After last week’s blowout win Northwest Missouri State University has jumped one spot to No. 2 in the latest AFCA Top 25 poll released on Monday.

The Bearcats again received one fist place vote to sit one spot behind defending national champion, Minnesota-Duluth, who posted a, 20-12 victory over then-No. 8 Augustana last week. The Bulldogs received 28 of the 29 first place votes to hold onto the top spot.

Close behind Northwest is Abilene Christian, moving up one spot to No. 3, followed by Grand Valley State at No. 4 and North Alabama to round out the top five. North Alabama and Abilene Christian meet in two weeks in a top five showdown at Cowboys Stadium in Dallas.

Texas A&M-Kingsville checks in at No. 6, as Albany State moves up to No. 7, followed by Shepherd at No. 8. Closing out the top 10 is Bloomsburg at No. 9 and St. Cloud State at No. 10. Delta State fell from No. 2 to No. 11 after losing to FCS member Northwestern State on Saturday.

A trio of MIAA teams accompany the Bearcats in the top 25 with Central Missouri moving from 15th to 12th, and Washburn moving up from No. 18 to No. 15. Also making their first appearance in almost two seasons in the top 25 is Pittsburg State. The Gorillas check in at No. 25 after a, 34-7 win over Missouri Western.

Northwest opens their home schedule this weekend playing host to Sioux Falls. USF is 0-1 on the young season after falling to Washburn last week. Kick-off from Bearcat Stadium is slated for 6 p.m.

— NWMSU Sports Information —