WACO, TEX.– The Carson-Newman Eagles climbed three spots to No. 17 in this week's American Football Coaches Association Poll, released Monday afternoon.
Carson-Newman ran past visiting Fayetteville State (N.C.) on Thursday night in their home opener, 56-7.
C-N comes in at No. 17 in this week's poll, receiving 273 points, 17 behind Kutztown (Pa.).
The Eagles have climbed 10 spots in two weeks after being unranked in the preseason poll for the first time in the poll's history. They are also the only South Atlantic Conference team to receive a vote in the poll.
Carson-Newman returns to action on Saturday night at Lenoir-Rhyne University in Hickory, N.C. Kickoff is at 7 p.m. in Moretz Stadium. The Bears lost this past Saturday to Division I Davidson College, 28-10.
Hillsdale (Mich.) pulled a 34-31 upset victory over then-No. 4 Grand Valley State (Mich.), causing the Lakers to slideto No. 15 in this week's AFCA Division II Coaches' Top 25 Poll. But that wasn't the biggest drop as unranked Missouri Western State beat then-No. 12 Central Missouri, 23-6, causing the Mules to fall 12 spots to No. 24.
Minnesota-Duluth still holds down the top spot, followed by No. 2 Northwest Missouri State, No. 3 Abilene Christian (Texas), new No. 4 North Alabama and new No. 5 Texas A&M-Kingsville. Abilene Christian and North Alabama will meet this coming Saturday at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas, which highlights three Top 25 matchups this week.
In the other two matchups, No. 6 Albany State (Ga.) plays host to No. 12 Valdosta State (Ga.) while No. 22 Michigan Tech travels to No. 14 Wayne State (Mich.).