Statesmen Ranked 15th in Postseason Rating

William Penn University Athletics

Oskaloosa–William Penn is the 15th-best football squad in the NAIA as the postseason poll was released earlier this week.

The Statesmen (9-3, 6-1 MWL), who earned 155 points, finished 2012 with a 31-0 loss to eventual semifinalist Saint Xavier (Ill.) in the first round of the Football Championship Series in November.

Marian (Ind.) is the top program after claiming its first national title with a 30-27 overtime win over Morningside in last Thursday’s championship game. The Knights earned 314 points and all 14 first-place votes. Missouri Valley, Saint Xavier, and Southern Oregon wrap up the top five.

St. Ambrose, at #10, and Grand View, at #17, also represent the Midwest League. St. Ambrose was also knocked out of the NAIA playoffs in the first round.

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

Others receiving votes: Robert Morris (Ill.) 12, Nebraska Wesleyan 5.