Posted by Jay Stancil - Mon, Oct 5, 2009 - [ Football ] - Viewed 272 times

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Following a 31-0 shutout victory last weekend, Union College moved up one spot to No. 17 in the fourth regular-season NAIA Football Top 25 Coaches' Poll, the NAIA announced Monday.

The Bulldogs (3-2 overall, 2-1 Mid-South Conference East) garnered 146 total points, 26 fewer than No. 16 Hastings (Neb.) University and six more than No. 18 McPherson (Kan.) College.

The top nine schools hold their spots in the NAIA Football Top 25 Coaches' Poll. Sioux Falls (S.D.) is voted No. 1 for the seventh straight poll, dating back to the 2008 Postseason Top 25 Poll (Jan. 12). Earning 18 first-place votes, Sioux Falls stands 5-0 overall and has won 19 consecutive games. The Cougars are at Briar Cliff (Iowa) this Thursday (Oct. 8). This year, Sioux Falls holds a 306-25 scoring advantage and has two straight shutouts.

Carroll held strong to the No. 2 position after a 37-17 win over then-No. 19 Eastern Oregon last Saturday. With 426 total points this week and one first-place vote, Carroll is 6-0 this season. For the seventh straight poll, the Fighting Saints hold the second ranking.

Maintaining its No. 2 scoring offense after a 59-17 victory, Lindenwood (Mo.) is ranked No. 3 this week. The Lions finished with 409 total points in the poll. No. 4 Saint Francis (Ind.) and No. 5 Morningside (Iowa) both scored huge wins over the weekend to stay in their respective spots.

No. 23 Black Hills State (S.D.) finds itself in the Top 25 for the first time since Oct. 20, 2008 (No. 17). No. 25 (tie) Central Methodist (Mo.) is mentioned in the Top 25 for the first time since Sept. 14, 2004 (No. 21 - tie). Going back the farthest since being ranked is No. 25 (tie) Bethany (Kan.), which last held a Top 25 ranking on Nov. 5, 2002 (No. 24).

The poll was voted upon by a panel of head coaches representing each of the conferences and independents. The next Top 25 Poll will be announced on Monday, Oct. 12.

Union returns to action Saturday when it will pay University of the Cumberlands (Ky.) a visit. Kickoff is set for 1:30 p.m.

To view the entire poll, click here.

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