ENMU football team ranked No. 24 in AFCA poll

The Eastern New Mexico University football team has seen some reward for its solid all-around effort Saturday against Tarleton State.

Two days after their 24-15 road win over Tarleton, fueled by forcing three Texan turnovers, the Greyhounds returned to the AFCA Division II Coaches Top 25, released by the Associated Press on Monday.

Saturday’s victory in Stephensville, Texas was an impressive one, especially for the ENMU defense. Two of the turnovers created by the Hounds led to Eastern touchdowns. Offensively, ENMU ground Tarleton State’s defense into a pulp, smashing out 323 rushing yards compared to just 22 for the Texans.

Resulting from Saturday’s performance, the Greyhounds improved to 6-1, 5-1 in Lone Star Conference play.

The AFCA poll listed Eastern with 66 points, two ahead of 25th-ranked Southeastern Oklahoma State.

Northwest Missouri (7-0) remained No. 1 with 850 points. The top four, actually, stayed intact, with Shepherd (6-0, 791 points) still at No. 2, Indiana Pa. ( 7-0, 782 points) at No. 3, and Minnesota State (7-0, 754 points) at No. 4.

ENMU has a bye next weekend before returning to action on Oct. 28 with a 7 p.m. home game against Texas A&M-Kingsville.

AFCA Division II Coaches Poll

By The Associated Press

Through Oct. 15

Record Pts Pvs

1. NW Missouri State (34) 7-0 850 1

2. Shepherd 6-0 791 2

3. Indiana (Pa) 7-0 782 3

4. Minnesota State 7-0 754 4

5. Midwestern State 5-0 682 6

6. Indianapolis 7-0 678 5

7. Grand Valley State 6-1 635 7

8. Fort Hays State 7-0 616 8

9. Central Washington 7-0 572 10

10. Texas A&M-Commerce 5-1 541 11

11. Winona State 7-0 494 13

12. Ferris State 5-1 424 15

13. Ashland 6-1 423 16

14. Assumption 6-0 406 17

15. Sioux Falls 6-1 352 18

16. Colorado Mesa 6-1 307 20

17. Slippery Rock 6-1 288 9

18. West Alabama 6-1 271 23

19. Delta State 6-1 263 21

20. Wingate 6-0 243 24

21. Virginia State 6-0 165 NR

22. Humboldt State 5-1 154 25

23. Bowie State 6-1 95 14

24. Eastern New Mexico 6-1 66 NR

25. SE Oklahoma State 6-1 64 19

Others Receiving Votes: Colorado State-Pueblo, 46; Notre Dame (OH), 28; California (Pa), 16; Findlay, 16; Central Missouri, 15; West Georgia, 11; Virginia Union, 1; Washburn, 1.