SIOUX FALLS. -- The University of Sioux Falls Football Team, which is 5-0 with a 222-to-79 point differential in 2015, remained #4 in the D2Football.com NCAA Division II Top-25 Poll, according to an announcement today by D2Football.com.
USF, which defeated Wayne State, 59-10, on the road Saturday for a eighth consecutive win, is ranked for a sixth straight poll in the D2Football.com's top 10. After being picked #10 in the website's preseason poll, the Cougars moved up a spot to #9 in the first regular season poll and then jumped three spots to #6 after week two. In week three, USF moved into the top five (#5) for the first time and jumped one more spot after week four play.
The Cougars, directed by six-year USF head coach Jed Stugart (49-13), are among two NSIC teams ranked in the top five. Minnesota State-Mankato (5-0), which travels to Bob Young Field on Nov. 7 to play USF, was ranked #1 and ahead of #2 West Georgia (5-0), #3 Ferris State (4-0), #4 Sioux Falls and #5 Northwest Missouri State (5-0).
With the #4 spot in the D2Football.com poll, and a #5 ranking in both the AFCA Coaches Poll and David Boyce's D2 power rankings at NCAA.com, USF is ranked in the top-5 in three D2 national polls for the first time.
Led by Harlon Hill candidate Luke Papilion, who completed a season-high 20-of-31 passes for a season-best 311 yards with five combined TDs (three by pass), the Cougars defeated Wayne State on Saturday. All-American cornerback Solomon St. Pierre tied a school record with his 18th career interception, a pick-six which he returned 77-yards for a TD in the third quarter. With the win, USF has now won 17-of-18 games and run its road NSIC mark to 13-6.
USF will host Winona State (3-2) on homecoming at 6 p.m. Saturday at Bob Young Field.
2015 D2Football.com – Week 5
1. Minnesota State, 5-0
2. West Georgia, 5-0
3. Ferris State, 4-0
4. Sioux Falls, 5-0
5. Northwest Missouri State, 5-0
6. North Alabama, 4-0
7. CSU-Pueblo, 4-1
8. Colorado Mines, 5-0
9. Pittsburg State (Kan.), 4-1
10. Delta State (Miss.), 4-1
11. Michigan Tech, 4-0
12. Texas A&M Commerce, 4-1
13. Lenoir-Rhyne (N.C.), 4-1
14. Ashland (Ohio), 5-0
15. Minnesota Duluth, 3-2
16. Shepherd (W. Va.), 4-0
17. Valdosta State, 3-1
18. Humboldt State (Calif.), 4-0
19. Emporia State (Kan.), 5-0
20. Ouachita Baptist (Ark.), 4-1
21. Angelo State (Texas), 4-1
22. Harding (Ark.), 4-1
23. Grand Valley State (Mich.), 4-1
24. Central Missouri, 3-2
25. Slippery Rock (Pa.), 4-1
