Football | 10/18/2016 9:12:00 AM

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – The University of Sioux Falls Football Team (7-0), which leads the nation in total offense, is ranked #6 for the second straight week in the 2016 D2Football.com Poll, which was released today.

USF, directed by seventh-year head coach Jed Stugart (60-16), has been ranked for 30 consecutive weeks in the D2Football.com Poll. Sioux Falls, which sits at the top of the NSIC at 7-0 including 3-0 in the South Division, has won 27 of its last 31 games and reached the NCAA DII playoffs for the first time a year ago. USF has been ranked in the top-10 of the D2Football.com Poll in three straight polls. Prior to that, the last time USF was in the top 10 of D2Football.com's poll was Nov. 3, 2015.  On Monday, USF was also ranked #6 in the AFCA Coaches Poll.
 
In the D2Football.com Poll, defending national champion Northwest Missouri State (7-0) was #1 and followed by Grand Valley State (7-0). The NSIC had three teams ranked, with USF the highest at #6 followed by Minnesota Duluth (6-1) at #14 and Bemidji State (6-1) up one spot to #20.

USF, with nine or more wins in three of its four years at NCAA DII, has been ranked in every D2Football.com poll since September 2014. The Cougars, which have won 180 games since the turn of the Century (16 years), lead NCAA DII with 560.1 total yards per game, including 354.6 yards rushing per game, which ranks second nationally.

On Saturday, USF generated 411 yards in total offense, including 251 yards rushing, as they defeated Winona State, 41-30 on the road.  Leading the way was two-time Harlon Hill candidate Luke Papilion who completed 14-of-20 passes for 160 yards and had 52 yards rushing and two TDs. Junior Max Mickey, who leads the nation in yards per carry (10.03) and ranks fourth in rushing (147.6 yards per game, 100-1,033-10 TDs), had 91 yards and two TDs with Justin Fulks adding 86 yards and a TD.  
 
USF will host to Concordia-St. Paul (2-5, 0-3 NSIC South) at noon Saturday at Bob Young Field.

D2Football.com Poll – Regular Season #7
(Place, school, record, previous ranking)
1. Northwest Missouri State, 7-0, 1
2. Grand Valley State (Mich.), 7-0, 2
3. North Alabama, 4-1, 3
4. Shepherd (W. Va.), 6-0, 4
5. Midwestern State (Texas), 6-0, 5
6. Sioux Falls, 7-0, 6
7. Emporia State (Kan.), 6-1, 7
8. Ashland (Ohio), 6-1, 8
9. Texas A&M Commerce, 5-1, 9
10. Tuskegee (Ala.), 6-0, 10
11. California (Pa.), 6-0, 11
12. Harding (Ark.), 7-0, 12
13. Indiana (Pa.), 5-1, 13
14. Minnesota Duluth, 6-1, 14
15. Central Missouri, 5-2, 15
16. Valdosta State, 5-1, 16
17. Henderson State (Ark.), 6-1, 18
18. LIU-Post (N.Y.), 7-0, 19
19.  Azusa Pacific (Calif.), 6-1, 20
20. Bemidji State (Minn.), 6-1, 21
21. Ferris State (Mich.), 5-2, 24
22. Wayne State (Mich.), 6-1, 25
23. North Carolina-Pembroke, 6-1, NR
24. Florida Tech, 5-1, NR
25. Fairmont State (Va.), 7-0, NR