Contact: Harold Jameson

Date: Sept. 9, 2003

‘Riders Up From 20^th To 16^th In AFCA Poll

Magnolia, Ark.—Southern Arkansas University moved up four notches from 20^th to 16^th in the American Football Coaches Association Poll after an opening 27-24 win last week in Stephenville, Tex., over 14^th-ranked Tarleton State University. Tarleton plunged to 25^th after their three-point setback.

Defending Division II national champion Grand Valley State remains in first place after opening with a hard-earned 9-6 win over the University of California-Davis, which moved up from Division II to I-AA this year. Gulf South Conference champion Valdosta State University, last year’s national runnerup, remains in second place after bombing Division I-AA Florida Atlantic 45-17, which was nationally ranked.

A third GSC team in the AFCA poll’s Top 25 is the University of Central Arkansas, ranked just ahead of SAU at number 15. UCA defeated Abilene Christian University, ranked 23^rd last week, 30-12. ACU, a member of the Lone Star Conference along with Tarleton, fell out of the rankings.

The GSC won 10 of 11 games last week and has won five of six over LSC rivals this young season. The AFCA Poll is recognized as the official poll in Division II football.