WACO, Texas – The Northwest Missouri State University football team has been ranked first in the 2017 American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) preseason poll. The Bearcats received all 34 first place votes ad 850 points, 85 points clear of second place Grand Valley State with 765. Emporia State was ranked fourth with 652 points. Northwest will host the Hornets on Thursday, Aug. 31, at 7 p.m. in both teams’ season openers.

Central Missouri, who went 9-3 last year, was ranked 21st with 189 points. Pittsburg State received 10 points.

AFCA Preseason Poll
1. Northwest Missouri St.
2. Grand Valley St. (Mich.)
3. Ferris St. (Mich.)
4. Emporia St. (Kan.)
5. Texas A&M-Commerce
6. North Alabama
7. Shepherd (W.Va.)
8. California (Pa.)
9. Indiana (Pa.)
10. Minnesota-Duluth
11. Valdosta St. (Ga.)
12. Colorado St.-Pueblo
13. Azusa Pacific (Calif.)
14. LIU-Post (N.Y.)
15. Harding (Ark.)
16. Colorado School of Mines
17. Sioux Falls (S.D.)
18. Southwest Baptist (Mo.)
19. North Carolina-Pembroke
20. Minnesota St.
21. Central Missouri
22. Southern Arkansas
23. Colorado Mesa
24. Midwestern St. (Texas)
25. Bemidji St. (Minn.)

— Northwest Athletics —