Northwest Missouri State among top teams taking tumble in AFCA poll

MARYVILLE, Mo. — Four of last week’s top 10 teams lost Saturday, which caused a severe shake up in the American Football Coaches’ Association (AFCA) poll.

Northwest Missouri State was previously ranked third, but fell to No. 13 after Saturday’s 31-21 loss at Central Missouri.

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The Bearcats fell to 1-1 on the season and 0-1 in the MIAA after Saturday’s loss to the Mules. It was the team’s first loss to Central Missouri since 2003.

Previously ranked Nos. 3, 4, 5 and 9 teams all dropped at least 10 spots in the latest poll, with Wayne State (Mich.) dropping from No. 5 to No. 19 after a 7-0 loss to previously unranked Ashland (Ohio).

Pittsburg State held onto the No. 1 spot after a 34-19 win against Central Oklahoma, followed by Minnesota-Duluth at No. 2. New teams moving into the top five included Colorado State-Pueblo at No. 3, Grand Valley State checking in at No. 4 and Winston-Salem State rounding out the new AFCA top five.

MIAA rivals Missouri Western and Washburn each moved into the top 10 after blowout wins last week. The Griffons moved to No. 8 while the Ichabods check in at No. 9.