Statesmen Finish Year 12th in NAIA
William Penn University Athletics
Oskaloosa–The Penn football has already begun its grueling offseason workouts, but hopefully a move to #12 nationally will make the grind a little easier as the NAIA’s postseason poll was released today.
Penn (10-1, 6-1 MWL), who earned 163 points in the poll, had a tremendous 2010 campaign, but was the heartbreaking recipient of the ‘First Team Out’ award as it just missed the playoffs. The co-Midwest League champions broke numerous school records and two NAIA marks (total rushing yards and rushing average) this past fall.
The ranking is the highest ever for the program since joining the NAIA in 2001.
Sioux Falls (S.D.) entered the championship series having been ranked #1 for 26 weeks in a row, but the Cougars were denied their third-straight title as Carroll (Mont.) dropped them 10-7 in the title game.
With the crown, Carroll is the postseason #1, while Sioux Falls is second. The remainder of the top five are national semifinalists Saint Xavier (Ill.) and MidAmerica Nazarene (Kan.) as well as St. Francis (Ind.).
Fellow MWL program McKendree is eighth, while St. Francis (Ill.) is unofficially 28th.
The Statesmen remain the second-highest team from the state of Iowa behind #6 Morningside.
NAIA Football Postseason Rating – January 10, 2011
(Number in parentheses is first-place votes)
(Iowa Institutions bolded)
(*2010 Playoff Team)
1. Carroll (Mont.) (14)*
2. Sioux Falls (S.D.)*
3. Saint Xavier (Ill.)*
4. MidAmerica Nazarene (Kan.)*
5. St. Francis (Ind.)*
6. Morningside*
7. Marian (Ind.)*
8. McKendree (Ill.)*
9. Lindenwood (Mo.)*
10. Dickinson State (N.D.)*
11. McPherson (Kan.)*
12. William Penn
13. Ottawa (Kan.)*
14. Georgetown (Ky.)*
15. Azusa Pacific (Calif.)*
15. Northwestern Oklahoma State*
17. Missouri Valley
18. Northwestern
19. Cumberlands (Ky.)*
20. South Dakota Mines & Tech
21. Midland (Neb.)
22. Kansas Wesleyan
23. Cumberland (Tenn.)
24. Southern Nazarene (Okla.)
25. Webber International (Fla.)
Others receiving votes: Walsh (Ohio) 12; Sterling (Kan.) 8; St. Francis (Ill.) 7; Baker (Kan.) 6; Benedictine (Kan.) 4; Campbellsville (Ky.) 1; Union (Ky.) 1.
Wade Steinlage
