NEWARK, Del. -- The red-hot University of Delaware football team, which picked up its third straight victory with a dominating 49-21 triumph over Towson Saturday afternoon, moved up in the national polls again this week, increasing four spots to No. 19 in The Sports Network poll and moving into the Top 25 in the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision Coaches Poll with a No. 23 showing.
The Blue Hens (5-2, 3-2 Colonial Athletic Association), who are off this week but will return to action Oct. 31 at home against previously Top 25 ranked James Madison, are among six CAA teams in each of the rankings.
Defending national champion and CAA leader Richmond remained in the top spot in both polls as the Spiders picked up 131 of the 137 first place votes in the TSN polls to finish ahead of No. 2 Montana and garnered all
28 votes in the FCS Coaches poll to stay ahead of Montana.
Delaware earned 977 points in the TSN poll to rank No. 19, the team's highest ranking since a No. 16 showing in the Sept. 9, 2008 poll. The Hens also appear in the FCS Coaches Top 25 for the first time since being picked No. 20 on Oct. 6, 2008.
In the Sports Network poll, Richmond was followed by Montana (5 first place votes), Southern Illinois (1), Villanova, William & Mary, Northern Iowa, Elon, Appalachian State, New Hampshire, and South Carolina in the Top 10. South Dakota State was at No. 11 followed by McNeese State, Jacksonville State, Massachusetts, Stephen F. Austin, Weber State, Colgate, Central Arkansas, Delaware, Cal Poly, Eastern Kentucky, Holy Cross, Liberty, Northern Arizona, and Eastern Illinois. Among the CAA teams also earning votes were James Madison, Hofstra, and Maine.
In the FCS Coaches poll, Richmond was followed by Montana, Southern Illinois, Villanova, William & Mary, Northern Iowa, Elon, New Hampshire, Appalachian State, South Carolina State, McNeese State, Jacksonville State, South Dakota State, Central Arkansas, Weber State, Massachusetts, Colgate, Stephen F. Austin, Cal Poly, Eastern Kentucky, Eastern Washington, Holy Cross, Delaware, Eastern Illinois, and Northern Arizona. James Madison also received votes.
AGATE:
The Sports Network Top 25 Poll for Oct. 18: 1. Richmond (6-0), 3,413 points (131 first place votes); 2. Montana (6-0), 3,191 (5); 3. Southern Illinois (5-1), 3,122 (1); 4. Villanova (6-1), 2,930; 5. William & Mary (5-1), 2,625; 6. Northern Iowa (5-2), 2,619; 7. Elon (5-1), 2,549; 8.
Appalachian State (4-2), 2,361; 9. New Hampshire (5-1), 2,152; 10. South Carolina State (5-1), 1,949; 11. South Dakota State (5-1), 1,687; 12.
McNeese State (4-2), 1,689; 13. Jacksonville State (4-2), 1,687; 14.
Massachusetts (4-2), 1,566; 15. Stephen F. Austin (5-1), 1,541; 16.
Weber State (4-3), 1,428; 17. Colgate (7-0), 1,264; 18. Central Arkansas (4-2), 1,225; 19. DELAWARE (5-2), 977; 20. Cal Poly (3-3), 899; 21.
Eastern Kentucky (4-2), 645; 22. Holy Cross (5-1), 479; 23. Liberty (4-2), 368; 24. Northern Arizona (4-2), 261; 25. Eastern Illinois (5-2), 249.
Next 10 receiving votes: Eastern Washington, 236; James Madison, 216; Prairie View A&M, 213; Florida A&M, 186; Lafayette, 120; Furman, 98; Montana State, 89; Morgan State, 76; Chattanooga, 51; Albany, 38.
