FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Clark Teuscher, Sports Information Director, 630-637-5302

AFCA Coaches' Top 25 Poll

Sep. 21, 2015 - The North Central College football team is ranked No. 22 in the first NCAA Division III Top 25 Coaches' Poll released for the 2015 season by the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA).

The Cardinals (1-1), who are also ranked 22nd in the most recent Top 25 Poll released by D3football.com, received 201 points in the AFCA's voting after Saturday's 35-28 overtime loss at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville. The defending national champion, the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, received 36 of the 42 first-place votes and 1,041 points to claim the No. 1 spot in the poll. The University of Mount Union (Ohio) is ranked second, followed by the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor (Texas), Linfield College (Ore.) and Wesley College (Del.)

North Central is one of two College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) teams ranked in the top 25, joining seventh-ranked Wheaton College. The Cardinals host Wheaton for the 68th annual Battle for the Little Brass Bell during Homecoming Weekend on Oct. 24.

North Central hosts Wesley on Saturday in its final game before beginning CCIW play. Kickoff at Benedetti-Wehrli Stadium is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. Links to live audio, video and in-game statistics are available by clicking HERE.

The North Central athletic department will be partnering with the Northern Illinois Food Bank to conduct a Feed Our Hungry Neighbors Game Day Food Drive in Chamipionship Plaza prior to game time on Saturday. Canned goods and non-perishable food items will be collected, with free giveaways available for those who donate. For more information, visit www.jumpforfood.com.