remain at No. 13 in the AFCA poll.
Montana defeated Drake, 48-16, to improve to 2-0 on the season. The Griz come in at No. 15 in the FCS STATS poll – one lower than last week – and remain at the No. 16 in the AFCA poll. Montana is one of three Big Sky teams that remain undefeated this season.
Northern Arizona fell in a nail biter to No. 6/5 Eastern Washington last week. The Lumberjacks fell two spots in each poll, sliding down to 20th in the FCS STATS poll and 22nd in the AFCA Coaches’ Poll.
Arriving in the FCS STATS Top 25 poll are the Aggies of UC Davis. After starting the season 2-0 with wins over San Jose State and San Diego, the Aggies are ranked No. 23. UCD fell just short of earning a spot in the AFCA Coaches’ Top 25 coming in at No. 26. The Aggies rank second in the FCS in scoring offense (49.0), third in passing offense (411.0 ypg), and fifth in total offense at 530.5 yards per game.
With two weeks of play in the books for the 2018 season, the Big Sky has five teams ranked in the Top 25 polls. It’s the first time since Week 1 of the 2016 season that the league has had five teams ranked in the FCS STATS Top 25 poll.
Other Big Sky teams receiving votes were Sacramento State, Montana State, Idaho, and Southern Utah.
The STATS FCS Top 25 for Sept. 10:
- North Dakota State (1-0), 3,970 points – 154 first-place votes
Previous Ranking: 1; Last Week’s Result: Bye
- James Madison (1-1), 3,744 – 2 first-place votes
Previous Ranking: 2; Last Week’s Result: 17-0 win over Norfolk State
- South Dakota State (1-0), 3,602
Previous Ranking: 3; Last Week’s Result: 45-14 win over Montana State
- North Carolina A&T (3-0), 3,280 – 3 first-place votes
Previous Ranking: 5; Last Week’s Result: 45-6 win over Gardner-Webb
- Sam Houston State (1-0), 3,217
Previous Ranking: 4; Last Week’s Result: 41-32 win over Prairie View A&M
- Eastern Washington (2-0), 3,097
Previous Ranking: 6; Last Week’s Result: 31-26 win over Northern Arizona
- Kennesaw State (1-1), 2,931
Previous Ranking: 7; Last Week’s Result: 49-10 win over Tennessee Tech
- Wofford (2-0), 2,673
Previous Ranking: 8; Last Week’s Result: 59-14 win over VMI
- Samford (1-1), 2,557
Previous Ranking: 9; Last Week’s Result: 36-26 loss to Florida State
- Villanova (2-0), 2,436
Previous Ranking: 12; Last Week’s Result: 31-9 win over Lehigh
- Weber State (1-1), 2,332
Previous Ranking: 10; Last Week’s Result: 24-17 win over Cal Poly
- Jacksonville State (1-1), 2,026
Previous Ranking: 13; Last Week’s Result: 71-0 win over Mississippi Valley State
- Nicholls (1-1), 1,959
Previous Ranking: 11; Last Week’s Result: 42-17 loss to Tulane
- Elon (1-1), 1,842
Previous Ranking: 15; Last Week’s Result: 45-7 win over Furman
- Montana (2-0), 1,819
Previous Ranking: 14; Last Week’s Result: 48-16 win over Drake
- McNeese (2-0), 1,471
Previous Ranking: 16; Last Week’s Result: 51-34 win over Houston Baptist
- Maine (2-0), 1,388
Previous Ranking: 22; Last Week’s Result: 31-28 win over Western Kentucky
- Central Arkansas (1-1), 1,305
Previous Ranking: 17; Last Week’s Result: 26-13 win over Murray State
- Illinois State (2-0), 1,100
Previous Ranking: 19; Last Week’s Result: 48-10 win over Eastern Illinois
- Northern Arizona (1-1), 845
Previous Ranking: 18; Last Week’s Result: 31-26 loss to Eastern Washington
- Northern Iowa (0-1), 761
Previous Ranking: 21; Last Week’s Result: Bye
- South Dakota (1-1), 730
Previous Ranking: 23; Last Week’s Result: 43-28 win over Northern Colorado
- UC Davis (2-0), 617
Previous Ranking: NR; Last Week’s Result: 54-21 win over San Diego
- Stony Brook (1-1), 498
Previous Ranking: 24; Last Week’s Result: 50-21 win over Bryant
- Rhode Island (2-0), 358
Previous Ranking: NR; Last Week’s Result: 45-26 win over Albany
Dropped Out: New Hampshire and Furman
Others Receiving Votes: Austin Peay 225, Colgate 184, Delaware 154, Yale 115, New Hampshire 88, Sacramento State 71, Furman 39, Montana State 36, Richmond 33, Butler 27, Monmouth 17, Tennessee State 16, North Alabama 14, Western Illinois 13, San Diego 13, Idaho 11, Prairie View A&M 11, Chattanooga 10, North Dakota 9, Southern Utah 8, Southeastern Louisiana 7, Southern Illinois 5, Lehigh 4, Northwestern State 2, Sacred Heart 2, Western Carolina 2, Howard 1
