Evangel breaks into NAIA Coaches Poll

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- The Evangel University football team is nationally ranked for the first time this season as they are placed at 21^st in this week’s NAIA Top 25 Coaches’ Poll. 

The Crusaders (4-2, 3-1) are in the top 25 for the first time since Sept. 26 of last year when they appeared at #25 in the poll. Evangel’s 21^st nationally ranking is the highest spot they have had in the poll since they were ranked 6^th in the 2006 preseason and it is the program’s highest in-season rating since 2005 when they were ranked 10^th on Nov. 13, 2005.
 
Evangel is one of five Heart of America conference teams ranked in the top 25. Missouri Valley (5-0, 4-0) is ranked #3, MidAmerica Nazarene (4-1, 4-1) is #10, Benedictine (5-1, 3-1) is #12 and Baker (5-2, 4-2) is #18.
 

Evangel hosts Peru State in the Crusaders’ Homecoming on Saturday. Kickoff is 1:30 p.m. at JFK Stadium.

Complete NAIA Top 25:
1. Marian (Ind.)
2. Georgetown (Ky.)
3. Missouri Valley
4. Morningside (Iowa)
5. William Penn (Iowa)
6. Saint Xavier (Ill.)
7. Saint Francis (Ind.)
8. Carroll (Mont.)
9. Cumberlands (Ky.)
10. MidAmerica Nazarene (Kan.)
11. Northwestern (Iowa)
12. Benedictine (Kan.)
13. Montana Tech     
14. Grand View (Iowa)     
15. St. Ambrose (Iowa)     
16. Cumberland (Tenn.)     
17. Hastings (Neb.)
18. Baker (Kan.)     
19. Dakota Wesleyan (S.D.)
20. St. Francis (Ill.)     
21. Evangel (Mo.)
22. Doane (Neb.)
23. Robert Morris (Ill.)
24. Tabor (Kan.)
25. Friends (Kan.)