Bearcats No. 3 in national preseason football poll

MARYVILLE — The Northwest Missouri State Bearcats are ranked third in the preseason football poll released by the American Football Coaches Association, on Aug. 15.

The Bearcats received 624 points in the preseason poll, including one first place vote.

Minnesota-Duluth, the defending National Champions, are ranked No. 1 in the poll, receiving 28 of 29 first place votes.

Delta State (Miss.) is second in the preseason poll with 657 points.
Abilene Christian is fourth and Grand Valley State is fifth in the preseason poll.

North Alabama, Texas A&M-Kingsville, Augustana, Albany State and Bloomsburg round out the top 10 in the poll.

Northwest Missouri State was ranked third at the end of last season with a 12-2 record.

Other regional teams ranked in the preseason poll include Central Missouri (No. 15), Nebraska-Kearney (No. 16) and Washburn (No. 18).

Earlier this month, the Bearcats were selected No. 1 in the MIAA Conference Preseason Poll.

Northwest Missouri State's first game of the season will be Sept. 1 when they face Truman State in Kirksville. Their first home game of the season will be Sept. 10 when thy face Sioux Falls.