William Penn 15th Following Loss

William Penn University Athletics

Oskaloosa–The Statesmen football team is unfortunately in a familiar position entering the final week of the season–on the playoff bubble–as the NAIA’s ninth top-25 poll was released today.

William Penn (8-2, 4-1 MWL) fell five positions to #15 after its 20-17 setback to now #10 St. Ambrose last week. The team is also now the third-best team from the Midwest League, behind the Fighting Bees and #9 Grand View. St. Francis (Ill.) also represents the MWL at #24.

Courtesy of a 23-6 upset by Saint Xavier over Marian (Ind.), Georgetown (Ky.) is the third #1 this year (314 points and 13 first-place votes). It is the team’s first time on top since 2002. Missouri Valley is now second (one first-place vote, while Morningside is third. Saint Xavier and Marian round out the top five.

With its season on the line, William Penn hosts Grand View Saturday at 1 p.m. A victory would cause at least a two-way tie atop the conference standings and would possibly ensure the navy and gold a trip to the playoffs.

NAIA Football Rating #9 – November 5, 2012
(Number in parentheses is first-place votes)
1. Georgetown (Ky.) (13)
2. Missouri Valley (1)
3. Morningside
4. Saint Xavier (Ill.)
5. Marian (Ind.)
6. St. Francis (Ind.)
7. Montana Tech
8. Cumberlands (Ky.)
9. Grand View
10. St. Ambrose
11. MidAmerica Nazarene (Kan.)
12. Southern Oregon
12. Baker (Kan.)
14. Northwestern
15. William Penn
16. Ottawa (Kan.)
17. Tabor (Kan.)
18. Bethel (Kan.)
19. Evangel (Mo.)
20. Doane (Neb.)
21. Cumberland (Tenn.)
22. Carroll (Mont.)
23. Bacone (Okla.)
24. St. Francis (Ill.)
25. Benedictine (Kan.)

Others receiving votes: Valley City State (N.D.) 21; Hastings (Neb.) 7; Robert Morris (Ill.) 5.