Bearcats Take Over #15 in AFCA Coaches Poll

By Robert McKinney, Athletics Communications Director, (503) 370-6110

SALEM, ORE. -- Willamette University is one position higher this week at #15 in the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) NCAA Division III Poll released on Tuesday, Oct. 21. The Bearcats, 7-0 overall and 3-0 in the Northwest Conference, defeated Pacific Lutheran University, 45-18, this past weekend.

Up next for the Bearcats is a key NWC match-up with Linfield College on Saturday, Oct. 25 in McMinnville, Ore. Game time is set for 1:30 p.m. (PDT). Linfield, 4-1, moved into the AFCA Coaches Poll at #25 this week

The #1 team in the poll remained Mount Union College (Ohio), now 6-0 on the season. Mount Union received 30 of 40 first place votes ant 990 total points. The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, 6-0, continued to hold the #2 spot on the strength of 10 first place votes and 968 points in the poll. The University of Mary Hardin-Baylor, also 6-0, stayed at #3 and received 912 points. Muhlenberg College (Pa.), 7-0, moved up one position to #4 and had 821 points. Wabash College (Ohio), 6-0, dropped one spot to #5 with 818 points.

Willamette is one of 19 undefeated teams in this week's poll. Linfield and four other teams have one loss, while the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire has two losses (5-2) and is ranked #24.